Research Scientist - Ecological Modelling (Climate & Agriculture)

The Research Scientist - Ecological Modelling at icipe will develop quantitative models to assess climate impacts on agricultural pests and crop productivity in Africa. This senior role involves designing models, integrating climate data, and creating decision-support tools for farmers. Responsibilities include leading research projects, securing funding, publishing findings, and mentoring junior scientists. Strong expertise in mathematical modeling and collaboration across disciplines is required. The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Role Overview The Research Scientist in Ecological Modelling will lead the development and application of advanced quantitative models to understand how climate variability and change affect agricultural pests, disease vectors, and crop productivity across African farming systems. Working within icipe's interdisciplinary research teams, you will bridge climate science, entomology, and development by creating mechanistic and data-driven models that translate complex ecological processes into practical, real-time risk information for farmers, extension services, and policymakers. You will own the full research lifecycle: from designing novel modelling approaches and securing research funding, through integrating multi-source climate and environmental data, to publishing findings and embedding outputs into digital tools that extension workers and smallholder farmers use to make pest and disease management decisions. This is a senior role requiring both deep technical expertise in mathematical and statistical modelling and the ability to collaborate across disciplines and geographies. Key Responsibilities Design, parameterize, and validate mechanistic models (especially ODE-based systems) that simulate climate-sensitive pest population dynamics, disease transmission cycles, and crop-environment interactions Integrate diverse climate, remote-sensing, and environmental datasets into spatial and temporal modelling frameworks that account for data gaps and measurement uncertainty Develop hybrid modelling systems that combine first-principles ecological theory with statistical or machine learning approaches to improve forecast accuracy and real-world relevance Apply panel regression, Bayesian inference, and uncertainty quantification methods to rigorously evaluate climate impacts and risks across multiple agroecosystems and time horizons Co-design decision-support tools and digital advisory products that translate model outputs into actionable guidance for extension services and farming communities Lead grant proposal development and resource mobilization to sustain long-term research programmes and expand partnerships with international climate, agriculture, and health institutions Contribute peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, and capacity-building materials that communicate research findings to scientists, practitioners, and policymakers Mentor junior scientists and research partners in modelling methodologies and best practices for reproducible research Required Skills & Experience Build and refine mechanistic models using ODE systems, differential equations, and compartmental frameworks to represent ecological, agricultural, or epidemiological processes Handle, quality-assure, and integrate multi-source climate datasets (e.g., satellite imagery, weather reanalysis, ground-based observations) into large-scale modelling pipelines Design and execute statistical analyses using panel regression, Bayesian inference, or machine learning to isolate climate impacts and quantify uncertainty in predictions Code reproducibly in R and/or Python, writing clean, documented functions and workflows that collaborators can audit, extend, and maintain Translate ecological theory and research findings into policy briefs, decision-support tools, and digital products that non-specialist audiences can use Identify funding opportunities, draft competitive grant proposals, and negotiate research partnerships with international organizations and development institutions Publish research in peer-reviewed journals, communicate findings across disciplinary and geographic boundaries, and mentor colleagues in advanced modelling techniques Salary & Benefits Estimated salary: KES 480,000 – 650,000 per month, depending on qualifications and post-PhD experience. Benefits include a competitive research allowance, professional development support, health insurance, and access to icipe's computing and field research infrastructure. Who Should Apply Ideal candidate: You hold a PhD in Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Environmental Science, Ecology, Climate Science, or a closely related field, with at least 4 years of post-doctoral research experience in environmental, climate, or entomological modelling. You have a track record of peer-reviewed publications and evidence of securing research funding. You are proficient in R and/or Python, comfortable with large datasets, and excited by the prospect of using quantitative research to improve climate adaptation and pest management in African agriculture. You thrive in interdisciplinary teams and enjoy translating complex science into actionable tools. Do not apply if: You are seeking a purely computational role without interest in ecological or agricultural science; you have minimal experience with mechanistic or statistical modelling; you have no published research; or you are unable to work on-site in Nairobi for at least part of each year. How to Apply Visit the icipe recruitment portal at the link provided. Submit your CV, a cover letter (max 1 page) highlighting your modelling expertise and evidence of grant leadership, and links to 2–3 representative publications or code repositories. Optionally, include a brief statement (½ page) on how your research can support climate adaptation in African agroecosystems. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; early submission is encouraged. Important Notes Applicants must be able to work on-site in Nairobi for this role. A PhD in a relevant field is mandatory; equivalent professional credentials and 6+ years of modelling experience may be considered in exceptional cases. icipe is an equal-opportunity employer committed to gender equity and inclusivity in research teams.