Associate Scientist - Agronomist

cgiar; Agra District; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career growth

Competitive pay

1-year contract with renewal

Diverse workplace

Job summary

CIP – International Potato Center, CSARC Agra, invites applications for Associate Scientist-Agronomist to advance sustainable potato production across South Asia. The role leads agronomic research, regenerative practices, and seed production while coordinating field operations on the CSARC research farm.

The successful candidate will collaborate with breeders, soil scientists, engineers, and government partners; travel within India and the region; and contribute to knowledge management,

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in agronomy or a related discipline.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in agronomy, crop production, or applied agricultural research, preferably in root and tuber crops (RCT).
• Strong practical experience in regenerative agriculture and potato seed production systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in conservation agriculture, zero or reduced tillage, soil health management, and sustainable crop production practices.
• Experience in planning and managing research farms and coordinating field trials across different locations.
• Good knowledge of agricultural mechanization, particularly for potato production and harvesting systems.
• Experience in experimental design, statistical analysis, and interpretation of agronomic research.
• A proven ability to organize training programmes and effectively communicate scientific knowledge to diverse audiences.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with government agencies, research organisations, development partners, and the private sector.
• Strong scientific writing, proposal development, and reporting skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of Hindi language will be an added advantage.
• Willingness to travel within India and across South Asia as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead agronomic research to improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience of potato farming systems across South Asia.
• Develop and evaluate regenerative agriculture practices, including zero or reduced tillage, residue management, crop rotation, nutrient and water management, soil health improvement, and climate-smart production systems.
• Design, implement, and monitor field experiments, on-farm demonstrations, and multi-location trials with high-quality data collection and analysis.
• Conduct research and demonstration activities on quality potato seed production, including ARC, minitubers, and other seed multiplication technologies.
• Identify, evaluate, and promote mechanization solutions for potato production and post-harvest operations.
• Manage CSARC's research farm including seasonal planning, irrigation, machinery, and safety standards.
• Collaborate with breeders, soil scientists, engineers, seed specialists, socio-economists, and multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated production technologies.
• Build partnerships with NARS, universities, government agencies, development partners, and industry to accelerate technology adoption.
• Organise field days, demonstrations, training programmes, and capacity-building activities for researchers and farmers.

Skills

Regenerative agriculture

Potato seed production

Conservation agriculture

Experimental design

Statistical analysis

Scientific writing

Training programs

Curriculum collaboration

English proficiency

Hindi language

Education

Ph.D. in agronomy

Job description

International Potato Center POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT Ref: 2026/12/NRS/IND/ASIA

Associate Scientist-Agronomist Agra, India

About CIP:

CIP is part of the CGIAR global research partnership committed to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. CIP’s mission is to develop and share science-based innovations in potato, sweet potato, and other root and tuber crops. CIP partners with organizations in over 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to strengthen agri-food systems and provide economic, social, and nutritional benefits, especially for women and youth. We integrate social and biophysical sciences to address complex challenges in food and agriculture.

About CSARC:

The CIP – South Asia Regional Center (CSARC), Agra, serves as a key hub for agricultural research and development focused on potato and sweetpotato systems in South Asia. The center supports research initiatives aimed at improving crop productivity, climate resilience, and sustainable farming practices. It collaborates with national research institutions, government agencies, private players and development partners to promote innovative agricultural solutions.

About the position:

The CIP South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) is looking for a passionate and experienced Agronomist to help advance sustainable potato production across South Asia. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys combining science with practical field application and working closely with farmers, researchers, government agencies, and industry partners. The successful candidate will lead research on potato production systems, regenerative agriculture, and quality seed production while overseeing CSARC's research farm and field operations. The role will also contribute to developing innovative mechanization solutions, strengthening farmer capacity, and generating evidence that supports the adoption of climate-resilient and resource-efficient potato production technologies.

Key responsibilities:

• Research and Innovation
  • Lead agronomic research to improve the productivity, sustainability, and resilience of potato-based farming systems across South Asia.
  • Develop and evaluate regenerative agriculture practices, including zero or reduced tillage, residue management, crop rotation, efficient nutrient and water management, soil health improvement, and climate-smart production systems.
  • Design, implement, and monitor field experiments, on-farm demonstrations, and multi-location trials, ensuring high-quality data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
  • Conduct research and demonstration activities on quality potato seed production, including apical rooted cuttings (ARC), minitubers, and other seed multiplication technologies.
  • Identify, evaluate, and promote appropriate mechanization solutions for potato production, seed production, planting, crop management, harvesting, grading, and post-harvest operations.
• Research Farm Management
  • Manage CSARC's research farm, including seasonal planning, field operations, irrigation, machinery, labour, research infrastructure, and compliance with research protocols and safety standards.
• Collaboration and Capacity Development
  • Collaborate closely with breeders, soil scientists, engineers, seed specialists, socio-economists, and other multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated production technologies.
  • Build and maintain effective partnerships with National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), universities, state governments, development partners, and industry to accelerate technology adoption.
  • Organise field days, demonstrations, training programmes, and capacity-building activities for researchers, extension personnel, government agencies, private sector partners, and farmers.
• Knowledge Management and Resource Mobilization
  • Prepare technical manuals, training materials, standard operating procedures (SOPs), extension publications, and other knowledge products to support technology dissemination.
  • Contribute to project development, proposal writing, donor reporting, scientific publications, and other technical outputs.
  • Ensure timely documentation, technical reporting, and effective communication of research findings and project achievements.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in agronomy or a related discipline.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in agronomy, crop production, or applied agricultural research, preferably in root and tuber crops (RCT).
• Strong practical experience in regenerative agriculture and potato seed production systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in conservation agriculture, zero or reduced tillage, soil health management, and sustainable crop production practices.
• Experience in planning and managing research farms and coordinating field trials across different locations.
• Good knowledge of agricultural mechanization, particularly for potato production and harvesting systems.
• Experience in experimental design, statistical analysis, and interpretation of agronomic research.
• A proven ability to organize training programmes and effectively communicate scientific knowledge to diverse audiences.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with government agencies, research organisations, development partners, and the private sector.
• Strong scientific writing, proposal development, and reporting skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of Hindi language will be an added advantage.
• Willingness to travel within India and across South Asia as required.

Benefits

• Great career opportunity in an international organization.
• Generous compensation package commensurate with experience.
• One-year term contract with the possibility of renewal.
• Work in an equal and diverse workplace.

Deadline for the receipt of applications is 20th Aug, 2026

This position WILL NOT have contact with children or vulnerable adults.

We look forward to receiving applications from individuals with disabilities who are willing to contribute their talents and skills to our team.

If you require specific accommodation for the selection process due to a disability, please do not hesitate to inform us.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.