Scientist I - Water Management and Irrigation Systems

Kerala
Permanent
Full-time

22 days ago

About IRRIThe 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.Job PurposeThe Scientist I – Water Management and Irrigation Systems position supports IRRI’s research and development agenda on sustainable water use in agricultural systems. The role focuses on agricultural water use, hydrological modeling, and irrigation systems analysis, with the aim of generating evidence-based solutions for improved water resource management.This position contributes to the development and support of policies for sustainable water use through the application of data-driven tools and analytics to assess water availability, usage patterns, and the impacts of interventions. The work will involve applying hydrological models to inform decision-making from farm to basin scales and collaborating with stakeholders to promote sustainable and equitable water use strategies. Previous research experience in rice-based systems in South Asia, particularly in Kerala and Northwest India, and in water-saving technologies for rice, such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), will be valuable in fulfilling the role’s objectives.This position will be based in Kerala, India, and is open for international applications.Roles and Responsibilities

Promote sustainable agricultural water use through sound policy and practice
Develop and strengthen the water science portfolio for IRRI’s South Asia Regional Center (ISARC)
Diagnose issues and develop solutions for farmers that strengthen climate resilient and low-emission agricultural water management
Support the development of integrated water management policies and practices at local, national, and regional levels.
Strengthen the capacity of institutions and stakeholders to manage water resources adaptively.
Collaborate with farmers, local water user associations, government agencies, and research institutions to co-develop water management strategies.
Facilitate participatory multi-stakeholder dialogues and assessment to align priorities on sustainable irrigation, water allocation and irrigation management change
Work with technical teams to translate modeling outputs into actionable policy and planning inputs.
Contribute to community-level efforts to build awareness on sustainable water use and conservation.
Co-create and publish policy briefs and technical reports on sustainable irrigation and water management strategies based on evidence from models and field data
Co-develop and implement data collection protocols analytical tools for monitoring and evaluating water interventions
Running crop model and ET estimation models including CropWat, AquaCrop and data-driven approaches
Hydrological models (e.g., SWAT, MODFLOW) developed or calibrated to simulate water availability and use
Manage datasets on climate, soil moisture, water flows, and irrigation practices for analysis and modeling
Publish findings in leading high-impact peer-reviewed journals together with key partners
Co-develop and implement capacity-building materials and training modules on water management, sustainable irrigation, hydrological modeling, and data analytics

Qualifications

2-3 years experience at Post-doctoral Fellow level in IRRI
3-5 years post PhD with relevant work experience in water resources management, specializing in agricultural water use, hydrological modeling, and data-driven policy support.
Skilled in using tools like AquaCrop, SWAT, and GIS for water allocation and planning.
Proven ability to conduct interdisciplinary research, engage stakeholders, and contribute to evidence-based water policy development.
Strong background in data analysis, technical reporting, and capacity building across government and research sectors.

Skills RequiredMandatory

Expertise in agricultural water resources management, with strong capabilities in hydrological modeling, data analysis, and GIS.
Skilled in using tools to simulate and assess water use.
Proficient in policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and developing evidence-based recommendations.
Experienced in preparing technical reports and conducting capacity-building activities to support sustainable and data-informed water management strategies.

Preferred

Excellent technical writing and experience working with multidisciplinary teams across government and research sectors.

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.Join our team and be part of our story!Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.

International Rice Research Institute

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