Postdoctoral position in Food Systems Science - FoSSNet

29 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Universitat de Barcelona

Department

OPIR- International Research Projects office

Research Field

Agricultural sciences
Anthropology
Economics
Environmental science
Geography
Sociology
Political sciences
Other

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Spain

Application Deadline

14 Mar 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Part-time

Hours Per Week

30

Offer Starting Date

8 Apr 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE

Reference Number

Nº GA 101134861

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

No

Offer Description

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to support the Principal Investigator in UB of the Horizon Europe project FoSSNet European Food Systems Science Network, conducting scientific, social innovation and management activities associated to this project throughout 4 years.

FOSSNET’s vision is a strengthened and deepened academic network to support a new Knowledge and Innovation governance structure to adress food Systems challenges and develop effective solutions in Europe. The aim of FoSSNet is twofold, on one hand to establish a permanent panEuropean network for Food System Science and on the other hand to advance inter- and transdisciplinary Food System Science and education. This will contribute directly to the farm to fork objectives and FOOD2030 priorities. Developing the network and advancing Food Systems Science and education will be underpinned by an inclusive approach to ensure engagement of all relevant disciplines, researchers and non-academic actors in advancing Food System Science. In order to reach the vision and aim, FoSSNet will 1) develop a conceptual framework and a process for developing food system transformation pathways to create a common language and understanding among food system thinkers, 2) establish, mobilise and consolidate an inclusive inter- and transdisciplinary pan-European academic network for food systems science to bring European food systems scientists and the science institutions together, 3) enhance inclusivity of the Knowledge and Innovation system for a sustainability transformation of EU food systems by addressing sensitivities to power relations and inequities that pervade food systems and contested transformation processes, 4) co-produce research for sustainable food system transformation to remove existing barriers to interdisciplinarity in food system science, 5) build food systems capability through an academy and curricula to ensure the impact of future food system thinkers and 6) create scientific, economic and societal impact by ensuring sustainability of the network.

Job description: The postdoctoral researcher will be participating and co-leading management, innovation, communication and research activities within the FOSSNET consortium. The researcher will contribute mainly to the work package on Co-producing research for sustainable food system transformation which aims to i) identify knowledge gaps, priority research needs, and collaborative responses to them; ii)  foster debate, co-produce knowledge, and improve data and knowledge sharing; iii) develop and apply new methods, models and tools to assess and manage food systems to maximise positive outcomes; iv) provide advice on how food systems science can inform policymaking for sustainable food system transformation.

Generally, the researcher will support the PI and the rest of the team to achieve the scientific objectives of the project, develop effective task management and collaboratively work, publish and disseminate project findings. We seek highly motivated candidates to:

• work in an international, innovative and multistakeholder project,
• develop transdisciplinary work, co-producing solutions with different types of stakeholders and implementing changes on the ground,
• develop state of art research and innovation processes to create more just and sustainable cities through food sharing activities, and
• communicate and amplify scientific, policy and innovation knowledge generated to deliver change locally and internationally.

Key responsibilities:

• Support PI in leading the Work Package on Co-producing research for sustainable food system transformation.
• Carry out any administrative work associated with this programme of research and assist with wider FOSSNET project administration and research group activities when required.
• Contribute to a pan-European mapping of research needs and knowledge gaps in food systems science to develop an agenda and roadmap for food systems science.
• Support the creation of three transdisciplinary territorial labs for food systems science across Europe, which include identification of key challenges, research needs and gaps and elaboration of food system transition pathways. Develop a participatory research methodology for these labs.
• Lead and create a transdisciplinary territorial lab for food system science in Barcelona-Catalonia, linked to the work of the Food Action and Research Observatory (FARO) in the university of Barcelona.
• Participate in the systems-oriented lab which will address from an interdisciplinary perspective challenges on true cost of food.
• Synthetize knowledge generated across the project to inform how science can support effective policy and decision making for sustainable food system transformation through policy briefs.
• Integrate learnings and findings across the project to develop publications, guidebooks, and a decision support tools for furthering food systems science and its impact on policy making.
• Travel to and participate in meetings and project activities as required.
• Support the organisation of project meetings and conferences across the project.
• Help train and mentor other team members.
• Engage in the dissemination of the results from research to stakeholders in the appropriate form (e.g. presentations, publications, blogs, newspaper articles etc.).
• Participate actively in the activities of the UB research group and the Food Action and Research Observatory FARO.

Gross salary per year: 38.400 €

Requirements

Research Field

Agricultural sciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Anthropology

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Economics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Environmental science

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Geography

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Sociology

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Political sciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Other

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Expertise/Competence/Skills

1. Expertise in food systems, sustainability, knowledge-policy interfaces, critical food studies and/or policy/governance.

2. Proven ability to organise and facilitate multistakeholder activities and develop impactful research and innovation processes.

3. Evidence of ability to produce high quality publications.

4. Evidence of ability to manage international transdisciplinary projects and/or research activities or policy processes.

5. Proven effective interpersonal and communication skills including written and oral presentation skills.

6. Excellent written and oral command of English and Spanish is required, as well as capacity to understand oral and written communications in Catalan.

Knowledge

7. Knowledge of theoretical, policy and methodological literatures relevant to food systems science, food studies, knowledge-policy interfaces, sustainability and/or governance.

8. Knowledge of participatory research, social innovation and/or co-production methodologies and techniques.

Qualifications (IT/Academic/Vocational)

9. A degree in social sciences, environmental sciences or related subject.

10. A PhD in in social sciences, environmental sciences or related subject.

Experience

11. A minimum of one published or accepted article in a high impact journal.

12. Experience in working in interdisciplinary contexts and with different types of stakeholders.

Specific Qualities (e.g. attitudes)

13. Willingness to play an active part in the research group of the University of Barcelona.

14. Willingness/Availability to travel for project meeting across Europe and other project related activities.

15. Ability to contribute to the dissemination of findings and conducing impact activities related to the project.

Desirable Criteria

16. Knowledge on knowledge-policy interfaces and food systems science.

17. Knowledge and experience of developing and applying innovative participatory methodologies with diverse stakeholders. 

18. Evidence of ability to produce high quality research applications.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Languages

SPANISH

Level

Excellent

Languages

CATALAN

Level

Basic

Research Field

Agricultural sciencesAnthropologyEconomicsEnvironmental scienceGeographySociologyPolitical sciences

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

• CV (maximum 50)
• Cover letter (maximum 35)
• Referees (maximum 15)

Minimum score to pass the selection process: 75/100 points.

Additional comments

Duration of the contract of employment: 12 months, renewable up to 31/01/2028.

The candidate proposed for hiring must accept the job offer within 5 working days from the date of notification of the selection.

Priority will be given to people with disabilities (Law 89/2015 of June 2, reserve of quota 2% in favour of people with disabilities in companies of 50 or more people).

Be aware that the starting date sets in this offer is an estimate date. The official starting date will depend on the bureaucratic time that will take the preparation of the labour contract and presentation of the necessary documents to be hired by the selected candidate.

For additional information regards this offer, please, contact Dr. Ana Moragues: [email protected]

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universitat de Barcelona

Country

Spain

State/Province

Barcelona

City

Barcelona

Postal Code

08034

Street

Avinguda Diagonal, 694

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://t.ly/WODvn

Contact

State/Province

Barcelona

City

Barcelona

Website

http://www.ub.edu/opir

Street

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585.

Postal Code

08007

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED