Research Engineer on "Grain legumes yield prediction and simulation in Africa" Position Announcement Contrat : CDD

Position Announcement - Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), AgroBioSciences (AgBS)

Determinated Contract of 6 Months

Area of specialization: Agronomy, Crop improvement, Modelling, Biostatistics,

Knowledge of R and Lentil Model

Expected starting date: Febuary 2023

The candidate will work on the research project “Grain yield prediction and simulation in Africa under changing climate context”. The project aims at resembling knowledge on how legumes respond to various inputs and adaption to different growing context of Africa. The project will deliver insights on how legumes yield will likely evolve in current production areas and how the yield will be in the future under the adoption of legume improved technology. The candidate is supposed to estimate, predict the yield of targeted legumes crops, and develop ambitious and inclusive visions, and solutions for, cross-scale food systems transformation for achieving a major production in Africa.

The selected candidates will be expected to:

• Review existing literature and unpublished experimental data, extract, and process the data for estimating and predicting the yields of targeted crops in Africa
• Apply machine learning approaches to identify patterns in legumes yield
• Develop models following the experimental plan in Africa
• Produce climate change impact scenarios for legumes yield using the model
• Contribute to the overarching goals of the research project team
• Publish the results in peer-reviewed scientific journals

The potential applicants must have a higher university degree (MSc or equivalent) in a relevant field (agronomy, Modeling, biostatistics, and related fields), and the ability to complete the doctoral studies within the targeted timeframe of four years.

Ideal candidates should have:

A Master of Science in Agronomy, Crop improvement with expertise in using crop modeling tools

Well master of R packages and other Modeling software.

be strongly self-motivated, keen to innovate, can work well in an interdisciplinary research environment, and with rigorous work ethics. He/she should be able to deliver outputs (scientific publications, presentations, and the dissertation) in the targeted timeframes, and according to the international standards of excellence.

The skill set sought in an ideal applicant includes:

• English and French language proficiency
• Good writing skills