Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Digital Agriculture

Fixed Term Contract for 40 months

Full time salary of £30,600 per annum, pro rata. (Research Assitant)

Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £35,559 per annum, pro rata. (Research Fellow)

We are seeking an enthusiastic, conscientious, and numerate researcher who can support the implementation of agroforestry (integration of trees with farming) by developing and using digital tools that can predict the effect of agroforestry on agricultural production, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, and soil health.

About the Role

This exciting and impactful research position at Cranfield University provides the opportunity to work with experienced researchers and practitioners from across Europe. The role is enabled through a new 4-year EU Horizon Europe project, called DIGITAF, which is developing digital tools to help farmers, policy makers, and actors in food value chains to account for and capitalise on the climate, biodiversity and sustainability benefits of agroforestry.

About You

You have a PhD, or have recently submitted your PhD, focused on agricultural systems, agricultural economics, life cycle assessment, or systems modelling, as well as a peer-reviewed journal publication record.  You will have experience of working with farmers and others within the food system, of developing and using models to allow farm-level assessments of biodiversity, soil health, and/or net greenhouse gas emissions, and a demonstrated ability to produce high quality reports and/or papers.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here .

The School of Water, Energy, and Environment is nationally and internationally recognised for enhancing land management and enabling new ways to address the challenges of food security, climate change, and biodiversity loss.  The use of digital tools such as models and sensors is an active area of research.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here .

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme.We are also committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role.  Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here .

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                    

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Paul Burgess, Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Agroforestry (E): [email protected]

Apply online now . Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: [email protected] . Please quote reference number 4254.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 02 November 2022