Scientist – Livestock GHG MRV and Circular Bioeconomy

Role Overview

This senior scientist will lead research that improves how livestock-related greenhouse gas emissions are measured, understood and reduced, with particular attention to manure management, biogas and circular use of resources. The role spans experimental design, field and laboratory measurement, analysis and publication, while also safeguarding the scientific quality, safety and effective operation of the Mazingira laboratory.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to collaborative research on livestock emissions, animal productivity, climate adaptation and mitigation, and circular bioeconomy approaches.
• Plan and deliver laboratory, research-station and farm studies, including measurement campaigns; oversee data analysis and reporting while maintaining scientific standards, animal welfare and robust quality controls.
• Develop, test and use methods for quantifying methane from enteric fermentation and manure, and for assessing biogas systems with suitable laboratory, field, mobile or remote instruments.
• Produce and interpret evidence to refine IPCC Tier 2 estimates, including feed and activity information, volatile solids, methane-producing potential, methane conversion factors and manure-management system shares.
• Assess practical manure-management, anaerobic digestion, biogas-use and bioslurry options for livestock systems with low or moderate inputs.
• Improve measurement, reporting and verification methods and tools for national emissions inventories, NDCs, mitigation initiatives and credible carbon-market use; analyse impacts and uncertainty using appropriate statistical, modelling and, where useful, machine-learning techniques.
• Set up and maintain research protocols, data-management plans, operating procedures, risk assessments and QA/QC documentation; publish findings and prepare technical, policy and public-facing communications.
• Help develop proposals, partnerships and project budgets, and mobilize resources; work with research, government, university, development, private-sector and farming-community partners.
• Guide and mentor technical staff, research associates, interns and postgraduate students, and build research capacity.
• Oversee the Mazingira laboratory’s analytical methods, equipment and LIMS, including method validation, calibration, maintenance, data integrity, quality systems, capacity planning and prioritization of analytical work.
• Coordinate with institutional teams on laboratory safety, regulatory obligations, servicing and procurement, and carry out other duties related to the scientific remit.

Requirements & Qualifications

• PhD in animal science, environmental science or engineering, agricultural engineering, biogeochemistry, microbiology, or a related discipline relevant to livestock emissions and circular bioeconomy.
• At least 10 years of relevant research experience after the PhD in livestock greenhouse gas measurement, manure management, biogas, circular bioeconomy or a closely related area.
• Evidence of leading or coordinating research, publishing peer-reviewed work and technical outputs, and contributing to competitive proposals and funded projects.
• Strong command of livestock emissions measurement, including practical experience operating, calibrating and maintaining gas analysers and associated laboratory or field equipment.
• Knowledge of IPCC inventory approaches, emission factors, MRV, uncertainty assessment and QA/QC for livestock emissions.
• Strong quantitative, statistical and data-management abilities, including proficiency in R, Python or comparable analytical software.
• Experience in livestock systems in low- and middle-income countries is expected to be valuable; experience in Africa is particularly desirable. Familiarity with mobile, remote-sensing or spatial measurement platforms is an advantage.
• Proven scientific writing, communication, proposal-development and project-management skills.
• Ability to work constructively across disciplines, cultures and stakeholder groups, and experience supervising technical colleagues or graduate researchers in safe, inclusive research environments.
• Willingness and ability to undertake fieldwork and travel in Africa and internationally as required.