Soil Science, Microbial Technology, Data collection

Job ID: HQ01676

About IRRI

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government.

The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff. Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.

This position is based at Bhubaneswar, Odisha and must only be filled by the permanent residents of India. 

Job Purpose

The incumbent will support the research, training and coordination activities of various projects including regenerative agriculture and natural farming systems focused on soil microbial ecosystems-related projects in India. The incumbent will lead in developing plan, design, and conduct on-station and on-farm trials, and collect data, analysis with 20% engagement and writing reports/manuscript with 80% engagement. Moreover, s/he also need to contribute to various project proposal development related to soil science and related activities at ISARC. Incumbent will provide technical support to project scientists/team in developing the work plan and manage the execution of exposure visits, trainings, fairs, and other extension tools for knowledge dissemination with NARES partners and also help in preparing reports thereof. S/he major work relates to mechanistic understanding of how soil microbes boost plant growth and defense under regenerative and natural farming systems.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Independently develop, manage, and oversee implementation of strategies in accordance with agreed objectives, outputs, and timelines as reflected in approved impact pathway documents on low carbon agriculture, regenerative agriculture and natural farming systems
• Understanding the mechanism of soil microbiome functioning and role in methane emission in paddy cultivation. 
• To manage activities to conduct participatory science and technology evaluations and research across various sites. 
• Manage and guide the implementation of research support activities to ensure timely data collection, management, analysis and dissemination of result and information
• Offers modelling of GHGs emission estimation and know to various models for predicting impact of climate change in carbon and nutrient dynamics and assisting in identifying key indicators for soil microbiology under different landuses
• Finalize draft reports for submission to supervisor and stakeholders and technical literature to disseminate results. 
• Publish and actively contribute to articles in peer-reviewed journals that highlight findings from research and experiment activities showcasing the Institute’s scientific leadership
• Develop training modules/manuals and conduct the training/ exposure visits based on the modules/manuals.
• Identify and develop new microbial-based technologies to support soil carbon sequestration, low carbon farming and regenerative agriculture research targets
• Lead on strengthening partnership with NARES partners, NGOs, other private sector partners, service providers, farmers’ group, and project management team Manage soil science activities at IRRI Varanasi farm and other project sites including preparation, of necessary protocols, data collection, analysis, and interpretation
• Co-lead the ISARC and associated projects activities on related aspects/ themes under the guidance of the supervisor and ISARC Director/technical coordinator
• Lead and support fund generation activities and client relationship management/liaising for ISARC as assigned by Director of ISARC and contribute to proposal writing and creating new opportunities
• Keep tracking of all key performance indicators (KPIs) and initiatives for productivity enhancements.
• Monitor and oversee facilitating capacity development initiatives for extension workers, agro-service professionals, and scientists of different project partners for succession dissemination of RA technologies 
• Contribute to project’s overall nutrient management strategy and research by sharing the relevant information on training and extension material, videos, success stories for media release and any other reports as may be desired from time to time
• Consolidate/synthesize and finalize reports for submission to project leaders and other stakeholders Synthesize research and survey data and publish in reputed international journals
• Capturing lessons learned and success stories and sharing for ongoing impact 
• Experimental, technical, and theoretical components of the research program in soil microbiology and microbial biogeochemistry and technical support to regenerative agriculture, LCA and natural farming systems projects within agreed time, cost, and quality parameters
• Design and implement experimental programs in the lab and in the field for identifying key indicators for soil micro-biological changes under different systems 
• Soil microbiology-based research and innovation, including microbial ecology, plant and soil microbiota, microbial metabolism, microbial nutrient cycling, soil C cycles, biofertilizers and MRV (measurement, reporting and verification) for different projects
• Publishing the strategic and adaptive research findings in impactful international journals

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Soil Science/Agronomy/Microbiology with minimum of 5 years of work experience and publication record in soil microbiological research and its application in agriculture e.g., enhancing biomass and/or soil C, reducing GHG emissions, plant nutrition management, new nutrient solutions/ products, analytic method development and measurement of biogeochemical processes using either of gene markers, metagenomics, stable isotope probing, RNA-based methods including bioinformatics or modelling.

OR

Ph.D. degree in Soil Science/Agronomy/Microbiology with 3 years of experience in soil microbial biogeochemistry, with its application in agriculture e.g., enhancing biomass and/or soil C, reducing GHG emissions, plant nutrition management, new nutrient solutions/ products, analytic method development and measurement of biogeochemical processes using either of gene markers, metagenomics, stable isotope probing, RNA-based methods including bioinformatics or modelling.

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Has extensive work experience in the field of soil microbiology, with a specialization in PGPR and microbial-based technologies to support soil carbon sequestration research targets.
• Design, develop and implement in-vitro assays to study the interaction of beneficial microbes and microbial communities on soil physio-chemical and biological properties related to soil carbon and soil health
• Has strong oral and written communication skills
• Has strong organization and interpersonal skills
• Has strong training and capacity building skills
• Has strong statistical data analysis through R/Python/SPSS/SAS
• Has strong scientific writing skills for reporting and publication

Preferred

• Self Motivated & Team Player
• Excellent analytical writing skills and publication record in international journals with experience in soil microbiology under low carbon agriculture

Allowances:

In addition to the base salary mentioned above, IRRI also offers the following allowances:

House-Rent Allowance: IRRI provides a house rent allowance of 40% of base pay per month.
Transport Allowance: A monthly transport allowance of INR 5,000
Dearness Allowance: One Hundred and Thirteen percent (113%) of employee’s base pay.
Leave Travel Allowance (LTA): One-month base pay per annum, on availing minimum 2 days of vacation leave
Education Allowance: INR 1000/- per child per month (limited 2 children)

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.

Application

Join our team and be part of our story!

Please click HERE to learn more and to apply online.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.