Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Responsible Innovation and Agri-Tech Adoption, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, UK

Last Date: 26 November 2023.

Are you an experienced Post-Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA), with a focus on responsible innovation and commercialisation in the context of the adoption of agricultural technologies for crop-based agriculture?

We are looking for an individual to join our research team in the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology (LIAT), based at our Riseholme Campus, as part of the LINCAM Ceres Agri-Tech Cluster.

You will be responsible for conducting research on the project, as directed by the LINCAM Director and Executive team, and you will have the opportunity to operate with a significant degree of autonomy.  You will also work with the EPSRC Next Stage Centre DIGIT-LAB, led by the University of Exeter Business School, in order to assess drivers and barriers to digital transformation and emerging business models.

You will need to have experience of structured evidence review; facilitating one-to-one and group discussions; qualitative and quantitative research methods particularly discourse and content analysis; interview techniques, designing and leading facilitated workshops; and dissemination activities. Excellent IT skills (ideally NVivo, SPSS or similar) are required, along with experience of authoring, or co-authoring academic outputs (e.g. journal articles, research reports). Knowledge of aspects of the development and adoption of early-stage technology and commercialisation would be advantageous. Experience of Agri-Tech, Agriculture and/or Horticulture is also desirable.

The LINCAM Ceres Agri-Tech Cluster (EPSRC Place Based Impact Acceleration Account) has £5m funding to catalyse and scale a world leading Agri-Tech cluster in the Greater Lincolnshire and North Cambridgeshire Fens region. It will accelerate the impact of Agri-Tech emerging from UK Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and work with civic partners to develop the supporting infrastructures, networks, and skills to secure a globally significant and sustainable cluster. LINCAM specifically focuses on impact that delivers sustainable growth, measures that enhance agri-food and technology businesses whilst driving community and social inclusion and reducing environmental impacts. In this way it looks to transform early-stage academic innovation and technology into commercially attractive opportunities for the Agri-Tech sector in the LINCAM region.

The Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology (LIAT) based at the University’s Riseholme Campus is home to a working farm with specialist research facilities. LIAT’s multi-disciplinary team brings together sector-leading expertise in a diverse range of areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, engineering, crop science, environmental sustainability, food manufacturing, product development and supply chains. Our goals include supporting and enhancing the future of food and agriculture productivity, efficiency, and sustainability through research, education, and technology.

At the University of Lincoln, we embrace flexibility and a hybrid culture of working; therefore, as part of this role you will experience working as part of a vibrant campus community, with external stakeholders, and the ability to partially work remotely.

For informal discussions and enquiries please contact: Prof Louise Manning, Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology, at [email protected].

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