Pdf - Post Doctoral Fellow

ICARDA is seeking a motivated and innovative Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) with strong expertise in methane emission measurements in ruminants. The position is embedded in the project “Low-methane genetics expansion to small ruminants in Africa and Asia”. The successful candidate will contribute to the design, development, management and analysis of methane emission recording in smallholder and pastoral livestock systems across multiple project sites in Ethiopia, India, Mongolia and Tunisia. As a member of ICARDA’s multidisciplinary Resilient Agrosilvopastoral Systems (RASP) team and the PDF will work closely with our small ruminant scientists and project partners to advance low-emission livestock systems through innovative measurement and data-driven approaches.

About ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR. ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For more information: .

Main responsibilities

• Jointly with the small ruminant team, contribute to the design, coordination and implementation of on-farm small ruminant methane emission recording protocols, data management and curation.
• Take a lead in regular statistical analysis of methane emissions and associated data to reveal trends and adjust data collection protocols to ensure scientific rigor.
• Support work package leads in preparation of workplans, progress reports, and other relevant project/program documents.
• Support the project coordinator in organizing and facilitating key project meetings with national and international partners to review progress and agree on specific action points to meet project objectives.
• Supervise and train technical assistants/field data collectors and provide technical backstopping to National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) on methane emissions recording, management, and analysis.
• Keep up to date on developments relating to research on livestock methane emissions and small ruminant breeding through regular literature reviews and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to work in remote field conditions in Ethiopia, India, Mongolia and Tunisia to establish and supervise methane measurements.
• Perform any other duties as required.

Requirements

Education, qualifications, and experience

• A PhD degree in animal science, animal breeding or related discipline.
• Experience with recording methane emissions in livestock in smallholder and pastoral livestock production system is mandatory together with an advanced knowledge of the various existing methods.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the design and implementation of on-farm experiments in smallholder and pastoral livestock systems in developing countries is a must.
• Experience in undertaking research in multi-location/multi country/multi smallholder settings will be a big advantage.
• Working knowledge of database management systems (e.g., SQL, NoSQL) and good skills in data management, analysis and reporting are essential.
• Strong programming skills in Python, R, or similar languages is essential.
• Good publication record in peer-reviewed journals is desirable.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, including communications with farmers and rural communities.

Benefits

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits

This is a project-based internationally recruited staff position for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract from the start date until the end of the project on 30 September 2028, renewable subject to the continued need for the position, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. The first year will be probationary period.

Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization's standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.