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Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
The School of Science and the Environment is seeking a motivated and talented PhD student to join a research project focused on addressing the unique challenges of potato cultivation in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). This position will focus specifically on precision irrigation management using advanced geophysical techniques and machine learning approaches to improve water use efficiency and optimize potato yield and quality.
Expected Starting Date:
Preferably in Summer, 2025 or Fall, 2025
Further Information:
Contact: Dr. Lakshman Galagedara [This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.]
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Dr. Oon-Doo Baik and his collaborators are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join an innovative research project. The project focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) technology for pathogen decontamination and enhancing seed germination in crops. Key objectives include the design and fabrication of ACP equipment, pathogen eradication, germination improvement, bioinoculant application, and the development of protocols for large-scale application.
This 3-year position, funded by the ADF Program (2025–2028), is contingent on satisfactory performance during the probation period.
Nature of Work:
The Postdoctoral Fellow will primarily be responsible for conducting research under the ADF program, focusing on evaluating the efficacy of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) technology for pathogen decontamination and enhancing seed germination in crops. Additional responsibilities include presenting research findings, preparing scientific manuscripts, collaborating with colleagues, maintaining clean and organized laboratory spaces, assisting with laboratory procedures and data analysis, and contributing to the organization of meetings and presentations for research project discussions.
Typical Duties or Accountabilities:
- Design and build up a small-scale atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) unit for treating crop seeds.
- Determine the optimum conditions for the application of ACP technology for germination improvement in crop seeds.
- Investigate the effectiveness of ACP technology in the elimination of pathogens in crop seeds.
- Determine the efficacy of ACP decontamination on bioinoculant-treated seed germination and plant growth.
- Conduct an economic analysis for the application of ACP technology in large-scale seed processing.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education:
A PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Microbiology, Plant Science, or a related discipline is required, preferably with experience in cold plasma technology, seed germination, and microbial analysis. Candidates nearing completion of their PhD will also be considered, provided they can demonstrate a clear timeline for finishing their degree.
Experience:
The successful candidate has experience in:
- Demonstrated experience in conducting cold plasma experiments, microbial inoculation and analysis, bioinoculant application, chemical and instrumental analysis, and germination testing.
- Performing appropriate statistical analyses on experimental data.
- Publishing research results in reputable peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Safe laboratory procedures.
Skills:
- Demonstrated ability to use statistical software and the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.).
- Demonstrated ability to create and foster relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and education levels.
- Demonstrated ability to present research results to farmer and/or industry audiences.
To Apply: Applications will be accepted online only at careers.usask.ca and must include a cover letter, a statement addressing qualifications, and a resume, all submitted as a single PDF document. The statement must specifically address the qualifications outlined in the sections above on education, experience, and skills.
Review of applications will start on February 1, 2025, and continue until a suitable candidate is found.
Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Dr. Oon-Doo Baik (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
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Faculty Position Available: Assistant Professor
Cohort Hire: Revolutionizing Controlled Environment Agriculture
Focus: Controlled Environment Agriculture Engineering Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University
Position: Assistant Professor, Tenure-track.
Location: Ithaca, NY. The academic home for this position is the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, housed on the Ithaca campus of Cornell University.
The Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University is seeking a highly collaborative scholar to contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems. Our new colleague will join a Cohort Faculty Hire in Revolutionizing Controlled Environment Agriculture.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Roadmap to 2050 is centering environmental justice to achieve climate and sustainability goals via a cohort of hires within our Transdisciplinary Moonshots – opportunities for the College to collaborate on future-focused, cross-disciplinary scientific breakthroughs and to align research, education, and extension programs for greater impact and stronger connectivity. The Moonshot areas build upon core strengths in CALS, spanning the agricultural, environmental, life, and social sciences, with the goal of recruiting 27 faculty into the College over the next three years.
This cohort will advance the CALS Transdisciplinary Moonshot in Revolutionizing Controlled Environment Agriculture. This cohort includes recent or concurrent hires in plant pathology, insect ecology, food systems economist, and a specialty crop physiologist within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. These new faculty hires will play an integral role in the design of a planned CALS investment in new CEA facilities.
Applications and Starting Date: The anticipated starting date is July 2025 or as negotiated. Qualified applicants should submit 1) a cover letter briefly summarizing background, qualifications, and interest in the position; 2) a Curriculum Vitae; 3) a research statement outlining experience, interests, and goals; 4) a teaching statement outlining experience, interests, and goals; 5) a statement supporting diverse communities (this can be a stand-alone document (preferred) or the information can be embedded in other parts of the application materials) outlining how, through research, teaching, service, mentoring, extension, and/or outreach, the candidate has and will contribute to support Cornell’s historical mission of “any person … any study”; 6) copies of four relevant publications; and 7) names and contact information for four references. Materials should be submitted online to: https://academic jobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/29031 .
Applications received by December 31, 2024 will be given full consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please forward questions to the search chair (Professor Beth Ahner, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or the search administrator (Nicole Albright, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
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Location: Boreal Ecosystems Research Facility/Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, NL, Canada
Category: Research
Group: Postdoctoral Research
Department: School of Science and the Environment
Duration: 1-year, possible extension for the 2nd year and beyond based on performance
Tenure: Full-time; Grant funded
Salary: $60,000/annum + plus benefits
Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled
Anticipated Start: January 1, 2025
Position Summary
Modeling N2O Emissions under Variable N-Application and Sustainable Nitrogen Management in Precision Agriculture
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher to join our interdisciplinary team focused on advancing sustainable nitrogen (N) management in agriculture. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research on the predicted relationship between two functions: 1) Yield as function of N fertilizer applied, 2) Cumulative nitrous oxide emission as a function of N fertilizer application. Modeling N2O emissions under variable N fertilizer application rates, and the role of N management in yield variability and stability, all within the context of precision agriculture.
We are seeking a PDF with expertise and research interests in the following:
• N2O Emissions Research: Investigate the impact of different N fertilizer application strategies, including variable rates and recommended practices, on N2O emissions. Your work will contribute to understanding how N management can be optimized to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through modeling.
• N2O Modeling: Contribute to the development and improvement of N2O emission models, with a focus on integrating these models into sustainable N management practices. Your work will help bridge the gap between modeling and field applications, supporting more accurate predictions of N2O emissions.
• Yield Variability and Stability: Analyze the relationship between N fertilizer application strategies and crop yield variability/stability. Your research will focus on how variable rates of N can enhance yield consistency across different environmental conditions.
• Precision Agriculture: Develop and refine variable rate N application strategies to support the implementation of precision agriculture. You will work closely with agronomists, soil scientists, crop modelers and data analysts to ensure that N management practices are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
• Sustainable Nitrogen Management: Collaborate on projects aimed at promoting sustainable N management practices that balance productivity and environmental stewardship. Your research will play a crucial role in shaping future N management strategies, guidelines and policies.
Download the full description with application information
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Dr. Oon-Doo Baik and collaborators are currently seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join an exciting research project. The focus of this project is to assess the influence of RF heating on the reduction of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) and the enhancement of functional properties in faba bean powders. Additionally, the project aims to elucidate the kinetics of thermal degradation under RF conditions.
The project is funded through the 2024-2027 from NSERC Alliance-Mitacs Accelerate Program. This is therefore a 3-year position, provided satisfactory performance during the probation period.
Nature of Work:
The primary responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Fellow will be to conduct research associated with the NSERC-Mitacs program. It includes conducting in-depth investigations into the impact of radiofrequency (RF) heating conditions on the reduction of antinutritional factors (ANFs: vicine, convicine, lipoxygenase) in faba bean powder. The primary focus will be on assessing the thermal degradation kinetics of ANFs and functional properties under various RF heating conditions. Other duties include, but are not limited to, and presenting data, and writing scientific manuscripts. Collaboration with colleagues, keeping laboratory spaces clean and organized, assistance with laboratory procedures, data analysis, assistance with meeting organization and presentations to research project meetings.
Typical Duties or Accountabilities:
- Evaluate RF Heating Conditions: Investigate and analyze the effect of different RF heating conditions on the reduction of ANFs in faba bean powder.
- Kinetics and Mathematical Modeling: Determine the kinetics of thermal degradation of ANFs and functional properties under various RF heating conditions. Develop mathematical models to effectively describe the observed changes.
- Long-Term Stability Assessment: Assess the long-term stability of RF-treated faba bean powder, specifically focusing on monitoring ANF content during storage periods.
- Pre-treatment Method Evaluation: Evaluate the effectiveness of a pre-treatment method, specifically soaking, to enhance the RF heating effect on the reduction of ANFs in faba bean powder.
- Collaboration and Support: Collaborate with other team members, which involves assessing ANFs following conventional heating treatments.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education:
A PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Food Science, Chemistry, or related discipline, preferably with experience in RF heating, instrumentational analysis, kinetics modeling, dielectric properties measurement. Candidates who are in the last stages of their PhD studies will also be considered provided there is a clear timeline to completion.
Experience:
The successful candidate has experience in:
- Demonstrated experience conducting radio frequency heating experiment (with thermal vision camera, optic-fibre temperature sensors), instrumentational analysis (HPLC, spectrometry), dielectric loss factor measurement (LCR meter).
- Performing appropriate statistical analyses on experimental data and Matlab coding for kinetics modeling
- Publishing research results in reputable peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Safe laboratory procedures.
- Supervisory experience would be considered an asset.
Skills:
- Demonstrated ability to use Matlab and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Teams, etc).
- Demonstrated ability to use HPLC and spectrometry
- Demonstrated ability to create and foster relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and education levels.
- Demonstrated ability to present research results to farmer and/or industry audiences.
To Apply: Applications will be accepted online only at careers.usask.ca and must include a cover letter, a statement addressing qualifications, and resume, and be submitted as a single PDF document. The statement addressing qualifications must address each and every one of the qualifications listed in the above sections on education, experience, and skills. The use of subtitles is strongly recommended. We also strongly encourage providing specific examples of actions or behaviors to demonstrate experience or skill. Applications that fail to provide all of the information required will be considered incomplete and will not be assessed.
Review of applications will start from April 15, 2024, and continue until a suitable candidate is found.
Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Dr. Oon-Doo Baik (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
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Dalhousie’s Faculties of Agriculture and Computer Science are seeking potential CRC Tier 2 nominees in Digital and Precision Agriculture.
Tier 2 Chairs are intended for exceptional emerging scholars (i.e., candidates must have been an active researcher in their field for fewer than 10 years at the time of nomination).
The ad is here.
Note the EDI restrictions for this position are such that the position is designated to candidates who self-identify in one or more of the following groups: women, gender minorities, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous persons.
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Position(s): PhD (3 positions available)
Location(s): University of Guelph; McGill University; Dalhousie University
Start: January 2024 or until all positions are filled
Stipend: Graduate stipends are provided
Awards: Merit based and institution specific
Granting Agency: NSERC
Position 1: Sustainability Evaluation of Controlled Environment Agriculture (greenhouse & vertical farms/plant factories) – Advisor: Dr. Thomas Graham, University of Guelph
Position 2: Evaluation of Institutional, Commercial, and Industrial (IC&I) food waste and associated GHG potential - Advisor: Dr. Gordon Price, Dalhousie University
Position 3: Evaluation of IC&I Food Loss Patterns within the Montreal & Southwestern Quebec catchment area - Advisor: Dr. Grant Clark, McGill University
Read the project summary, description of positions and how to apply.
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Organization:
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Job Term:
3 Permanent
The Innovation Engineering and Program Delivery (IEPD) unit serve as the Ministry's core technical competence on environmental issues, safety standards, sector innovation and technical expertise for the agri-food community.
The IEPD unit is hiring for three (3) engineering positions: Water Management Engineer, Automation & Technology Engineer, and Horticultural & Greenhouse Cropping Engineer.
Water Management Engineering Specialist:
Develop engineering solutions focused on optimizing water management at the farm level. This includes water efficiency measures, drainage solutions and water treatment technologies.
Automation & Technology Engineering Specialist:
Assess and explore opportunities for technical advancement across supply chains to improve the overall sustainability of the agricultural and food processing sector.
Horticultural & Greenhouse Cropping Engineering Specialist:
Develop engineering solutions to optimize crop production and processing by exploring efficiencies across the supply chain for all horticultural cropping (e.g. field & greenhouse) systems in Ontario.
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Do you want to be part of the solution?
Humanity’s growing demand for food, fibre and fuel within the earth’s capacity for sustainable production is often viewed as a “wicked challenge” – a challenge that requires an understanding of both technology and biological systems. The discipline of Biosystems Engineering is founded on the application of engineering principles applied to problems involving biological systems. For Canada to contribute to a sustainable future for our planet, there is an increasing need for engineers educated in the fundamentals of the Biosystems Engineering discipline.
Download the Master Eng. Brochure from the University of Manitoba for more details.
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The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas invite applications for a 12-month, tenure-track position (80% Research; 20% Teaching) in the area of Rice/Grain Processing Technology at Assistant Professor level in the Food Science Department.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The successful candidate will be expected to: 1) use a multi-disciplinary systems approach to develop a nationally recognized research program focusing on developing novel value-added rice products or ingredients with improved functionality, quality (flavor) and value-addition of rice byproducts in developing biodegradable packaging for food products; 2) complement and collaborate with existing/current expertise in rice drying, milling, storage, carbohydrate chemistry, sensory analysis, big-data, advanced manufacturing and bioavailability to transform the rice/grain industry from a commodity industry to a high-value food and/or food-ingredient industry that supports an integrated bioeconomy system; 3) secure extramural funding from a variety of sources including federal, state, industry and private sources; 4) recruit and advise graduate and undergraduate students; 5) develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses based on the interests and needs of the Department of Food Science; 6) serve the Department, Division and College committees as assigned, and as opportunity and expertise permits.
We are open to candidates with expertise in processing, chemistry, and/or packaging, who can support the rice/grain industry in the State of Arkansas and across the nation. This position will complement faculty in the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and in the College of Engineering on novel rice-based food and food-ingredient development for human nutrition and health needs. The candidate is expected to actively participate in the Rice Processing Program (uarpp.uada.edu).
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: An earned doctorate in Food Science, Food Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Biological Engineering, or closely related discipline. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Relevant post-doctoral studies or industry experience. Demonstrated potential to excel in conducting and publishing high-impact research, developing an independent research program, collaborating within interdisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists and successful grant writing. Motivation and skills to effectively educate students through academic programs in Food Science.
SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is a full-time, twelve-month, tenure-track position with a very competitive benefits package including nationally-competitive, salary matching retirement program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin January 12, 2022 and continue until a qualified candidate is identified.
APPLICATION: Applicants should submit: 1) a letter of application, 2) a curriculum vitae detailing education background, employment experience, and publications, 3) a one-page statement of research plans and goals, 4) a one- page statement of teaching philosophy, 4) a one-page statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and 5) names and contact information (including e-mail addresses) of three individuals who will serve as references. You can submit your application at https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS/job/Fayetteville/Assistant-Professor-in-Rice-Grain- Processing-Technology_R0007804.
Contact: Inquiries should be addressed to Dr. Griffiths G. Atungulu, Search Committee Chair at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Department Head of Food Science, Dr. Jeyam Subbiah at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
