Post-doctor in communication science - agriculture technology

The Department of Soil & Environment is a leading center for soil science, nationally and internationally. We conduct research, environmental monitoring & assessment and higher education for sustainable soil management in agricultural, forest and urban environments. Outcomes are aligned to and contribute towards national and international strategies on food security, national environmental objectives and climate reporting as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The majority of the department’s activities are located in the Soil-Water-Environment center at the SLU Ultuna campus in Uppsala with one research group situated in Skara.

A postdoctoral position is announced as part of a larger collaborative project, The Implementation Step, which aims to increase the farmer’s use of available technology for increased sustainability in food production. In collaboration with SLU RådNu - A National Competence Centre for Advisory Services - at the Department of People and Society, the research group for Precision Agriculture at the Department of Soil and Environment announces a postdoctoral position on implementation strategies and advisory services.

About the position:
We are looking for you who have a social or natural science background and want to work with extension and knowledge exchange in food production and be part of shaping a modern and sustainable agriculture. Your duties will consist of conducting your own research in the borderland between social and natural sciences with focus on factors that motivate and counteract the application of available decision support in precision agriculture. The purpose is to identify bottlenecks for implementation in practical agriculture, and propose remedies. You will be responsible for planning and designing the details of the study together with other researchers in the project, as well as being responsible for carrying out the work and leading the compilation of results, publication and dissemination.

Precision agriculture is defined as a strategy that adapts cultivation measures to temporal and spatial variation to improve the sustainability of agricultural production. To implement this, technological tools and decision support systems are available for farmers, but these aids are adopted to a varying degree. Extension science is a field of research that aims to understand communication, learning and change within issues related to sustainable natural resource management, the introduction of new technologies and management.

The overall project, The implementation step, aims to make decision support and technology for increased precision in agriculture more attractive to farmers by means of research and method development. The goal is improved resource use efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Qualifications:
The applicant must have a doctorate degree within a relevant field (not older than three years is an advantage). It could be either in social or natural sciences. Experience of interdisciplinary research in the borderland between social sciences and natural sciences and experience from social science methodology is qualifying. Experience of the agricultural sector and field studies relevant to the project are also meritorious. In the assessment, emphasis will be placed on scientific productivity and the ability to operate in different environments. In addition, a driver's license is required. The ability to communicate in a Scandinavian language is a great advantage, but not necessary. We will also favour personal qualities such as collaborative skills, independence and the ability to take initiative and to organize.

Place of work:
Skara

Form of employment:
Temporary employment, 24 months, with possible extension.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
As soon as possible or according to agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2022-04-08, use the button below.

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses.

www.slu.se