Open Position: Senior Scientist – Agriculture for Environmental Services

APNI is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Senior Scientist – Agriculture for Environmental Services for one of APNI’s regional offices.

About the African Plant Nutrition Institute 

APNI is a not-for-profit research and development Institute based in Benguérir, Morocco. The Institute works to develop and promote sustainable plant nutrition management practices and innovation through research, education, and outreach. It has research projects in East, West, and North Africa. APNI was launched in 2019, and this new position offers the opportunity to join a rapidly growing team that is dedicated to improving farmer livelihood through proper crop nutrition. It currently has four offices across Africa. 

Please refer to our website for more information: www.apni.net 

 

Purpose of the Position 

Environmental services, such as soil carbon sequestration, water regulation, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation, are critical for achieving sustainable agricultural transformation in Africa. Yet, climate change, land degradation, and water scarcity threaten these services and the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers. Plant nutrition plays a pivotal role in restoring and enhancing environmental services while improving productivity and resilience. APNI seeks a highly qualified and motivated Senior Scientist to lead its research and innovation portfolio in agriculture for environmental services, integrating plant nutrition science with climate-smart, biodiversity-friendly, and resource-efficient farming systems in diverse African agroecological zones. 

The Senior Scientist – Agriculture for Environmental Services will: 

• Advance scientific understanding of environmental services in African agriculture, with a strong focus on the role of plant nutrition in soil health, water use efficiency, and climate resilience. 

• Design and lead research that delivers actionable, evidence-based strategies to enhance agricultural sustainability and productivity. 

• Influence policy and practice through high-quality research outputs, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. 

• Build capacity among farmers, extension agents, scientists, and policymakers through targeted training, mentorship, and outreach. 

 

Terms of Reference 

 

A. Strategic Leadership in Environmental Services Research: 

1. Develop and implement APNI’s environmental services research agenda in alignment with the Institute’s mission and R&D strategy. 
2. Identify and prioritize research areas linking plant nutrition to soil carbon sequestration, GHG mitigation, water regulation, biodiversity conservation, and land restoration. 
3. Secure funding and partnerships to expand research scope and impact. 
4. Ensure research relevance and excellence through rigorous design, execution, and evaluation.  
5. Mentor junior scientists and technical staff, fostering their professional development. 
6. Lead by example in maintaining high ethical standards and scientific integrity. 

B. Research Design, Innovation & Data-Driven Insights: 

1. Lead the development of innovative methodologies, tools, and models to quantify and enhance environmental services in agriculture. 
2. Integrate geospatial analytics, remote sensing, and process-based modeling into research design and monitoring. 
3. Publish in high-impact journals and contribute to thought leadership in the field.  

 C. Collaborate on High-Impact Projects: 

1. Work collaboratively with APNI’s research teams to conceptualize, develop, and implement high-impact research projects addressing key challenges in African agriculture. 
2. Foster partnerships with national and international organizations, governments, and stakeholders to enhance research impact. 

 D. Capacity Building & Knowledge Transfer: 

1. Design and deliver training programs for diverse stakeholders, from farmers to policymakers. 
2. Mentor junior scientists, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.  

 E. Publications and Outreach 

1. Disseminate findings through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, policy briefs, and other channels. 
2. Develop accessible knowledge products—policy briefs, guidelines, extension materials—that translate science into practice.
3. Engage with media and public outreach to raise awareness about environmental services in agriculture. 

 

Qualifications and Experience 

Requirement	Details
Education	Ph.D. in environmental sciences, agronomy, soil science, geography, or related field.
Experience	At least 7 years of post-doctoral experience in research for development, preferably in Africa.
Skills	Strong research and analytical skills in plant nutrition and environmental services; expertise in soil carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, land degradation, or climate change. Experience with field-scale and landscape process modeling, GIS, or remote sensing is an advantage.
Communication	Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; knowledge of French or Arabic is an advantage.
Teamwork	Proven ability to work in multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams.
Publications	Demonstrated record of publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

 

Terms of Employment 

• Condition: Full-time, permanent (subject to a six-month probation period) 

• Duty Station: One of APNI’s regional offices (Nairobi, Kenya; Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire; or Benguérir/Settat, Morocco) 

• Travel: Regular travel across Africa for fieldwork, stakeholder engagement, and conferences 

 

Qualified candidates should send all application materials in English, including a detailed CV, an application letter, and the email addresses of three professional references to employment@apni.net with the position name APNI Senior Scientist AES mentioned in the subject line.  

The deadline for application is 30th of September 2025. Only candidates receiving an interview will be contacted.