Postdoctoral fellow - Department of Environment

4 May 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Ghent University

Research Field

Agricultural sciences » Other
Engineering » Agricultural engineering
Engineering » Mechanical engineering
Engineering » Other

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

19 May 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Last application date May 19, 2024 00:00

Department LA20 - Department of Environment

Contract Limited duration

Degree PhD in Mechatronics Engineering, Agriculture Engineering (not agronomy), Biosystems Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.

Occupancy rate 100%

Vacancy type Research staff

Job description

A Postdoctorl Felloship in Soil and Crop Monitoring

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

JOB DISCRIPTION:

A 4-year postdoctoral fellowship position is available in Precision Soil and Crop Engineering Group (Precision Scoring), within the Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering in Ghent University (UGent) in Belgium. We are looking for an enthusiastic young engineer to work on WHEATWATCHER EC funded project. The aim of the WHEATWATCHER is to develop and implement an integrated soil and crop monitoring system to assess soil nutrients status and chemical and biological stressors affecting and/or contaminating wheat grains from at-field growing stage to flour production in various regions across Europe, which will provide a management and decision tool for the farmers, mill owners and policy makers to guarantee quality and safe food production. Ghent University (UGent) is the coordination partner of the project, with Prof. Abdul Mouazen named as the project coordinator.

Your Job:

You will be responsible for managing and executing the tasks assigned to UGent. This necessitates leading the engineering research of the Precision Scoring towards the design, optimization and implementation of soil and crop sensing platforms for the collection of data on soil, crop and grain to enable precision agriculture decision making for contaminants removal and mitigation. You will also be responsible for the management and follow up of delivery of tasks and deliverables assigned to the project partners. The successful candidate will be responsible for networking, planning and running field experiments at different European countries.

Other responsibilities include supporting the Precision Scoring group in:

• Assisting PhD and MSc students for field measurement, and design and implementation of new measurement or control systems.
• Submission of high-quality publications in international scientific journals.
• Link and integrate research of different PhD students in the Group as deemed appropriate.
• Contribute to group activities as requested by your promoter that are within the remit of the role, the grant, and the associated grade. This may include:

1. Supporting the supervision of MSc and PhD students.

2. Contribute to the writing of research proposals to the EC and various national, and international funding schemes.

3. Assist in attracting new partners/members and students to the group.

4. Provide guidance to other staff and students of the Department e.g., advise students on their progress and establish new research ideas.

Job profile

The candidate should fulfil the following requirements:

• Have or will soon have a PhD degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Agriculture Engineering (not agronomy), Biosystems Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• The candidate should have demonstrable knowledge in the use of basic engineering software and modelling languages, such as, MATLAB Toolbox, LabVIEW, DaisyLab, AutoCAD, C++…..
• Advanced knowledge in sensing technologies and measurement systems.
• Advanced knowledge in machine learning, deep learning and data fusion and modelling tools.
• A proven record in managing and running research projects.
• A track record of publishing high-impact journal articles.
• Working in interdisciplinary environments, good contextual understanding of agricultural systems and the ability to work in the field is desirable.
• Possessing excellent project and time management skills to ensure that milestones and deliverables are achieved to time and to high quality.
• The candidate should have a high level of proficiency in English sufficient to communicate effectively with colleagues and write papers and reports.
• The candidate should be prepared to work in close collaboration with the supervising team as well as the PhD students working within the project, in the group or in the department.
• Good practical problem solver / Ability to find appropriate solutions to academic and technical problems.
• Ability to work as a member of a team within a dynamic research group.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full-time position as a postdoctoral fellow, with a minimum period of 12 month, which can be extended to 36 months. Further 12 months cand be extended not as a fellowship, but as a postdoctoral researcher. This makes the position available for 48 months, the duration of WHEATWATCHER project.
• In deviation the above, an EEA national, who has previously received a postdoctoral grant in the 12 months prior to an MSCA grant, can exceed the maximum term of 36 months under this MSCA grant provided that the entire term does not exceed 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 01/10/2024 at the earliest.
• The grant amount is equal to the net salary of a doctoral assistant (AAP 5) with the same level of education and seniority and based on the same family situation as the doctoral assistant. The supervisor may deviate from this and assign a higher level based on acquired experience, professional career and demonstrated competences. The grant amount will not be revised in the current year except in case of indexation. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

How to apply

Applications should be submitted to Dr. Muhammad Qaswar (e-mail: [email protected] ) and copy Prof. Abdul M. Mouazen (e-mail: [email protected] ) by 19th May 2024, enclosing the following documents:

• A cover letter outlining your academic interests, research experience and reasons for wishing to work on this project
• Detailed CV and publication record
• Two reference letters from academic workers
• Your PhD degree or an interim document if you are still finishing your PhD
• A verified transcript of your MSc and BSc degrees

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Abdul M. Mouazen ([email protected] , +32(0)9 264 6247).

We do not accept late applications.

Requirements

Research Field

Agricultural sciences

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Research Field

Engineering

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Research Field

Engineering

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Research Field

Engineering

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://academicpositions.com

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Ghent University

Country

Belgium

City

Ghent

Postal Code

9000

Street

Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 33

Where to apply

Website

https://academicpositions.com/ad/ghent-university/2024/postdoctoral-fellow-depa…

Contact

City

Ghent

Website

http://www.ugent.be/en

Postal Code

9000

STATUS: EXPIRED