Type of contract:
An initial fixed-term contract with a duration of one (1) year with the possibility of an indefinite contract, according to the fulfillment of objectives and work performance, according to the requirements established in the position and the Internal Work Regulations of Cenicaña.
Purpose of the charge
Coordinate and execute research in the area of digital agriculture focused on sugarcane cultivation, developing technological solutions that respond to the needs of the sector. The position seeks to integrate advanced digital tools—such as sensors, satellite images, artificial intelligence, big data, IoT, and GIS—with agronomic knowledge, fostering collaboration and synergy with other Cenicaña programs and areas to generate precise recommendations. Additionally, the position will lead processes for transferring results, promoting their adoption by clients, contributing to more efficient and sustainable production. A strong combination of technical knowledge, analytical skills, and understanding of the agricultural environment is required.
Requirements:
- Professional with more than five years of experience and a university degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, or related fields. Graduate degrees (master's or doctorate) with a focus on precision agriculture, geomatics, digital agriculture, or remote sensing. Degrees issued by foreign universities must be recognized in Colombia.
- It is essential to demonstrate command of the English language.
- Colombian driver's license B1 or higher.
- Availability to travel throughout the sugarcane production area in the Cauca and Risaralda river valleys, as well as the Colombian highlands.
Technical knowledge in:
- Management and execution of research, development and innovation projects
- Geographic information systems (GIS), cartography and digital soil mapping.
- Using data management tools to improve agricultural productivity with a site-specific agriculture (SSA) approach.
- Use of drones and satellite images for agricultural applications
- Experimental design and data analysis
- Proficiency in specific analysis tools (e.g., languages like Python or R, Big Data platforms, experience with machine learning models applied to agronomy). (Preferred)
- Specific experience in sugarcane. (Preferred)
Specific competencies of the position:
- Design, plan, manage, and coordinate research, technological development, innovation, and extension activities carried out in the area of digital agriculture.
- Identify problems, technological, automation, and mechanization needs, and propose solutions using precision and site-specific agriculture to improve the productivity and profitability of sugarcane cultivation.
- Accompany and advise mills and sugarcane growers in the selection and evaluation of precision agriculture strategies and practices to improve the productivity and profitability of sugarcane cultivation.
- Continuously interact with sugar mill employees, sugarcane growers, service providers, universities, state-owned enterprises, and users of digital agriculture technologies in general.
- Prepare and disseminate reports of results with a scientific structure, participate in work meetings in Cenicaña, Mills and Institutions of the Agricultural Sector.
- Disseminate and transfer research results through different means to the staff of the Sugar Mills, Growers, Cenicaña Researchers and other related actors.
- Interact responsibly and adequately with human resources and make efficient use of the physical and financial resources used in the scientific research process.
- Establish effective working relationships and actively seek collaboration with other research areas, programs (SETI, Analytics), and departments within Cenicaña and with external entities (mills, universities, suppliers) to achieve shared goals and enhance results.
Personal skills:
- Research capacity
- Teamwork
- Strategic Leadership
- Influential communication
- Innovation and digital transformation
- Results-oriented
- Systemic thinking
- Planning and good organization skills
General Information
- Work hours: Monday to Friday from 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Includes transportation en route from Cali or Palmira to the experimental station
Deadline: May 23, 2025
How to apply for the vacancy
Candidates must register their resume in the menu #WorkYesThere is in the form Selecting: Job Interest Type > Principal Investigator in Digital Agriculture
