Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Modelling Agricultural Systems

Organisation

Cranfield University

School/Department

School of Water, Energy and Environment

Based at

Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire

Hours of work

37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.

Contract type

Fixed term contract

Fixed Term Period

Fixed Term Contract for 20 to 22 months (dependent on pay grade), or until 3 Jan 2026 (whichever is sooner)

Salary

Research Assistant (if close to completing PhD) £34,450 per annum Research Fellow (if PhD completed) £37,337 to £39,316 per annum

We welcome applications from skilled and committed researcher to join our team working on agricultural and environmental sustainability.

About the Role

FixOurFood is a multi-disciplinary research programme, anchored at the University of York, with teams in Cranfield University, University of Leeds, University of Oxford and City University. The programme aims to transform the Yorkshire food system to one that is regenerative – benefitting both human and planetary health. This project has high levels of stakeholder engagement built-in and is already generating impact through two-way knowledge transfer with Yorkshire farmers. The results produced in this role will have potential to influence policy and on-farm decision making.

The role will involve assessing impacts from introducing regenerative practices in agricultural systems in Yorkshire and the United Kingdom. You will combine field data from the team at the University of Leeds with computer models to explore the potential benefits and trade-offs of a range of regenerative practices. These farming systems will be tested for their resilience under a changing climate. The work will be strongly analytical and will involve using a number of modelling tools (e.g. Linear Programming of Whole Farms, Life Cycle Assessment). You will work closely both with colleagues within the Environment and Agrifood Theme in Cranfield University and in the wider FixOurFood project team .

About You

You will be a self-motivated individual with an active interest in conducting research that informs the transformation of our agricultural and food system towards a net-zero future. You will have skills in mathematical modelling which will enable you to develop and apply farm-based modelling tools to explore questions related to sustainable food systems. You will be educated to doctoral level (or close to completion) in a a Science or Engineering discipline and have experience in using quantitative methods. You will be motivated to develop the research in collaboration with project partners in other universities and with stakeholders in agriculture and food supply.

About Us

You will be working in the Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Assessment Group within Cranfield Environment Centre. The consequences and implications of the substantive challenges posed by environmental change will require agile and transformative adaptation and mitigation measures. The focus of the Cranfield Environment Centre is to transform the science of environmental solutions through a systems approach, spanning sensor and measurement technology, systems modelling, environmental informatics, data and decision science. The Centre covers research on air quality and climate change, soil quality, crop growth and monitoring, natural capital, resilience, ecosystem goods and services.

The Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Assessment Group is one of five research groups within the Centre. We are a collegiate and supportive group, and collaborate with other diverse groups from agrifood to aviation. Our research focuses on topics with direct relevance to society, such as assessment of climate mitigation impacts and indoor air quality. Our expertise ranges from instrument development to field campaigns, to data analysis and computer modelling.

We offer a supportive environment for all members of staff and students. There is training and support for early career researchers, including a clear pathway for Research Fellows who can fulfil a range of specific criteria to apply for promotion to Academic Fellow.

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 committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families . Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here , including a monitoring report and information about our staff networks that champion and support different groups.

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 Dr Michelle Cain, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Data Analytics on (E): [email protected]

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: [email protected] . Please quote reference number 4699.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 4 January 2024

Interviews to be held: 22 January 2024