Scientist – Livestock GHG MRV and Circular Bioeconomy

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for better and more sustainable use of livestock. ILRI is a CGIAR research centre – part of a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

Scientist – Livestock GHG MRV and Circular Bioeconomy

About the position: The role will design and implement rigorous laboratory, on-station and field studies; develop and apply measurement and analytical methods; generate evidence for emission factors, inventories and mitigation decisions; publish research; and mobilize resources. The Scientist will also provide scientific oversight of Mazingira laboratory infrastructure, analytical quality, safety and technical staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to interdisciplinary research on livestock GHG emissions, circular bioeconomy, resource recovery, climate mitigation and adaptation, and animal productivity.

• Design, implement, analyse and report laboratory, on-station and on-farm experiments and measurement campaigns, ensuring scientific rigor, animal welfare and appropriate quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC).

• Develop, validate and apply methods for measuring enteric and manure-related GHG emissions and evaluating biogas systems using appropriate laboratory, field, mobile and remote measurement platforms.

• Generate and analyse data required to improve IPCC Tier 2 enteric methane and manure emission factors, including feed and activity data, volatile solids (VS), maximum methane-producing capacity (Bo), methane conversion factors (MCF) and manure management system distributions (MS%).

• Develop and evaluate manure-management, anaerobic-digestion, biogas-utilization and bioslurry interventions for low- and medium-input livestock systems.

• Advance livestock GHG MRV methods, protocols and tools that support national inventories, nationally determined contributions (NDCs), mitigation programs and credible carbon-market applications.

• Apply statistical analysis, data management, modelling and, where appropriate, machine-learning approaches to integrate measurements, assess mitigation effects and quantify uncertainty.

• Prepare research protocols, data-management plans, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), risk assessments and QA/QC procedures, and ensure that research data and documentation meet institutional and partner requirements.

• Publish scientific papers and prepare technical reports, conference presentations, research briefs, policy briefs and other communication products for scientific and non-scientific audiences.

• Lead and contribute to proposal development, partnership building, budgeting and the mobilization of financial and institutional resources.

• Collaborate with CGIAR programs, national research and government partners, universities, development organizations, the private sector and farming communities in the design and delivery of research.

• Supervise and mentor research technicians, research associates, interns, MSc and PhD students, and contribute to staff capacity development.