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Research Associate - Centre of Excellence in Food Security and Sustainability - School of Climate Change and Adaptation (Grant Funded)

Competition Number:
04E21
Position Type:
Staff Position
Closing Date:
Date of Posting:
Department:
School of Climate Change and Adaptation
Position:
Research Associate - Centre of Excellence in Food Security and Sustainability
Contract:
Full-Time Term Position (Grant Funded)
Hours of Work:
37.5 hours per week
Salary:

Commensurate with qualifications and education

Term:

As soon as possible until July 31, 2024 (Term may be reduced or extended depending on performance, available funding and departmental requirements)

The School of Climate Change and Adaptation at the University of Prince Edward Island is seeking an outstanding candidate for a term position of Research Associate for its newly established Center of Excellence in Food Security and Sustainability. This position is funded by a research project “Establishment of a research program in precision agriculture at the Centre of Excellence in Food Security and Sustainability (CEFSS)”. The goal of the CEFSS is to develop innovative and economically feasible solutions for sustainable food production that adapts to the earth’s changing climate by focusing on principles of precision agriculture (PA).

The incumbent will be reporting to Aitazaz A. Farooque, Associate Professor and Industry Research Chair - Precision Agriculture, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidates will be expected to meet project objectives including:

  • Integrate and engage the Atlantic Canadian agriculture industry to develop solutions for its problems, reducing environmental impacts while simultaneously adapting to climate change
  • Identify opportunities arising from climate change to enhance food production
  • Quantify the impacts arising from climate change on agricultural sustainability
  • Assess the potential of PA practices in comparison with traditional farming to achieve economic and environmental sustainability while ensuring food security
  • Develop new PA techniques and technologies to launch climate-smart agriculture practices
  • Aim at lowering agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sequestration
  • Train highly qualified personnel (HQP) in emerging areas of PA and circular bio-economy

QUALIFICATIONS:

The candidate must have an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Engineering. The minimum qualification is PhD in the related field with emphasis on Agriculture and Biological Sciences.

The candidate should have:

  • Demonstrated track record of scholarship and research
  • Background in computer programming and software skills, electronics and instrumentation, and agricultural machinery development
  • Outstanding hands-on skills, and high level of analytical ability
  • Extensive experience with the operation of laboratory and agricultural equipment, as well as a willingness and ability to work in the field
  • Minimum of five years of post-PhD experience gained in North America, of which two years must be of local nature, that is, of Atlantic Canada
  • Demonstrated record of working independently and in a team environment for fieldwork, data analysis using artificial intelligence, deep learning and GIS, preparing research funding proposals and scientific reports
  • Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Experience interacting with agriculture industry
  • As this position requires traveling across Canada for project activities, the candidate must have a valid Canadian driving licence

The levels of experience and skills must meet the following needs:

  • Developing practices for increasing soil carbon sequestration and reducing CO2 emissions
  • Design, develop and test variable-rate spreader technology for fertilizer application
  • Prepare and submit peer-reviewed journal articles independently
  • Evaluate and launch PA technology for targeted application of agrochemicals
  • Develop agricultural best management practices for Atlantic Canada
  • Provide profitability mapping service linked to soil health
  • Model groundwater fluctuations for its inventory and sustainable management
Application Instructions:

Please submit electronically a cover letter, quoting the competition number, a resume and reference list to be received no later than the closing date via the link posted on the UPEI Human Resources website. Applications will not be accepted via email.

If you are unable to apply online, you can drop off your resume to the Human Resources Department, Kelley Building, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI C1A 4P3, Fax Number (902) 894-2895.

In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. The University of Prince Edward Island is committed to gender equity in employment.

Only those applicants who are invited to an interview will be acknowledged.

UPEI encourages all qualified applicants to apply for job openings; however, in keeping with the terms and provisions of the university’s various employment and collective agreements, first priority will be given to internal candidates.