Last application date May 19, 2025 00:00
Department LA20 - Department of Environment
Contract Limited duration
Degree Master degree (preferably) in Soil Science, Agriculture Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, data science, or mechatronics engineering
Occupancy rate 100%
Vacancy type Research staff
Job description
A fully funded PhD scholarship in monitoring and modelling soil nitrogen dynamics in a precision agriculture context
ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities.
With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programs grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.
Doctoral fellow
A 4-year PhD fellowship is available in Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management (SoFer - https://www.ugent.be/bw/environment/en/research/sofer) Group and Precision Soil and Crop Engineering (Precision Scoring - https://www.ugent.be/bw/environment/en/research/presco) Group, within the Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering in Ghent University (UGent) in Belgium.
YOUR JOB
We are looking for an enthusiastic young scientist to work on the NitroScope Horizon Europe project, aiming at providing a comprehensive understanding of soil N flux dynamics, and coordinated by UGent, with Prof. Abdul Mouazen, named as the project coordinator. NitroScope will make a combined use of different measurement techniques to reduce uncertainties and biases in N flux monitoring, including proximal sensing, remote sensing, Eddy covariance and in-situ continuous sampling accompanied by traditional laboratory analyses. NitroScope will benefit from the expertise of its partners to implement methodologies most suitable for specific pedo-climatic zones, as a cost-effective and practical way for long-term monitoring and to support various approaches for N flux modeling and analysis.
The successful candidate will be responsible to answer research questions related to the use of spectroscopy methods, e.g., visible and near infrared, mid infrared and advanced machine learning and artificial intelligent modelling to enable accurate monitoring of nitrogen mineralization rate to enable understanding and improving monitoring of different sources of N fluxes in the system. He/she will need to contribute to the optimization and implementation of advanced sensing platforms for the collection of data on soil N, more specifically nitrogen mineralization rate to enable precision agriculture decision making for precision N management. You will also support the delivery of the tasks assigned to UGent in the mother NitroScope project, which will consist of a Team or researchers of one postdoctoral assistant, 2 PhD students and 2 professors. Given the highly international character of the NitroScope project (25 partners from 14 EU countries), you are expected to be willing to travel abroad for specific research tasks within your PhD.
Other responsibilities include supporting the Precision Scoring and SoFer groups in:
- Supervising BSc and MSc students and assist in their field measurement, and data analyses.
- Submission of high quality publications in international scientific journals.
- Link to and integrate with research run by different PhD students and postdocs in the two Groups as deemed appropriate.
- Contribute to groups activities as requested by your promoters that are within the remit of the role, the grant, and the associated grade.
- Bridge research and promote collaborations between the two research groups and other 24 European partners in NitroScope project, benefiting from this opportunity to the candidate to develop his/her international scientific profile.
Job profile
- You hold a Master degree (preferably) in Soil Science, Agriculture Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, data science, or mechatronics engineering.
- Basic knowledge in sensing technologies and measurement systems.
- Basic knowledge in machine learning, deep learning and/or data fusion and modelling tools, and eager to learn about more advanced modelling techniques.
- User of engineering software and modelling languages, such as, Python, MATLAB Toolbox, LabVIEW, DaisyLab, C++…..
- Working in interdisciplinary environments, good contextual understanding of agricultural systems and the ability to work in the field is desirable.
- Possessing excellent project and time management skills to ensure that milestones and deliverables are achieved to time and to high quality.
- The candidate should have a high level of proficiency in English sufficient to communicate effectively with colleagues and write papers and reports.
- The candidate should be prepared to work in close collaboration with the supervising team as well as the PhD students working within the project, in the group or in the department.
- Good practical problem solver / Ability to find appropriate solutions to academic and technical problems.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
- Your contract will start on 01/11/2025 at the earliest.
- The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by the Department of Personnel and Organization based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales
- All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.
How to apply
Applications should be submitted to Dr. Muhammad Qaswar (e-mail: [email protected]) and copy Prof. Abdul M. Mouazen (e-mail: [email protected]) and Prof. Stefaan de Neve by 19th May 2024, enclosing the following documents:
- A cover letter outlining your academic interests, research experience and reasons for wishing to work on this project
- Detailed CV and publication record
- If available, two reference letters from academic workers
- Your MSc degree or an interim document if you are still finishing your MSc
- A verified transcript of your MSc and BSc degrees
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Abdul M. Mouazen ([email protected], +32(0)9 264 6247) and/or Prof. Stefaan de Neve ([email protected], +32(0)9 264 6061).
We do not accept late applications.
