Agronomist specialised in the assessment of tropical perennial system performances via multicriteri

Are you interested in research aimed at improving the sustainability of tropical perennial systems? The "Perennial Cropping Systems" unit of the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (Cirad) wishes to strengthen its research team dedicated to evaluating and designing innovative cropping systems. Join Cirad!

Position description

As global changes occur, the needs and challenges of tropical perennial systems, particularly oil palm, are numerous: crop production and natural resources preservation, economic viability and social development promotion, to name a few.
The person hired will initially be researching the development of multicriteria methods for assessing performances and sustainability of perennial cropping systems (primarily in its environmental component). Later, while continuing their work on performance assessment, the researcher will work on designing innovative cropping systems based on agro-ecology principles.
The development of multicriteria methods for assessing performances will be based on combining different approaches (agro-environmental and socioeconomic indicators, life cycle assessment, sustainable landscape approach, certification schemes, etc.) at different levels of integration (from the plot scale to the holding and territory scales). At the beginning, the performances and avenues for improvement under study will mainly relate to mineral and organic fertilisation and integrated pest management practices.
This position will play a role in the unit's research aimed at understanding differences in performances between various perennial cropping systems within a territory, particularly village-scale and industrial systems. The multicriteria assessment will investigate the drivers of system performances and impacts, and correlate them with producers' decision-making criteria.
The innovations developed as part of the system design teamwork will take into account the range of constraints and opportunities analysed, based on synergies or competition with other farming systems (other value chains) or other land uses (protected areas, urban areas, etc.).


Place

France – Montpellier for a period of 18 to 24 months with field missions and then assignment to Asia or Africa
Please note: CIRAD researchers are usually posted to developing countries.