The Role
The intern will design and develop a Digital Twin prototype for crop growth simulation, integrating data sources and validating crop models across various agronomic factors.
Summary Generated by Built In
The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking service-oriented Master Student for Digital Services to support the development of a functional Digital Twin for crop growth requires sustained, focused technical effort across data engineering, crop model integration, and predictive analytics.
About CIP: CIP is a member of the One CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. One CGIAR science is dedicated to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis, and it is carried out by 13 CGIAR Centers/Alliances in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations, and the private sector.
About the role: the MSc-level research intern will support the design and development of a Digital Twin prototype for crop growth simulation, integrating multi-source agronomic and environmental data within the One CGIAR DTA POD. This position will be based in CIP’s Kigali, Rwanda office and will report directly to Country Manager and Data Scientist.
Key internship activities:
• Review available data sources (field trials, soil, weather, remote sensing) and document what exists, what is missing, and how data will be harmonized; Data inventory and gap analysis report
• Build a data pipeline that pulls, cleans, and structures inputs from multiple sources into a format the crop model can use; Functional data integration pipeline
• Configure and calibrate a crop growth model (e.g., DSSAT or APSIM) for the target crop and agro-ecological zone; Parameterized crop model
• Develop scenario simulation capability allowing key agronomic and climate variables to be adjusted virtually and outcomes compared; Digital Twin prototype with scenario module
• Test model predictions against available field trial data and document how well the model performs; Validation report
• Write up the approach and findings for a working paper or journal article; Draft manuscript
Requirements
• MSc student in Crop Science, Agronomy, Agricultural Systems Modelling, or Computational Biology (Student currently enrolled in or have recently completed an MSc programme)
• Hands-on experience configuring, running, or calibrating at least one crop growth simulation model (DSSAT, APSIM, or AquaCrop), even at coursework or thesis level.
• Demonstrated Python or R programming skills applied to real data — data cleaning, analysis, and visualization
• Experience working with agronomic or field trial datasets, including an understanding of experimental variables such as soil, weather, fertiliser, and yield measurements
• Familiarity with remote sensing or gridded climate data products (e.g., CHIRPS, ERA5, Sentinel, or MODIS), even at a basic level
• Experience writing technical or scientific documents such as a thesis chapter, lab report, or research proposal
• Ability to work independently and manage own time across a structured 6-month workplan
• Comfortable working in a multicultural, multi-institutional research environment
• Willingness to engage with field teams and data providers across multiple countries
• English: Full professional proficiency (reading, writing, and oral communication) — required
Benefits
Why should you consider this opportunity?
• CIP is a global and reputable international organization that has a strong, state-of-the-art R&D background, and a recent World Food Price Winner and awarded with the Al-Sumait Award for our Orange Flesh Sweet Potato work in Africa.
• CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improving nutrition and well-being, and gender equity for poor people in roots, tubers farming and food systems in the developing world.
• CIP is a member of the CGIAR, a network of 15 research centers that are mostly located in developing countries and supported by more than 50 donor members.
What are we offering?
• Excellent working environment.
• 7-months term learning agreement (From May to November 2026).
• Work in an equal and diverse workplace.
How to apply?
Visit the following link: (http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/) to apply.
Application documents: Resume updated, cover letter of motivation and recommendation letter of professor/college advisor. The deadline for the receipt of applications is May 10, 2026. Please note that while all applications are reviewed by our team, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position limited to Rwandan nationals and permanent residents only.
This position WILL NOT have contact with children or vulnerable adults
Learn more about CIP by accessing our website at http://www.cipotato.org
CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals are particularly encouraged to apply.
CIP does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training). CIP also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
Skills Required
- MSc student in Crop Science, Agronomy, Agricultural Systems Modelling, or Computational Biology
- Experience configuring, running, or calibrating a crop growth simulation model (DSSAT, APSIM, or AquaCrop)
- Demonstrated Python or R programming skills applied to real data
- Experience working with agronomic or field trial datasets
- Familiarity with remote sensing or gridded climate data products
- Experience writing technical or scientific documents
- Ability to work independently and manage time
- Full professional proficiency in English
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The Company
What We Do
CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. Its science aims to reduce poverty, enhance food and nutrition security, and improve natural resources and ecosystem services.
