Job advertisement – Reference InnovPP035/2022
Master Researcher for the Department – 4. Collaborative Methods in Monitoring and Diagnosis of Pests and Diseases in Collaborative Lab “InnovPlantProtect – Associação”
Weeds and pests are two major threats to agriculture. Conventional methods (pesticides, herbicides) harm the environment and are viewed critically by consumers. Better innovative methods of handling these threats are required.
We are looking for enthusiastic people who liaise with farmers and want to develop and experiment techniques and methods based on AI to detect, control and monitor pests and diseases on farms.
The work will be done in collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams of biologists, geospatial analysts, computer and data scientists and data manager/GIS specialist using the latest technologies and techniques.
Main responsibilities
This researcher reports directly to the Director of Department 4 of InnovPlantProtect and has the following responsibilities:
- Participate to fieldwork activities using digital devices to collect data on pests/diseases and those environmental variables that are related to them. Identify best field sampling techniques and sampling sites using geospatial technology,
- Manipulate the data gathered in the field to make them ready for subsequent geospatial analysis;
- Apply knowledge on field attributes data (plants, soil and terrain characteristics, drainage patterns, field management history) to implement decision support tools for the monitoring and diagnostics of pests/diseases and their integration to field management strategies;
- Interact with farmers and producers associations to identify problems and possible innovative solutions;
- Support the department with few administrative tasks such as preparation of purchase orders and organisation of fieldwork logistics;
- Prepare reports and presentations.
Specific requirements
- Master qualification in Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Phythology, Plant Biology, Geography, Environmental Sciences;
- Proven experience in carrying out fieldwork in agricultural and forestry environments as well as understanding of the rural context above all in the interior of Portugal;
- Proven experience with pests/diseases identification, field sampling methods, data collection, data manipulation and visualization (GIS);
- Knowledge of relationships between plants, soil quality, terrain, field productivity and weather conditions and how changes in the environment favour the outbreaks of pests/diseases;
- Good communication skills and ability to interact with farmers and associations
- Good level of Portuguese and English.
Main Essential Skills
- Capable to sustain fieldwork in harsh and remote environment (like the interior of Portugal);
- Proactive in interacting with farmers and in proposing practical approaches to detect/monitor pests/diseases in the field;
- Ability to work with GIS and digital devices for data collection/manipulation/visualisation;
- Organised and focussed;
- Passionate to work in agricultural and forestry environment;
- Ability to communicate effectively to a non-technical audience;
- Self-learner, self-motivated, curious and team worker.
- Knowledge of R or python for data manipulation, as well as experience with drone/satellite image analysis are desirable skills.
InnovPlantProtect is a private non-profit association
InnovPlantProtect aims to create innovation for the protection of crops, seeds and post-harvest products, in particular through:
- Development of new technologies and knowledge, as well as the improvement of previously developed technologies, to protect crops, seeds and post-harvest products, as well as their intellectual protection and availability;
- Development of applied scientific research to introduce the developed technologies in the market, and to develop processes and products;
- Provide technical support to companies and entities, public or private, assisting them in the introduction of biotechnological strategies, methods and processes, and in the orientation and implementation of industrial research and development, directed towards the protection of crops, seeds and post-harvest products;
- Collaboration with public or private institutions, national or foreign in their areas of activity.
Workplace
The place of work will be the headquarters of InnovPlantProtect, at the INIAV Elvas pole, in the former National Plant Breeding Station (Elvas, Portugal).
Salary and contract
A full-time contract will be offered, starting August 8t h , 2022. The contract will last until December, 31, 2022, being renewed annually, and with a trial period of 30 days. The contract will be renewed past 2022 depending on further financial support. All the activities to be developed will be subject to confidentiality clauses.
The gross value of the remuneration will be €1.544 (14 months – 21.616€/year) and 4,77 for lunch subsidy.
Financial Support
This contract is co-financed by the European Social Fund and Alentejo 2020, under the Operation: Highly qualified employment in companies - Hiring Highly Qualified Human Resources (PME or CoLAB). Project reference: ALT20-59-2018-49.
To apply for this position
the following documents are requested in a single PDF document:
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter
- Statement of honor on how the data declared in the CV are true.
(If the diploma has not been obtained in a Portuguese Higher Education Institution, the accreditation by the Portuguese state will have to be delivered after the contract is signed)
Where to send the application
To the care of the Chief Executive Officer of InnovPlantProtect Collaborative Lab, Professor Pedro Fevereiro ([email protected] ).
Deadlines
This call is open from June 30 to July 22, with a decision expected on August 5 th , 2022. Starting date 8th August 2022.
General rules of data protection (GDPR)
With the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 April 2016, commonly known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and in order to ensure a fair and transparent treatment of the holder of the data, InnovPlantProtect informs that by applying for this position you are authorizing InnovPlantProtect to (1) collect and process your personal data deemed necessary and relevant to this recruitment process, (2) to disclose the results of the evaluation in accordance with the legislation in force.
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