Research on the Planning and Evaluation of Agricultural Water Management and Water Resources Management Systems in Irrigation Districts and River Basins

In developing regions, the efficient use of agricultural water and limited water resources is increasingly important for stable agricultural production amid climate-related variability in rainfall, frequency of droughts and floods, and growing demand for water.
The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) is developing and demonstrating field-level technologies on water-saving practices such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), drainage improvement, and salinity control. To extend these technologies to irrigation districts up to the river-basin scale, it is necessary that their effects on individual fields, water intake and distribution, drainage, storage, and functions of existing irrigation and drainage facilities be considered so that plans and systems suited to local conditions can be developed.
JIRCAS seeks a researcher who is capable of upscaling research outcomes from the field to the irrigation district level by way of research on the planning and evaluation of the management of agricultural water and water resources. The job entails assessing water balances and allocation, planning irrigation and drainage, and examining the functions, layout, and operation of water management facilities and improvements thereto. The researcher will also identify the conditions that make the application of the findings and planning-evaluation methods to other irrigation districts and river-basins feasible while analyzing the potential wider effects on water resources management.
The successful candidate is expected to draw on one’s expertise in agricultural water and water resources management and to collaborate with researchers of diverse disciplines from JIRCAS and from research institutions in Japan and abroad with the view of promoting sustainable water management in developing regions.

Work content and job description
■ Examples of Research Topics
1. Assessment of water balances, water allocation, irrigation and drainage planning in order to expand field-level technologies on water-saving practices such as AWD, drainage improvement, and salinity control to irrigation districts.
2. Planning and evaluation of irrigation and drainage systems including their functions, layout, operation, regulation, storage, and of improved operation or rehabilitation of existing facilities for the district-wide introduction of field-level technologies.
3. Examination of the conditions for applying research findings and methods to other irrigation districts and river-basins and assessment of their effects on water use and allocation, drought and flood risks, agricultural production, and other relevant outcomes.
■ Keywords

• Agricultural Water Management, Water Resources Management, Irrigation and Drainage, Hydrology and Water Cycle
• Ability to communicate in English and to collaborate with researchers from diverse cultural backgrounds to advance international collaborative research

Work experience

• Possesses the knowledge and skills required for the position as a research staff member
• Possess international awareness and language proficiency (English) to promote international collaborative research
• Research experience overseas is desirable

Official qualification in specific field, etc.

• Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N2 or higher, or equivalent Japanese language proficiency

Description

• This center promotes gender equality in keeping with the Basic Law for a Gender-Equal Society and encourages applications from female researchers.
• We welcome applications from foreign researchers, provided that they have obtained the necessary residence status to work at this organization in Japan by the date of employment.

Insurance
Employees' Health Insurance :
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Mutual Aid Association

Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace
Smoking is prohibited on the premises except for designated smoking rooms.

Attached documents
Application Form :
Online Submission
JIRCAS Researcher Entry Sheets

• Please fill out the prescribed form (EXCEL, Application Form Sheet).
• Be sure to include your email address (for administrative communications).
• Submit the Application Form Sheet and Publications Sheet in the same file (file name: Application Number-Applicant's Name-1.xls, e.g., 1-Kokusai Tarou-1.xls) without converting it to PDF.

Selection
1. Document screening: November 2026
2. Interview: January 2027
※Venue: Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (1-1 Oowashi, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture)

Notification of result
All applicants will be notified by email.
Application documents will not be returned regardless of the outcome.