About the Role

Seeking a creative agricultural mechanization researcher to test and iterate on smallholder farming technologies, evaluate their impact on farmers in terms of productivity boosts and cost reductions and help improve the rigour and efficiency of trials at research stations.

Responsibilities

Lead Mechanisation Research & Feasibility Assessment

• Conduct phase 0 research to identify high-impact smallholder mechanisation opportunities through market scans, feasibility studies, adoption analysis, and financial modelling.
• Assess risks, scalability, and farmer adoption potential to prioritise mechanisation research investments.

Design, Adapt & Validate Mechanisation Solutions

• Select, adapt, and refine mechanisation technologies (e.g. planters, weeders, harvest and post-harvest tools, irrigation devices) based on farmer needs and contextual constraints.
• Design and oversee rigorous trials to creatively evaluate and iterate on machine performance, usability, efficiency, and cost reduction potential.
• Develop robust impact models assessing financial, environmental, and health outcomes.

Deliver High-Quality Trials & Actionable Insights

• Ensure scientifically sound trial design, data collection protocols, and quality control across station and field trials.
• Analyse and synthesise trial data into clear recommendations and decision-ready insights.
• Present findings to internal teams, partners, and external stakeholders.

Provide Technical & Operational Leadership for Research Stations

• Oversee research rigour, operational efficiency, performance management, and SLA adherence across research stations.
• Strengthen SOPs, data integrity, and communication flows between stations and trial owners.
• Manage station capacity, resources, and infrastructure to support high-quality trial execution.

Build Partnerships, Develop Teams & Drive Continuous Improvement

• Manage relationships with manufacturers, fabricators, academic institutions, and sector experts to co-develop and improve mechanisation solutions.
• Mentor and manage research staff, aligning performance and priorities with departmental goals.
• Lead process improvements, capacity-building initiatives, and cross-organisational collaboration to increase impact and efficiency.

Career Growth and Development

We have a strong culture of constant learning and we invest in developing our people. You’ll have weekly check-ins with your manager, access to mentorship and training programs, and regular feedback on your performance. We hold career reviews every six months, and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals. You’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding long-term career.

Qualifications

Across all roles, these are the general qualifications we look for. For this role specifically, you will have:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Mechanisation, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in smallholder agricultural mechanisation and interpreting machine design and specifications.
• Well-rounded agronomic foundation (e.g. cropping systems, IPM, ISFM) and strong grounding in agroecologically sound agriculture.
• Proven ability to design and manage field trials using robust experimental design and sampling best practices.
• Analytical skills, including statistical analysis and impact modelling using R, Excel, or similar tools.
• High level of independence, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration in applied research environments.
• Fabrication/welding skills is a plus.

Preferred Start Date

As soon as possible

Contract Duration

2 years, transformable to permanent in the case of good performance

Benefits

Health insurance, paid time off

Eligibility

This role is only open to citizens or permanent residents of Rwanda

• Conduct phase 0 research to identify high-impact smallholder mechanisation opportunities through market scans, feasibility studies, adoption analysis, and financial modelling.
• Assess risks, scalability, and farmer adoption potential to prioritise mechanisation research investments.
• Select, adapt, and refine mechanisation technologies (e.g. planters, weeders, harvest and post-harvest tools, irrigation devices) based on farmer needs and contextual constraints.
• Design and oversee rigorous trials to creatively evaluate and iterate on machine performance, usability, efficiency, and cost reduction potential.
• Develop robust impact models assessing financial, environmental, and health outcomes.
• Ensure scientifically sound trial design, data collection protocols, and quality control across station and field trials.
• Analyse and synthesise trial data into clear recommendations and decision-ready insights.
• Present findings to internal teams, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Oversee research rigour, operational efficiency, performance management, and SLA adherence across research stations.
• Strengthen SOPs, data integrity, and communication flows between stations and trial owners.
• Manage station capacity, resources, and infrastructure to support high-quality trial execution.
• Manage relationships with manufacturers, fabricators, academic institutions, and sector experts to co-develop and improve mechanisation solutions.
• Mentor and manage research staff, aligning performance and priorities with departmental goals.
• Lead process improvements, capacity-building initiatives, and cross-organisational collaboration to increase impact and efficiency.

• Agricultural mechanisation
• Interpreting machine design and specifications
• Agronomic foundation (cropping systems, IPM, ISFM)
• Agroecologically sound agriculture
• Designing and managing field trials
• Robust experimental design
• Sampling best practices
• Statistical analysis
• Impact modelling (R, Excel, or similar tools)
• Independence
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Collaboration
• Fabrication/welding skills (plus)

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Mechanisation, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in smallholder agricultural mechanisation and interpreting machine design and specifications.
• Well-rounded agronomic foundation (e.g. cropping systems, IPM, ISFM) and strong grounding in agroecologically sound agriculture.
• Proven ability to design and manage field trials using robust experimental design and sampling best practices.
• Analytical skills, including statistical analysis and impact modelling using R, Excel, or similar tools.
• High level of independence, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration in applied research environments.
• Fabrication/welding skills is a plus.