Postdoctoral position on the economic analysis of maize intensification in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa

Postdoctoral position on the economic analysis of maize intensification in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa

At Centre International de Recherches sur l’Environnement et le Développement

Context:

The postdoc will contribute to the CLAND Institute of Convergence project (www.cland.lsce.ipsl.fr). CLAND is funded by the French national research agency for ten years gathers the efforts of more than 100 researchers in the Paris Saclay area from key institutions in the field of climate change impacts, sustainable agriculture, ecosystem services, environmental impacts and land use socio-economics. CLAND spans the full range of disciplines necessary to make breakthroughs in the integrated assessment of the interplay between climate change and land use and management.

Responsibilities and tasks:

The postdoc position aims to conduct a comprehensive economic analysis of agricultural intensification in the maize sector in Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. Three key mechanisms affecting crop yields at different scale will be examined: (i) the spatial variation in fertilizer prices; (ii) the farmers’ risk-averse behaviour regarding the use of fertilisers ; (iii) the learning process in the allocation of agricultural land.

The tasks will include:

– Modelling the effect of local fertilizer price and grain prices on crop yields at fine scale;
– Simulating the effect of cropland allocation on crop yields at national level;
– Producing scenario-based yield Projections.

Required education, experience and skills:

Applicants should hold a PhD in economics.

Desirable skills and assets include: strong knowledge in agricultural/environmental economics, with specialization in microeconomics, and a proven ability to work in a team and network with a range of scientists.

Salary and contract duration: Fixed-term period of 24 months. Salary follows national directives including social and health benefits, and is adjusted for work experience.

Location: Jardin Tropical de Paris in Nogent-sur-Marne

Supervision: Dr. Thierry Brunelle

How to apply: Applicants should submit a complete application package by email to Thierry Brunelle () should include (1) a curriculum vitae including most important recent publications, (2) statement of motivation and (3) two reference letters.
Applications must be sent before January 15, 2025