Specialist-GIS & Remote Sensing

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.

Job Purpose

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an independent, non-profit and world’s premier research organization dedicated to abolishing poverty and hunger among people and populations that depend on rice-based agri-food systems. Through our work and partnerships, we aim to improve the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; promote environmental sustainability in a world challenged by climate change; and support the empowerment of women and the youth in the rice industry. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa

The incumbent will play a key role in supporting the implementation of GIS and remote sensing components under the project. Working under the general supervision of the Scientist – II, Geospatial, the incumbent will provide essential technical support to project scientists and staff, ensuring the effective execution of planned geospatial activities. This will involve close coordination with NARES partners, State Agricultural Universities, the Department of Agriculture, and other relevant stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include the coordination, development, validation, and implementation of innovative remote sensing-based methodologies aimed at identifying and monitoring rice-based cropping systems, agricultural management practices, land use and land cover changes, ecological interactions, and the creation of associated spatial databases. These activities will directly contribute to achieving the objectives defined under Areas of Work (AoW) 1 and 5 of the project framework.

This position will be based at the IRRI India Office, Trissur, Kerala, India and may only be filled by permanent citizens of the India.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development, testing and validation of innovative remote sensing- based methods (using SAR, thermal, multispectral remote sensing sensors) to identify rice based cropping systems and management practices
• Evaluate the research findings, and contribute to the writing of reports, research papers and other communication material
• Plan and design multiple experiments/surveys and research studies utilizing the Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Manage the data collection process for primary and secondary datasets from the field soil, water, weather and crops using appropriate devices
• Inform the immediate supervisor on the development of digital image processing, drone and GIS based activities
• Collaborate with scientists at advance research institutes and in the private sector to develop new research products
• Assist project leaders and/or collaborating partners to define the scope of research activities and harmonize the undertakings of the team(s) assigned in districts
• In conjunction with the scientist, plan, survey and coordinate the materials and resources required to meet the research objectives of the group
• Collect, store and curate data generated from the analytics
• Review existing course of actions and support in the development work plans, milestones and implementation of research
• Prepare and assure quality of project reports and papers for presentation at policy and academic forums

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Geospatial Science, Agriculture, Geography, Environmental Science, or other related discipline with at least 5 years’ relevant work experience of application of Remote Sensing and GIS in agriculture.

Or

PhD in Remote Sensing or Geo-informatics or other related discipline with 2 years relevant work experience of application of Remote Sensing and GIS in agriculture

Skills Required

Mandatory:

• Has technical proficiency in remote sensing and GIS with proven skills mainly in
  vegetation phenology, Crop type mapping, land use and land cover change, climate change, ecological interactions and database management; integrated productivity
  analysis using physical (soil, water and climate) and farmer databases
• Has good working knowledge of remote sensing and GIS software, Database and
  software such as ERDAS, ArcGIS, ENVI and e-Cognition.
• Experience in scripting such as R, Python and Google Earth Engine

Preferred:

• Experience of any of one statistical and scientific data analysis software-SAS, SPSS, SPAD, and SWAT
• Experience with working on multiple satellite images including optical,
  radar-based sensors

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.