International Potato Center
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Ref: 2026/03/NRS/IND/ASIA
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE - POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGIST
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
The International Potato Center (CIP) is looking for one (1) Research Associate Post Harvest Technologist for CIP South Asia Regional Center.
About CIP: CIP is part of the CGIAR global research partnership committed to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. CIP's mission is to develop and share science-based innovations in potato, sweet potato, and other root and tuber crops. CIP partners with organizations in over 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to strengthen agri-food systems and provide economic, social, and nutritional benefits, especially for women and youth. We integrate social and biophysical sciences to address complex challenges in food and agriculture. For more information, please visit https://cipotato.org/about/.
About CSARC: The CIP South Asia Regional Center (CSARC), Agra, serves as a key hub for agricultural research and development focused on potato and sweetpotato systems in South Asia. The center supports research initiatives aimed at improving crop productivity, climate resilience, and sustainable farming practices. It collaborates with national research institutions, government agencies, private players and development partners to promote innovative agricultural solutions.
About the position: The Research Associate will be responsible for implementing trainings and research activities related to farm practices,
post-harvest management, storage technologies, processing, and quality management of potato, sweetpotato and other root and tuber crops. The role will primarily focus on minimizing post-harvest losses, enhancing shelf life, and improving product quality, with a preference for experience in processing sector. The successful candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary research teams at CSARC to improve post-harvest handling, reduce losses, and strengthen potato value chains in South Asia.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct research processes related to post-harvest handling, storage technologies, and processing of potato and other root and tuber crops. Contribute to the development and validation of post-harvest protocols and storage technologies aimed at reducing losses and improving product quality. Conduct trials related to storage conditions (temperature, humidity, ventilation, etc).
- Collaborate with plant breeders, agronomists, food technologists, and value chain experts to integrate post-harvest requirements into varietal development, optimize storage and processing performance, and improve end-to-end potato value chain efficiency.
- Analyze experimental data and contribute to the preparation of technical reports, scientific publications, and research recommendations. Design and deliver comprehensive training programs and field demonstrations on improved potato production, post-harvest management, quality standards, and value chain practices.
- Coordinate and organize training, visits, stalls, and exhibitions at CSARC or elsewhere in coordination with various units
- Prepare training reports, document outcomes and lessons learned, and provide technical support to promote the adoption of best practices across seed, production, harvesting, and post-harvest systems. Contribute to the preparation of grant proposals and research funding applications, including providing technical inputs, data, and supporting documentation. Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards in post-harvest operations.
- Contributes to the evaluation, promotion, and standardization of mechanized operations across potato cultivation and post-harvest stages, including planting, earthing-up, haulm cutting, harvesting, grading, and packaging, to improve efficiency and reduce losses. Evaluate, introduce, and build capacity on appropriate-scale machinery (planters, diggers, graders, and packhouse equipment) for farmers, FPOs, and service providers to enhance productivity and quality.
- Support the presentation of research findings at workshops, seminars, and scientific meetings. Conduct laboratory testing of stored materials in accordance with FSSAI protocols to ensure food safety, quality compliance, and suitability for fresh consumption and processing.
