Associate Research Scientist – Agricultural Modeling,

Search Number: LD 670 07 007

The International Research Institute for Climate 
and Society (IRI) is seeking an outstanding 
individual with a strong background in modeling 
crop-climate relationships and excellent analytic 
skills to advance applied research and provide 
leadership in the application of modeling to 
climate risk management for agriculture and food 
security.  The IRI is a catalyst for the creation 
and provision of science based outcomes that 
address climate risk. Our approach is based on 
collaborative partnerships with local, national, 
regional, international, public and private 
institutions facilitating the open exchange of 
ideas, information, and technology between many 
disciplines and regions. We work in Asia and the 
Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, 
to unravel problems that have frequently been 
discounted as unavoidable consequences of nature.

Working with a multidisciplinary team of 
scientists, the successful candidate will play a 
leading role in the development of methodology 
for modeling agricultural impacts of climate 
fluctuations; and its application to food 
production forecasting, decision analysis and 
decision support.  The research will include the 
development of tools to support the interface 
between seasonal forecasts and agricultural and 
ecological modeling.  Working with an 
interdisciplinary team and in coordination with 
the IRI Regional Programs, the successful 
candidate will contribute to the development and 
implementation of projects that apply 
agricultural modeling to food security early 
warning, weather index insurance, and agricultural decision support.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Agricultural 
Engineering, Agronomy, Agrometeorology or a 
related field, and at least two years of relevant 
postdoctoral experience.  They must have a strong 
quantitative background that includes probability 
and statistical methods, dynamic and stochastic 
modeling techniques, and 
optimization.  Applicants must demonstrate 
understanding of crop ecophysiology and 
management including crop-water relationships, 
expertise in the interpretation and application 
of crop simulation models, and competence in 
numeric programming in a computer 
language.  Desirable qualifications include 
experience with analysis and stochastic 
generation of daily weather data, familiarity 
with dynamic climate models and seasonal climate 
forecasting, expertise in GIS applications, and 
experience with the integration of remote sensing 
data with agricultural modeling.  The successful 
candidate must be a team player who can work 
collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and 
multicultural environment.  Excellent written and 
oral communication skills are 
required.  Successful experience in working in 
developing countries, and in developing funded projects, is desired.

Columbia University benefits accompany 
appointment. This position is located in Rockland 
County, NY at the Lamont Campus of The Earth 
Institute at Columbia University. Prospective 
candidates must apply to the Lamont-Doherty Human 
Resources Department via the IRI website; 
<http://iri.columbia.edu/iri/job/index/html>http://iri.columbia.edu/iri/job/index/html. 
You will need to provide the following 
information to apply:  contact information; 
letter of application, including position 
reference number # LD 670 07 006 statement of 
career objectives; curriculum vitae; and contact 
information for three references. Candidate 
review will begin after the ad has appeared for 
30 days. Screening of applicants will start after 
the ad appears for 30 days.  The intended 
starting date is 1 July 2007.  Columbia 
University is an Equal Opportunity and 
Affirmative Action Employer. Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply.