Data Scientist (Postdoctoral Fellow)

Reports to: The Research Team Leader

Location: Rabat, Morocco or Tunis, Tunisia or Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Main purpose of position

The Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) will be a member of the multidisciplinary Resilient Agrosilvopastoral Systems (RASP) team and work closely with the Social, Economy and Policy (SEP) team. The PDF will develop, manage, analyze, and report databases on different agricultural themes. The successful candidate is expected to have a solid background in agricultural data analysis using Python and R as well as an understanding of advanced statistical modeling skills. Examples of potential research areas under RASP and SEP include soil and water conservation modeling based on remote sensing, genomics of for sheep and goats, analysis of forage genetic resources, and adoption and impact assessment of agricultural technologies.

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: www.icarda.org 

All CGIAR Centers are currently engaged into a reform process (“One CGIAR’”) that will help ICARDA and CGIAR achieve better impact through more strategically integrated research, unified governance, an integrated structure, and new research modalities across participating Research Centers. This transformation is supported by CGIAR donors who have committed to increased funding as a result of these reforms.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop automation for primary [in-person surveys] and secondary data [online and offline] collection activities. 
• Create predictive and prescriptive models that could have a positive impact on the efficiency of RASP and SEP research.
• Drive all data analytics activities ranging from conceptualization, and visualization to operationalization.

• Build, validate, and deploy machine learning models (supervised and unsupervised).
• Collaborate with software engineers and consultants to integrate data science solutions into existing agricultural platforms and systems at ICARDA.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Provide training and support to ICARDA researchers and stakeholders on data science methodologies and tools.

Requirements

Education, qualifications and experience

• Advanced degree, ideally a PhD, in Data Science, Machine Learning, Economics, Business, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Engineering, or equivalent industry training and experience.

• Demonstrated expertise in developing machine learning algorithms and techniques and proficiency in data mining, statistical analysis, and data visualization.

• Strong programming skills in Python, R, or similar languages

• Working knowledge of ODK, CSPro, Tableau, Web designing, and cloud computing.

• Working knowledge of database management systems (e.g., SQL, NoSQL).

• Experience with versions control systems such as GitHub.

• Previous experience in agricultural research or related fields.

• Experience with ICT4D projects.

• Experience in geospatial analysis and remote sensing tools (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth Engine) would be an advantage.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with diverse disciplines

• Adaptability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

• Fluency in English required.

Benefits

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits

This is a post-doctoral fellow 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 of 3 years. 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.

ICARDA is committed to increasing women representation in its workforce and strongly encourages applications from women.

Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.