The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking a motivated early career researcher to join its office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, as a Research Officer \u2013 Data-Driven Water and Climate Modelling.
The Research Officer (RO) will support IWMI\u2019s research and innovation agenda in data-driven water and climate systems management across Central Asia. The position focuses on developing and applying advanced modeling, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and geospatial analytics for sustainable water management, climate resilience, and ecosystem protection.
The Research Officer will support the development and implementation of data-driven modelling tools, including Earth Observation-based analyses, AI/ML applications for climate studies, and a Decision Support System (DSS). The role includes contributing to data-sharing and exchange frameworks, benefit-sharing templates, and analytical reporting to support informed decision-making in a transboundary context.
The RO will work at the intersection of policy, environmental (water, climate, ecosystems), and technical (modeling, data science, systems analysis) domains. The incumbent will also contribute to the development of comprehensive data-sharing agreements, benefit-sharing templates, and climate-informed data exchange protocols that promote transboundary cooperation and sustainable resource governance in Central Asia.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsibilities Related to the Thematic Area,
Apply machine learning and AI approaches for analyzing large climate, hydrological, and remote sensing datasets to derive insights on droughts, water productivity, and ecosystem health.Conduct climate data analysis (trend detection, projections, and extremes) using statistical and AI-based approaches to support scenario planning, climate risk assessment, and adaptation strategies.Perform geospatial analyses using Earth Observation (EO) and GIS tools to monitor land and water use dynamics, evapotranspiration, water quality, and environmental conditions.Support the development of online tools, dashboards, and visualization systems for real-time data sharing, decision support, and user engagement across transboundary river basins.Contribute to ecological flow analysis, identifying minimum environmental flow requirements and supporting integrated water management planning in the context of climate change.Assist in developing and testing data-sharing platforms and APIs for improved inter-agency cooperation and regional transparency on hydro\u2011climatic data.Support preparing a comprehensive data\u2011sharing agreement template for sustainable benefit sharing, and a draft data exchange protocol to facilitate cross\u2011border collaboration and integration of climate change considerations in data governance.Contribute to preparing a technical report on the benefits of using Decision Support Systems (DSS) in a transboundary context, demonstrating their value for cooperative water management and joint decision\u2011making.Responsibilities Related to Assisting the Project Leader with Project Management,
Review policy documents, strategies, and legal agreements related to water resources management, climate adaptation, and environmental governance.Provide analytical inputs and recommendations to policy briefs, technical reports, and project outputs, ensuring they promote sustainable benefit sharing, data transparency, and cross\u2011sectoral coordination.Support the formulation and harmonization of data exchange and benefit\u2011sharing mechanisms between national and regional partners.Engage with ministries, basin organizations, and partner institutions to align scientific findings and digital tools with ongoing policy processes, enhancing institutional cooperation and climate resilience.Requirements
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
Essential,
Desirable,
Experience with geospatial and hydrological modeling tools (ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth Engine, SWAT+, Pywr, WEAP) and dashboard development (Power BI, Streamlit).Prior work on data\u2011sharing or benefit\u2011sharing agreements and DSS\u2011related policy outputs.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
Essential,
Strong analytical, programming, and problem\u2011solving skills.Excellent data management, visualization, and coding capabilities.Ability to synthesize complex technical information into accessible formats for policy audiences.Proven ability to prepare technical reports, peer\u2011reviewed papers, and policy briefs.Excellent organizational, coordination, and teamwork skills.Strong attention to detail, creativity, and commitment to producing high\u2011quality research outputs.Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.Excellent oral and written language skills in English & Russian, including effective listening and strong verbal and written communication abilities.Desirable,
Knowledge of Uzbek and/or other regional languages.Benefits
This is a nationally recruited position and only Uzbek nationals will be considered. IWMI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, inclusive of health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of one year.
HOW TO APPLY:ย Apply for the position by following the application instructions atย www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on January 20, 2026 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.