Postdoc design and integration in the research program Synergia
Wageningen University Research
State University, Browse similar opportunities
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State University, Browse similar opportunities
Are you an enthusiastic post-doc researcher who wants to be part of the multidisciplinary Synergia team of 18 PhD candidates, 2 postdocs and 6 PdEng from 5 Dutch universities working towards the next-generation agricultural production systems that are sustainable, circular and regenerative? The aim of this postdoc position is to explore and design future visions for the agricultural production systems in the three use-cases of the program.
The Synergia research program
The Synergia program is a crossover program funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). Synergia contributes to the UN Sustainability Development Goals for the environment (depletion of scarce resources, global warming, acidification, eutrophication, nutrient losses, and biodiversity loss), labour (availability of skilled workers), and society (consumer/societal acceptance of novel technology and production methods). Synergia goes beyond current precision agriculture (PA) and precision livestock farming (PLF) and is developing the new concept of 'Technology-4-Ecology-based farming' (T4E). Starting point in T4E is that biological/ecological principles in farming lead the development of new farming systems, and the required technological knowledge, principles and tools. Our multi-disciplinary team includes biology, ecology, agronomy, technology and social science backgrounds. Jointly, they will explore how current and future farming technologies can enable and support truly ecology-based farming systems. The partners in this program are Wageningen University & Research, University of Twente, Eindhoven University of Technology, Technical University Delft, Radboud University, Top Institute Food and Nutrition (TiFN) and a broad range of private sector partners. Next to the 26 full time researchers, over 30 experienced researchers will contribute to the program. The program consists of 5 work packages which are connected to three use-cases in different agricultural domains: greenhouse horticulture, dairy and arable farming. The program will run from 2020 to 2027. For more information see www.technology4ecology.org .
The research challenges for this position
The work of the postdoc entails the conceptual design and exploration of future farming systems for the three use-cases in the Synergia research program. This task will be carried out in close collaboration with WP5 (societal aspects) and will involve cooperation with researchers, farmers, industry partners and policy makers related to each use-case. The scientific challenge is to further develop and apply the Reflexive Interactive Design (RIO) approach, build upon the T4E approach and integrate current and future technologies. Part of the design process is to provide 'hooks' in both the process and the resulting design to stimulate the practical uptake (building on the concept of 'anchoring') of the new farming systems. To this end, three forms of anchoring are distinguished, viz. technological, network and institutional anchoring. The design process is shaped such that each of these is stimulated along the way. The design process will also make use of expectations and experiences of biology and technology researchers in WP1-4 and in the use-cases. We see all stages of innovation, i.e. conception/design, development and uptake/implementation of new technology and farming practices as an inherently socio-technical process. For this reason the postdoc will closely cooperate with social scientists and scientists with a background in Science and Technology Studies (STS), thus on the intersection between the technical and social development. The postdoc will closely cooperate with Dr. Bram Bos from Wageningen Livestock Research and Dr. Boelie Elzen from Wageningen Plant Research.
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