Scientist I - Quantitative Economics and Data Science

Job ID:

HQ01920

Location

Philippines

Closing Date

31-Aug-2026

About IRRI

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.

Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Principal Scientist, the Scientist I for Quantitative Economics and Data Science will provide strategic analytical leadership in the Inclusive Markets and Value Chains Research Unit to advance IRRI’s 2025–2030 Strategy and CGIAR Science Programs. The role drives foresight, market intelligence, and ex-ante impact assessment to guide technology targeting and R&D investment prioritization. Working in close collaboration with interdisciplinary research teams, technology partners, and value chain and policy stakeholders, the position leads the design and application of advanced quantitative tools that generate decision-relevant

evidence for value chain upgrading and food system transformation.

This role requires a strong interdisciplinary foundation at the intersection of economics, data science, and food systems, with emphasis on AI/ML-enabled analytics, foresight modelling (nutrition and health, climate and environment, poverty and livelihoods, gender and social inclusion), and lean data ecosystems. By integrating social science insights with technological innovation and policy engagement, the Quantitative Economist-Data Scientist strengthens IRRI’s and CGIAR’s capacity to deliver scalable intelligence that informs investment decisions, accelerates innovation, and supports inclusive, sustainable agrifood system transformation.

This position will be based at the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Philippines and is open for international applications.

Roles and Responsibilities
  • Provide strategic leadership  for the Global Market Intelligence Platform (GloMIP), ensuring scalability, institutional relevance, and robust frontend/backend development.
  • Lead CGIAR Packages of Deliverables (PoDs) and bilateral projects and project components.
  • Develop and maintain foresight and scenario tools to inform long term prioritization, investment planning, and strategic choices.
  • Lead the integration and governance of AI/ML and advanced analytics, embedding predictive and foresight capabilities into IRRI’s and CGIAR’s decision-support systems.
  • Oversee ex-ante impact assessment and benefit projection models and reporting, translating analytical results into actionable guidance for policy and funding decisions.
  • Architect and strengthen lean, interoperable data ecosystems, setting standards for FAIR, reusable, and policy-ready analytics.
  • Provide policy support and evidence-based insights to science programs, management, and external stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the representation of the Inclusive Markets and Value Chains Unit  and IRRI in CGIAR Science Programs and Accelerators and bilateral projects, contributing thought leadership, strengthening external partnerships and integrating portfolios through data ecosystems and system interoperability.
  • Drive integration of social sciences, technology, and policy partners to ensure analytical tools are demand driven and decision relevant.
  • Contribute to capacity building and knowledge sharing, mentoring staff and partners in advanced quantitative methods and foresight approaches.
  • Ensure alignment of analytical outputs with IRRI’s 2025–2030 Strategy and CGIAR’s global research agenda.
  • Supervise national staff researchers and students by providing guidance on work plans, ensuring quality and timely outputs, and supporting their professional development.
  • Collaborate with consultants, scientists across the CGIAR, national partners, students/research fellows, and the research team.
  • Foster good working relationships with national research and extension partners, both in public and private sectors, as well as donor representatives across the work region.
  • Engage partners in advanced research institutes to actively pursue research and funding opportunities.
  • Communicate key messages and project progress with donors, policymakers, and other primary stakeholders.
  • Develop and write high-quality research outputs and publications, such as technical reports, policy briefs, journal articles, and other knowledge products.
  • Lead refinement of existing and development of new institutional digital tools (online and offline) for long-term quantitative analysis and evidence-based support of stakeholders.
  • Manage project budgets and partnership agreements with support from supervisor and team.
  • Contribute to and lead quantitative studies of food systems transformation.
  • Contribute to policy advice and discussions.
  • Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by supervisor from time to time
Qualifications
  • PhD in agricultural or development economics and data sciences (or related field)
  • 2-3 years experience at Post-doctoral Fellow level in IRRI or 2-5 years post PhD relevant work experience for external candidates
Skills Required

Mandatory

  • Proven ability or potential to perform in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment.
  • Has demonstrated quantitative skills and familiarity with mixed methods approaches.
  • Strong knowledge in the field of food and nutrition, specifically in Non
  • Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and biofortification, and climate change.
  • Familiarity with the production specifics of rice and other key global commodities, including cassava, wheat, maize, and beans.
  • Has demonstrated analytical skills
  • Proven ability or potential to integrate gender and social dimensions in research design and analysis
  • Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English

Preferred

  • Proficiency in using R (packages tidyverse, shiny)
  • At least 4 years of experience in applied research on agriculture
  • Familiar with the CGIAR programs and system

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.

Join our team and be part of our story!

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

This position will remain open until filled.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.