International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) · 1 month ago
Senior Scientist - Sustainable Fertilizers, Soil Health, and Climate Solutions
Muscle Shoals, AL
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
15+ years expInternational Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization focused on food security and poverty alleviation. The Senior Scientist will provide scientific leadership and programmatic direction in sustainable fertilizer innovation, soil health, and climate solutions, translating research into scalable interventions for farmers and agricultural stakeholders.
AgricultureFood and BeverageNon Profit
Responsibilities
Provide technical leadership on sustainable fertilizer systems, including biological, organomineral, and enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, with a focus on soil health, nutrient-use efficiency (NUE), and emissions mitigation (N₂O, CH₄)
Design and oversee field trials, validation studies, and demonstration networks to generate robust agronomic, environmental, and economic evidence for fertilizer products and practices
Lead the integration of life-cycle assessment (LCA), soil carbon, and GHG accounting into IFDC fertilizer research and innovation programs
Ensure scientific rigor, quality assurance, and alignment with international best practices and standards
Develop and implement innovative approaches for nutrient cycling, including the valorization of organic waste streams and biofertilizers to enhance soil fertility and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs
Drive the integration of low-emissions agriculture principles across all IFDC programs, ensuring that nutrient management strategies align with climate mitigation goals
Lead IFDC’s technical engagement on agriculture and soil carbon methodologies, including MRV/DMRV systems relevant to fertilizer and soil management interventions
Support the development and validation of carbon-in-soil and emissions-reduction approaches linked to fertilizer use, organic amendments, and regenerative practices
Lead IFDC’s engagement in Carbon markets and Agriculture and Land Use projects, including the design, validation, and implementation of robust carbon accounting and crediting methodologies
Provide expert guidance on the quantification and verification of soil carbon sequestration and GHG reductions within agricultural value chains
Identify opportunities to monetize environmental services from regenerative agriculture practices through carbon and other ecosystem service markets
Engage with international standards bodies, auditors, and technical experts to ensure IFDC science informs credible carbon certification and climate finance pathways (without IFDC acting as a certifier)
Design and manage multi-country, multi-partner programs that link fertilizer innovation with farmer adoption, climate outcomes, and market access
Translate scientific research and biogeochemical modelling insights into practical, scalable interventions for farmers and agricultural stakeholders worldwide
Ensure that IFDC's initiatives effectively measure and communicate the impact of improved soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics on climate resilience and productivity
Translate research outputs into practical guidance, toolkits, decision-support tools, and policy-relevant recommendations
Contribute to IFDC’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks, ensuring measurable impact and learning across programs
Build and manage strategic partnerships with research institutions, governments, private sector (fertilizer companies, agri-businesses), NGOs, and multilateral agencies
Lead or support grant writing, donor engagement, and co-financing strategies, including bilateral donors, foundations, climate finance actors, and private-sector partners
Represent IFDC in global forums on fertilizers, soil health, climate-smart agriculture, and carbon markets
Provide evidence-based inputs to national and international policy dialogues on fertilizer regulation, soil health, climate mitigation, and sustainable agriculture
Support capacity building of national institutions, including laboratories, extension systems, and regulatory agencies, in fertilizer evaluation, emissions measurement, and data-driven decision-making
Strengthen IFDC’s role as a trusted science-policy-market interface
Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams of scientists, agronomists, and program staff across regions
Foster collaboration across IFDC departments and with external partners
Support publication of peer-reviewed articles, technical reports, and policy briefs to enhance IFDC’s global scientific credibility
Qualification
Required
PhD in Environmental Science, Soil Science, Agronomy, Climate Science, or related field
15+ years of progressive experience in sustainable agriculture, soil health, fertilizer systems, or climate adaptation/mitigation
Demonstrated expertise in soil GHG emissions, nutrient management, organic amendments, regenerative agriculture, and climate-smart agriculture
Strong experience leading large, complex, multi-disciplinary programs across geographies
Proven track record in resource mobilization, donor-funded projects, and partnership management
Ability to translate complex science into scalable, farmer-relevant and policy-relevant solutions
Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills
Preferred
Experience with carbon standards, MRV systems, and voluntary or compliance carbon markets
Familiarity with fertilizer product development, stewardship, and regulatory environments
Experience working with multilateral agencies, foundations, and private-sector fertilizer companies
Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals
International experience and familiarity with different research and innovation funding mechanisms
Experience in establishing public-private partnerships and fostering innovation ecosystems (startups, incubators, accelerators)
Recognized publications, patents, or innovations in fertilizer science, soil health, or sustainable agriculture
Benefits
Annual and sick leave
Health, dental, vision and group life insurance coverage
Social security and pension contribution in compliance with local laws
Company
International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)
IFDC is an independent non-profit organization that combines innovative research, market systems development, and strategic partnerships to identify and scale sustainable soil solutions for improved food security and livelihoods around the world.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Henk van Duijn 万代英
President and CEO
Scott Angle
President and CEO
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