A 4-year postdoctoral fellowship position is available in Precision Soil and Crop Engineering Group (Precision Scoring), within the Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering at Ghent University (UGent) in Belgium. We are looking for an enthusiastic young engineer to work on a WHEAT WATCHER EC-funded project. The WHEAT WATCHER aims to develop and implement an integrated soil and crop monitoring system to assess soil nutrients status and chemical and biological stressors affecting, and contaminating wheat grains from the at-field growing stage to flour production in various regions across Europe, which will provide a management and decision tool for the farmers, mill owners, and policymakers to guarantee quality and safe food production.
Summary
| Position | A Postdoctoral Fellowship in Soil and Crop Monitoring |
|---|---|
| Duration | 12 months, which can be extended to 36 months |
| Department | LA20 – Department of Environment |
| Required Degree | PhD in Mechatronics Engineering, Agriculture Engineering (not agronomy), Biosystems Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering. |
| Funding | Provided by FNRS (National Science Fund of Belgium) |
| Last Date | May 19, 2024 00:00 |
| Location | Ghent University, Belgium |
| Starting Date | 01/10/2024 at the earliest. |
| Vacancy type | Research staff |
| Contact | Prof. Abdul M. Mouazen and Dr. Muhammad Qaswar |
Your Job
The successful candidate will manage and execute tasks assigned to UGent, leading engineering research on Precision Scoring, designing and implementing soil and crop sensing platforms, managing project partners, and conducting networking, planning, and field experiments in European countries.
Other responsibilities
- Assisting PhD and MSc students with field measurement and design and implementation of new measurement or control systems.
- Submission of high-quality publications in international scientific journals.
- Link and integrate the research of different PhD students in the Group as deemed appropriate.
- Contribute to group activities as requested by your promoter that are within the remit of the role, the grant, and the associated grade. This may include:
- Contribute to writing research proposals to the EC and various national, and international funding schemes.
- Assist in attracting new members and students to the group.
- Provide guidance to other staff and students of the Department e.g., advise students on their progress and establish new research ideas.
Your Profile
The candidate should fulfill the following requirements:
- Have or will soon have a PhD degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Agriculture Engineering (not agronomy), Biosystems Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.
- The candidate should have demonstrable knowledge of basic engineering software and modeling languages, such as MATLAB Toolbox, LabVIEW, DaisyLab, AutoCAD, C++…..
- Advanced knowledge in sensing technologies and measurement systems.
- Advanced knowledge in machine learning, deep learning, and data fusion and modeling tools.
- A proven record in managing and running research projects.
- A track record of publishing high-impact journal articles.
- High level of proficiency in English.
Project Offer
- The WHEATWATCHER project offers a full-time postdoctoral fellow position with a minimum duration of 12 months, which can be extended to 36 months. An EEA national with a previous postdoctoral grant can extend the term up to 48 months.
- Your contract will start on 01/10/2024 at the earliest.
- The grant amount is equivalent to a doctoral assistant’s net salary, with supervisors deciding on higher levels based on experience and professional career. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
- Ghent University staff members enjoy various benefits including training opportunities, annual holiday leave (36 days), fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff.
How to apply
Applications should be submitted to Dr. Muhammad Qaswar (e-mail: muhammad.qaswar@ugent.be) and copy Prof. Abdul M. Mouazen (e-mail: abdul.mouazen@ugent.be) by 19th May 2024, enclosing the following documents:
- A cover letter
- Detailed CV with publication record
- Two reference letters from academic workers
- Your PhD degree or an interim document if you are still finishing your PhD
- A verified transcript of your MSc and BSc degrees.
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Abdul M. Mouazen (abdul.mouazen@UGent.be, +32(0)9 264 6247).
We do not accept late applications.
