Dairy Scientist

Position :
Dairy Scientist
Location :
Preferably in Delhi. Open to all locations in India
Qualification :
Ph.D. in animal sciences or related and 2 years of related experience,
Experience :
Minimum 2 years relevant work experience in the livestock sector.
Travel :
The role will involve travel up to 30-50%,
Type of Employment :
Full-time employment

Samvedna Development Society (SDS)  seeks a Scientist to support initiatives across livestock and the dairy sector in India focused on climate smart dairy and livestock management solutions for rural communities. This role will focus on enhancing collaboration, co-designing, implementing and scaling of climate smart dairy initiatives, largely related to strong scientific research but also involving social and technical aspects, and scientific partner engagement.

The ideal candidate will thrive in a cross-functional environment, balancing scientific insights with pragmatic solutions to achieve wins for people and the planet.

The Scientist will be the technical support for Climate Smart Dairy development initiatives  in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra . The incumbent will identify and nurture relationships with key Indian technical and research institutions working in the field of livestock development, dairy and milk productivity enhancement, animal health, and climate change. The incumbent will support the team members engaged in climate-smart dairy development projects with actionable and scientifically sound solutions.
Employment:  Term hire 2 years with potential for extension

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Cross-functional collaboration
Co-ordinate multi-disciplinary research projects across livestock and dairy in India, enhancing technical and research capacity.
Act as a liaison between SDS and partners, ensuring alignment on strategic priorities.
Facilitate knowledge exchange between India-based and international teams.
Technical Capacity Building
Support the development and implementation of livestock and dairy related initiatives, leveraging scientific expertise.
Contribute to landscape assessments of livestock and dairy sector challenges in target geographies to support problem and scientific solution identification
Provide insights and analysis to inform decision-making on collaborative agriculture, water and food projects.
Partner Engagement
Build and maintain relationships with scientific research institutions, and other relevant stakeholders like milk coops, dairy companies, implementation partner and governmental agencies to support on development of strategic vision for agriculture, water, and food programming
Represent SDS and client EDF supported research project at in-person and virtual meetings and events across India.
Project Management
Track project timelines and outcomes and ensure timely completion of deliverables.
Document progress and prepare reports to update key stakeholders regularly.
Time Zone Coordination
Participate in cross-time-zone meetings, including USA-friendly hours.
Balance real-time and asynchronous communication effectively.
Communications
Contribute to peer reviewed journal publications, white papers, blog posts, and other written materials for internal and external audiences
Support in developing reports and communication material to showcase the status/progress/impact of research projects supported by EDF.
Applied Research & Scientific Leadership
Lead and support  applied dairy and livestock research , with a focus on  climate-smart and sustainable dairy systems
Design and implement  experimental research frameworks , pilot studies, and scientific validation of dairy interventions
Conduct research related to  animal nutrition, livestock productivity, milk yield optimisation, and animal health
Analyse research and field data using appropriate  statistical and analytical methods  to generate evidence-based insights
Equity and inclusion
EDF and SDS are equal opportunity employers, and the position is open for all qualified applicants.

COMPETENCIES & SOFT SKILLS
Communication:
The incumbent should be adept at navigating relationships in a cross-cultural context, and a strong capacity for working within a coalition of partners.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences
Fluency in English is required and knowledge of the local Indian language will be beneficial for this position.
Interpersonal skills:
Strong relationships building and management skills.
Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Management skills:
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment.
Ability to multitask and prioritize work based on evolving requirements and timelines.
Report to - Project Lead, SDS

Why Join Us
Be part of a passionate team committed to driving social impact through meaningful, well-executed projects. At SDS, your skills and expertise…