The researcher position is based at CIRAD in the AIDA “Agroecology and sustainable intensification of annual crops” Internal Research Unit (UPR). It focuses on mixed farming and livestock production systems in semi-arid to sub-humid tropical regions.

Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa is heavily affected by climate change. The land sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions on the African continent. By 2050, the population in sub-Saharan Africa will be multiplied by 2.5, tripling demand for cereals. The challenge is therefore to design agricultural systems that are more productive per unit of cultivated area, while ensuring that these systems adapt to climate change and reduce their GHGs emissions. These three objectives are an integral part of “climate-smart” agriculture, which must be based on ecological intensification. “Win-win” situations in terms of adaptation/mitigation objectives are rare, and compromises need to be identified through a multi-criteria & integrated assessment of agricultural practices.

There has been a great deal of research into biogeochemical effects (soil carbon sequestration, GHGs emissions) of farming practices. However, the IPCC has identified a significant lack of knowledge about biogeophysical effects (surface albedo, evapotranspiration, etc.) and their consequences in terms of mitigation and adaptation. Your research work will help to fill this knowledge gap in order to better define agricultural production strategies.

You will measure and model biogeophysical effects under tropical agricultural conditions. This quantification will be based on surface albedo and thermal radiation measurement stations installed in Zimbabwe for a new “rainfall exclusion” trial focusing on extreme rainfall, where around 10 agricultural practices (fertilisation, mulch, cereal-legume associations, etc.) are being evaluated. You will have access to a unique set of data from long-term trials, which will enable you to immediately become familiar with the issues at hand and exploit rare experimental data through scientific publications.

Your activities will include:

1) Continuing & supplementing data acquisition for the trial in Zimbabwe and coordinating agronomic research activities in the field in partnership in Zimbabwe and with French teams (CESBIO & LSCE)

2) Analysing and exploiting data already acquired through scientific publications

3) Continuing to develop collaboration with the STICS soil-crop-atmosphere model team at INRAE and CESBIO, in order to better model surface albedo and energy balance, which could lead you to propose new formalisms to be integrated into the STICS model

4) Participating in the construction of new research projects related to these issues of mitigation and adaptation on the African continent

- PhD in agroclimatology or bioclimatology

- Metrology skills (albedometers, sap flow sensors, capacitive probes, etc.)

- Experience using and developing cropping system models (e.g. STICS, APSIM or DSSAT)

- Proven ability to write scientific publications

- Proficiency in R and/or Python is desirable

- Autonomy and initiative

- High level of adaptability. Experience in a southern country with a view to expatriation to Africa would be a plus

- Ability to analyse and summarise, and good oral and written communication skills

- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in partnership in the North and South

- Fluency in French and scientific and technical English.

Please include in your CV references from previous managers we can contact.

Our strengths

Benefits: You will receive a 13th month’s salary and

social benefits (health insurance, works council, meal vouchers).

If you are geographically mobile abroad, you will benefit from

specific additional allowances depending on your location and

family circumstances. You will also have comprehensive

social insurance cover, regardless of your location.