SOIL-SYSTEMS MODELER - PHOSPHORUS DYNAMICS
International Fertilizer Development Center

Sector: Soil and Nutrient Dynamics Program, Resource Development Division,
IFDC
Location: Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA
Duration of the assignment: 24 months (with possible 12-month extension)

Background Information:
The Resource Development Division (RDD) at IFDC aims to improve efficiency
of plant nutrient use in the developing country agriculture.  Its research
activities focuses on understanding processes, predicting outcomes of given
nutrient management strategies, and making recommendations based on
biophysical, socioeconomic, and policy-related conditions backed by ex-ante
analyses conducted using information and decision support systems.  RDD
develops and test innovative integrated nutrient management techniques in
sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. It works closely with
IFDC's Africa Division, Lomé, Togo.

One of the major nutrients limiting crop production in sub-Saharan Africa is
phosphorus.  It has been known that direct application of suitable sources
of phosphate rock (PR) may be an agronomically and economically attractive
alternative to the use of more expensive imported soluble P fertilizers in
tropical and subtropical acid soils for certain crops. Several countries in
sub-Saharan Africa e.g., Togo, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria,
and Tanzania possess PR deposits. If these could be economically used alone
or in conjunction with other imported P fertilizers, they would allow a
saving of much-needed foreign exchange.

The associate expert will be a member of task force in RDD that is
developing a decision support system for use of PR and a dynamic P and PR
module for soil-crop simulation models. He/she will also support
collaborating partners in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia with the
field-testing, evaluation, and application of P and PR decision support
systems. One of the main tasks of the incumbent will be to synthesize and
translate available data into methods and decision support systems that can
be tested on-farm and used for nutrient management recommendations. It is
anticipated that the incumbent may travel to field sites in sub-Saharan
Africa, South Asia, and/or Latin America.

Duties and Responsibilities:
- Synthesize existing knowledge on phosphorus (P) and phosphate rock (PR)
dynamics in tropical agriculture at process level.
- Assist in development/improvement, testing, and applications of decision
support systems on P and PR in developing countries, particularly
sub-Saharan Africa.
- Assist in planning, implementing, and conducting field trials based on
ex-ante analyses carried out using the P and PR decision support systems.
- Assist in development of nutrient recommendation packages for use by
researchers and extensionists.
- Preparation of manuscripts and reports.

Qualifications:
Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with at least three years of relevant
work experience in tropical agriculture with major in Soil Science. A good
understanding of systems approach and simulation modeling is also needed.

Experience:
Development and/or use of computer simulation model is desirable.

Skills and Competencies Required:
- Computer literacy: computer programming, database management.
- Ability to synthesize large amounts of data and information.
- Capacity to write and report results for different clientele.
- Good working knowledge of English
- Prepared to travel to parts of Asia, Latin America and/or Africa.


Remuneration:
The salary will be paid in U.S. dollars with the P1 scale ($41,189 -
$42,633).  The benefits package is competitive with similar positions at
other International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs).  The employee
benefits package will include annual and sick leave; insurance (medical,
life, AD&E, LTD, BTA, medical evacuation); retirement; and applicable
posting allowances.

Application:
Qualified applicants are invited to send an application consisting of a
letter of introduction and an up-to-date curriculum vitae including the
name, address, telephone, fax and e-mail contact addresses of three referees
in a sealed envelope to the Personnel Manager, IFDC, P.O. Box 2040, Muscle
Shoals, Alabama 35662, U.S.A., or e-mail [log in to unmask], or fax:
1/256/381-7408. Copies of certificates and relevant documents are to be
attached to the application. Only short listed candidates will be contacted
for interview.

Deadline:  not later than June 28, 2002

Date of Entry:  as soon as possible

Both female and male candidates that are nationals of developing countries
are encouraged to apply.  Candidates must be under the age of 32.
Preferably, candidates should have a degree from their home country.

Paul Wilkens
IFDC
An International Center for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development
P.O. Box 2040
Muscle Shoals, Alabama  35662

(256) 381-6600 (Tel)
(256) 381-7408 (Fax)

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http://www.ifdc.org/