RESEARCHER (post-doc) in CROP MODELLING IN AFRICA

available in the Earth System Physics (ESP) section of the Abdus Salam
International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), an IAEA/UNESCO
affiliated institute located in Trieste in northern Italy. The working
language of the institute is English.

Funded by the Italian Foreign Ministry, the project will apply the
general large area crop model “GLAM” to the modelling of groundnut,
Sorghum, and Millet and other crops in Africa. This will involve direct
collaboration with researchers at the University of Leeds and Reading,
where GLAM was originally developed. Driving the crop model using a
combination of observations and model analyses the model will be
evaluated using data from, and in collaboration with, partners from
Ghana and Senegal. The evaluated crop model will then be driven by
monthly and seasonal forecasts to determine the potential predictability
over these timescales. Potential agricultural vulnerabilities on decadal
and longer timescales will be examined. In conjunction with the
University of Leeds, an ultimate aim should be to produce a
user-friendly crop-modelling system based on GLAM that may be
implemented in African institutions for research purposes.

The position aims to enhance ICTP’s activities in seasonal, decadal and
climate prediction with emphasis on the end-user applications of water
resources, health and agriculture. The candidate is expected to
contribute to ICTP’s stated mission to support scientific activities in
developing countries, both through direct collaboration with African
scientific centres and by active involvement in the planning and
execution of workshops and training activities to take place in Africa
during 2010 and 2011.

Further details of the ESP group and ICTP can be found at:
http://esp.ictp.it
http://www.ictp.it

The candidate is expected to have a PhD with a strong background in the
physical sciences and experience in running and developing either
atmospheric forecast models or crop models.  The salary scale for the
position ranges from 2000 to 2500 Euros per month, depending on
experience, and is exempt from income tax in Italy. The position is
offered for an initial period of one year, renewable for up to an
additional two years, and is to start as soon as possible in 2009.

If you wish to apply, please send a complete Curriculum Vitae, list of
publications and references to [log in to unmask]

The deadline for application is January 30 2009.

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