Postdoctoral Scholar in Inclusive Innovation for Climate Smart Food Systems

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated candidate for a two-year postdoctoral position to lead VISTA F3 research in Inclusive Innovation for Climate Smart Food Systems. VISTA F3, an emerging research center at UC Merced, is advancing the Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge for the San Joaquin Valley under F3 – Farms Food Future – initiative to advance inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship in university-led research and development in climate smart food systems. We believe that inclusive innovation emphasizes engaging diverse stakeholders in translational research and development, fostering more effective, equitable, and sustainable solutions to societal and environmental challenges. By addressing the needs of marginalized or underrepresented groups, we feel that this approach to innovation ensures broader benefit distribution and leaves no one behind. Inclusive innovation leads to adaptable, user-friendly technologies, products, and services, contributing to social equity, environmental sustainability, and overall well-being.

As such we seek a candidate that will have a strong background in innovation, management, economic and community development. Educational training in any allied field, such as economics, geography, management, political science, sociology, or systems engineering is desired, as is an understanding of agriculture, climate, environment, technology and their nexus with food systems broadly. A key research and development activity will be the advancement of transdisciplinary research that works with community advisors and industry partners in use-inspired research and economic and community development with a specific focus on inclusive innovation in the emerging agrifood technology and engineering sector.

The scholar will play a crucial role in the development of a strategic vision in advancing inclusive innovation, workforce development, access to technology and climate resilience to benefit a diverse ecosystem of food producers, processors, and related communities of the San Joaquin Valley region. As such, the scholar will come with experience and interest in economic and community development, climate smart agriculture, climate action, access and availability to technology, inclusive adoption of technologies, co-production of knowledge, social entrepreneurship, and/or related subdisciplines. This is a unique post-doctoral opportunity at the intersection of productive research and economic and community development actions while working with a vast network of partners.

Responsibilities of the position will include conducting original research that integrates social, economic, technical, and environmental aspects of inclusive innovation in climate smart food systems. This will require the ability to survey human subjects with confidentiality, use data analysis software collaboratively, and publish findings in high-quality journals and outreach publications. The successful candidate will be expected to work closely with community advisors from various backgrounds, including community leaders, policymakers, and technical experts.

Additional responsibilities include:
• Develop a strategic vision for pathways to prosperity and work with local community advisors to implement this vision;
• Conduct cutting-edge research and develop programs to promote inclusive innovation and workforce development in agrifood technology;
• Utilize quantitative and qualitative methods and skills, combined with expertise in climate resilience and agriculture, to analyze data and develop strategies to support the commercialization of innovative agrifood technologies;
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of researchers, industry partners, and community organizations to promote sustainable economic growth and climate resilience in underserved communities;
• Apply human subjects research and social science techniques to understand the needs and perspectives of underserved communities, and use applied statistics to analyze data and inform decision-making;
• Participate in the training and development of the next generation of agrifood technology leaders;
• Collaborate with regional industrial cluster alliance to support the commercialization of innovative agrifood technologies; and
• Contribute to the field by publishing high-quality research in top-tier academic journals.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/SARS-CoV-2_Covid-19 . All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Appendix F, Section II.C. of the policy for applicable deadlines. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.