ICRISAT seeks applications for Scientist (Village Level Studies) , to be based at Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh , India .

ICRISAT is a non-profit, apolitical, international organization for science-based agricultural development. Established in 1972, it is a Future Harvest center of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), it is one of 15 centers of the CGIAR, and supported by more than 48 governments, foundations, and development banks. To reduce poverty, enhance crop productivity and food security and to protect the environment, ICRISAT research focuses on farming systems and crop improvement, management and utilization of sorghum, pearl millet, pigeonpea, chickpea, and groundnut in the semi-arid tropics.

Village-Level Studies (VLS) were initiated by ICRISAT's Economics Program in India in 1975, and later extended to Africa . The studies have provided important insights about changing household and village livelihoods and helped scientists identify and understand socioeconomic, agro-biological, and institutional constraints to agricultural development in the Semi-Arid Tropics (SAT). In recognition of the profound economic and social changes that have affected the SAT over the past decade, the Social Science research team at ICRISAT, in partnership with national research programs and leading institutes worldwide, resumed its VLS in Asia.

The Job: To conduct micro-level studies to analyze and document the changes in agricultural, economic, socio-cultural and environmental conditions in agricultural systems of SAT India. Collaborate with national and international research partners. Planning and development of research projects, resource mobilization, development of data instruments, implementation of data collection, analysis and writing up of research papers, journal articles and policy briefs. To focus on testing key hypotheses explaining major changes in crop and livestock production systems, labor allocation, market development, capital stocks and flows, health and nutrition indicators, migration and poverty trends. Complementary analyses are expected relating to changing property rights, gender and community organization. Special attention will be directed toward the evaluation of changing livelihood strategies, and implications for investments in new agricultural technology and policy reform.

The Person: Ph.D. in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Sociology, Anthropology and related social sciences with 3-5 years of good experience in rural studies including poverty analysis, food security, social mobility, credit, innovation systems, marketing, among others. Applicants should have proven analytical, quantitative and outstanding econometric skills. Experience in handling large aggregated datasets, managing and analyzing farm surveys is desirable. Ability to link micro and macro approaches and provide feedback to R&D and policy makers is expected. Computer skills in data analysis are essential. Strong writing and oral presentation skills are also essential. The candidate should be an effective team player with ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.

The Reward: This is a regional position with competitive pay and benefits. The position is initially for three years and likely to be extended depending on requirement, funding availability, and performance of the incumbent.