27th August, 2025
Location: WASCAL Competence Centre in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Duration of contract: 2-years fixed term renewable contract
Deadline: 15th September 2025
Overview:
To support its expanding research and innovation portfolio under the TRANS-SAHARA project, WASCAL is recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow in Agro-Digital Modelling and Innovation. This is a local position, open to all citizens of WASCAL member countries, and shall be based at the WASCAL Competence Centre in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
WASCAL is a research, education and innovation-focused international institution designed to provide knowledge and climate services that tackle the climate change challenge and thereby enhance the resilience of human and environmental systems. It does so by strengthening the research capacity and infrastructure in West Africa related to climate change by pooling the expertise of ten West African countries and Germany. The West African countries include: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d‘Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Cape Verde.
As part of the Horizon Europe-funded TRANS-SAHARA Project, WASCAL leads on data collection strategies and the development of Made-in-Africa IoT-based sensors and also contributes strongly to the implementation of Living Labs and the delivery of capacity-building activities for sustainable development of Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) solutions.
The Postdoctoral Fellow in Agro-Digital Modelling and Innovation will engage in both applied and theoretical work at the intersection of agroforestry, environmental modelling, and digital innovation. This role is ideal for a motivated early-career researcher eager to bridge science, technology, and community impact through the development and application of data-driven tools, including IoT-based sensors, decision-support systems, and WEFE Nexus modelling frameworks. includes direct support to the WASCAL PI on coordination and financial reporting. The position includes direct support to the WASCAL PI on coordination and financial reporting.
Reporting to the Head of the Data Management Department (DMD), he or she will actively support TRANS-SAHARA project activities and contribute to WASCAL’s broader research, innovation, and capacity-building programs.
Key Responsibilities:
· Support the design, deployment, and test/validation of agro-digital tools, including sensors and decision-support applications.
· Contribute to the parameterization and operationalization of agroforestry and WEFE Nexus models, using real-time and historical data.
· Assist in the setup and participation in Living Lab activities, including data collection, training, and stakeholder co-design workshops.
· Collaborate with the sensing and database teams to ensure relevant, quality field data is collected and used effectively.
· Participate in the development of training materials and workshops for farmers, youth, and institutions.
· Contribute to financial and technical reporting in support of WASCAL’s internal project coordination.
· Prepare scientific publications, technical briefs, and dissemination content aligned with project objectives.
Qualifications:
· Ph.D. in Agroforestry, Environmental Modelling, Agricultural Engineering, Climate Science, or related discipline.
· Proven experience in one or more of the following: agroforestry modelling, digital agriculture, climate-smart technologies, or stakeholder-oriented innovation.
· Demonstrated skills in programming, data analysis, modelling, and geospatial tools, including experience with crop or environmental models (e.g., APSIM, AquaCrop, SWAT), system dynamics, GIS/Remote Sensing, and WEFE Nexus modelling frameworks (e.g., WEAP, LEAP, CLEWS).
· Strong communication skills, especially in multidisciplinary and cross-cultural environments.
· Fluency in English (working knowledge of French is a strong asset).
Preferred Skills:
· Experience with AI or IoT-based research or deployment in agriculture/environment.
· Prior work involving stakeholder engagement, training facilitation, or co-design methodologies.
· Familiarity with EU-funded project reporting or coordination support.
Application procedure:
Interested candidates should submit the following:
• A detailed CV outlining relevant experience and qualifications.
• A cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how your skills and experience align with the role. Please submit your application to candidature@wascal.org and indicate the job title in the subject line.
Applications will be accepted until 15th September 2025. Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted in English. Please visit www.wascal.org for further information.
WASCAL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate Gender and Diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Therefore, women are encouraged to apply.