A Research Coordinator (postdoctoral) position is available in the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems at the University of Florida (UF). The EQUIP project is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and this position focuses on the FEED subcomponent, which aims to improve supply of adequate quantities of high quality feed in smallholder dairy production systems in Ethiopia and sheep and goat fattening systems in Burkina Faso.
The FEED research involves following objectives, each of which is managed by a research institution in Burkina Faso and Ethiopia:
1) Conduct an inventory of feed resources through a landscape analysis to document the quantities, nutritional qualities and prices, availability and accessibility of feeds that can be used to improve livestock productivity.
2) Examine strategies to increase the yield, quality and preservation of fodder with location-specific improved forages for the countries’ different agroecologies.
3) Determine and meet nutrient requirements of indigenous livestock with balanced rations
4) Improve the capacity to analyze the nutritional value of livestock feeds using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy.
5) Examine effects of synergizing feed, management and genetic interventions on milk production in Ethiopia.
The Research Coordinator will support, coordinate and monitor the technical FEED research activities in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso involving multidisciplinary teams of researchers in USA, Ethiopia, and Burkina Faso. The Coordinator also will collate, synthesize, analyze and publish and present research findings in oral and written form to scientific and nonscientific audiences. In addition, the coordinator will assist to plan and organize meetings, symposia and conferences for stakeholders in the US and target countries.
Minimum Qualifications:
· PhD degree in Agronomy, Animal Science, or a closely related field.
· Expertise in forages, feeds and awareness of the challenges of developing country smallholder livestock systems.
· Excellent analytical, written and oral communication, organizational, interpersonal and statistical skills. Ability to work independently but also a team player.
· Flexibility to travel to Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and other locations.
· Ability to multi-task, and generate high quality reports and scientific publications sometimes within tight time frames including working after hours and on weekends when needed.
· Fluency in English; ability to speak and/or write in French and or Amharic and familiarity with West and or East Africa is preferred.
Term
This position is initially for one year, renewable annually based on performance, for up to forty two months based on continued availability of funding.
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