Post Doc position – Evaluating the impacts of cropping system innovations in Africa (Bonn, Germany)

Post Doc position – Evaluating the impacts of cropping system innovations in Africa (Bonn, Germany) The Crop Science Group at the Institute of Crop Science and Research Conservation (INRES), and the Centre for Development Research (ZEF), both at University of Bonn, offer a Post Doc position with the major task to evaluate the impacts of innovations in technology and crop management on the productivity of cropping systems in Africa. Main activities of this position will comprise (i) up-scaling cropping system models for large area assessment of major food and cash crops including uncertainty analysis, (ii) application of up-scaled models accounting for present production conditions and potential future changes in technology and crop management, and (iii) linking the up-scaled cropping system models with national and continental scale economic models. The research is embedded within the German initiative to establish green innovation centers in Africa (https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/environment/resourcessustainability/german-initiative-for-green-centres) led by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). We are looking for a highly motivated person to work in an interdisciplinary team in cooperation with ZEF at Bonn and the partners in the “Program of Accompanying Research for Agricultural Innovation” (PARI) in selected countries in Africa. The successful candidate has a PhD degree in agriculture, plant sciences, geo-ecology or related sciences with a background in (preferably tropical) cropping systems or crop production. Expertise in improving and applying crop simulation models is essential. Experiences in the use of geographical information systems, object oriented programming (Java, C#) and skills in database management are an advantage. The ability to travel to Africa is expected and a good command of English is required. We offer a full position paid according to the German regulations for scientists at the Postdoc level (TVL-13). Applicants with more than three years of experiences in scientific research may be eligible for additional upgrades. The contract will be initially for the first phase of the program up to December 2017. The position is available immediately. In keeping with the University’s policy regarding gender equity, female applicants are particularly encouraged. Disabled people with identical qualifications will be favored. Applications (CV, PhD and MSc diplomas and transcript of records, statement of research interests and achievements, list of publications, three names of referees) will be considered until 10th of April 2015 or until the position is filled thereafter and should be sent (by e-mail and containing only one pdf document with a total size of less than 10 MB) to: Prof. Dr. Frank Ewert Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, University of Bonn, Germany (LAP@uni-bonn.de) with a copy to Dr. Detlef Virchow at ZEF (d.virchow@uni-bonn.de). For further information concerning the involved research group you can visit our websites at http://www.lap.uni-bonn.de/home?set_language=en and at http://www.zef.de/