Research Officer—Farm Production

Job Description

Requirements

• Applicants should hold Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering or BSc Biosystems Engineering Plus a Master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering with a bias in farm power and production machinery.
• A PhD in the field of agricultural engineering is an added advantage
• Knowledge of human power systems, draft animal power technologies and motorized power systems application and utilization in agriculture
• Knowledge and skills in Computer Aided Designs (CAD) and Microsoft Office
• Innovative skills in designing, fabrication, testing and evaluating farm tools, implements and machinery.
• Three years working experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research studies on technological, ergonomic and socio-economic aspects of farm production tools, implements and machinery
• Design, specify materials and produce working drawings and blue prints to aid in IP applications, fabrication of farm production tools, implements and machinery.
• Guide the fabrication of the designed prototypes of farm production tools, implements and machinery in conformity with acceptable quality standards and social factors
• Plan and conduct experiments for evaluating the designed and fabricated prototypes of farm production tools, implements and machinery
• Conduct data analysis, report writing, and produce research publications and dissemination materials
• Develop annual research activities, budgets and work plans in the area of farm tools, implements and machinery
• Develop project proposals to secure funding for research and development in line with the institute’s strategic plan and government development frameworks
• Train stakeholders (famers, fabricators, rural artisans, extension workers, etc.) in different aspects of farm tools, implements and machinery.
• Disseminate proven farm tools, implements and machinery to uptake pathways for adoption and scaling up
• Prepare and submit technical and periodic reports in the research area of farm tools, implements and machinery
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned from time to time