Context and background
The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is an independent non-profit organization that combines innovative research, market systems development, and strategic partnerships to spread sustainable agricultural solutions for improved soil health, food security, and livelihoods around the world.
IFDC is seeking a qualified and self-motivated Ugandan for the position of Research Field Assistant with strong on-farm trials management skills and the ability to work both individually and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. This position is responsible for the establishment and management of on-farm fertilizer trials for various smallholder farming systems in Uganda. This position works closely with farmers, various industry partners Department of Agricultural Research Service, universities, fertilizer companies, and extension services, among others to discuss the project progress, and its impact and explore quick avenues to disseminate impactful results to end users.
Duties may include:
- Assist the daily supervisor with the identification of suitable and representative locations for the establishment of on-farm trials
- Collect soil and plant samples and ensure nutrient analysis following the guidelines provided by the supervisor
- Interpret and implement the research protocols for on-farm researcher-managed trials; monitor farmer-managed trials
- Be able to understand and make fertilizer rates calculations for field trials
- Have at least a fair knowledge of fertilizers and good agronomic practices
- Ensure that logistics for the establishment of trials are in place e.g. Procurement of the ingredients/nutrient and preparation of fertilizer blends, if needed
- Interact with farmers, private sector, and public institutions for the establishment of on-farm researcher-managed trials
- Prepare the work plan and submit it to the daily supervisor for approval
- Establish on-farm researcher-managed trials
- Ensure timely data collection, processing, and report writing from on-farm researcher-managed trials
- Assist in publishing results in reputed scientific journals, technical reports, and magazines.
- Performing a variety of other related duties as required.
RESPONSIBILITY
- This position requires high dedication, a degree of judgment as to the type of research design, treatments preparation and allocation, range of data to be collected and type of analyses to be performed. This position meets with the supervisor often to discuss problems encountered with the implementation of the project, in particular on-farm trials, and to assign work (e.g., preparing reports for use by the supervisor at regular update meetings).
PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS
This position has external contacts with the private sector, farmers, national research institutes and universities, and farmer associations among others. External contacts are required to retrieve, relay or explain information and in some cases to negotiate (e.g., drawing up memorandums of understanding). Internally, most contacts are made with daily supervisors and staff to discuss and review trial implementation, data, or project status.
PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position requires a significant amount of work to be performed in the field and will involve travel to research sites.
Required Experience
- Preferably a Master in Agronomy, Agriculture, or Soil Science.
- More than 5 years of relevant research experience including on-farm fertilizers trials and soil management
- Expertise in statistics, data management, and plant physiology.
- Literacy in computer use and Microsoft Office Packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Experience in both macro and micro crop nutrient research trials
- Proven record of published results from research trials in peer-reviewed journals
- Fluency in written and spoken English, and local languages