Last application date Jul 31, 2024 00:00
Department LA21 - Department of Plants and Crops
Contract Limited duration
Degree Master degree in Bioscience engineering, Biosciences, Horticultural sciences, Biology, Engineering, or an equivalent relevant degree
Occupancy rate 100%
Vacancy type Research staff
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 programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.
For the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Plants and Crops, Laboratory of Plant Ecology we are looking for a m/f/x
YOUR JOB
PROJECT – DigiKas (a 4-year interdisciplinary VLAIO LA-trajectory project, supported by various stakeholders)
DigiKas is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of greenhouse horticulture. By promoting the use of plant sensors, we aim to improve the monitoring of plant behaviour in climate-controlled greenhouses, and advance data-driven cultivation management among Flemish tomato growers. Our focus includes identifying and addressing bottlenecks in sensor application and digitalization, improving tomato growers' competencies with sensor use, and increasing knowledge on resource-saving strategies related to light, energy, water, and CO2. We also target to develop and implement innovative data analysis techniques that integrate mechanistic plant modelling with machine learning, translating sensor data into cultivation strategy actions to boost production efficiency. Additionally, DigiKas is building an online knowledge platform for sensor applications in horticulture. We are committed to coaching and mentoring the tomato sector towards the next step in smart farming.
Tasks
Where
The candidate will work at the Laboratory of Plant Ecology (Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University) under the supervision of Prof. Kathy Steppe, and will spend time at Agrotopia and the Knowledge centre Energy, Thomas More. Data will be collected in Agrotopia (Roeselare), in campus greenhouses and climate rooms (UGent, Thomas More) and in high-level commercial greenhouses located throughout Flanders.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Please send a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how this PhD project aligns with your experiences and goals. Additionally, include your curriculum vitae with contact information for two references, all in a single pdf-file. The file should be named: “surname_first name_DigiKas". We look forward to receiving your application by July 31, 2024.
Please send the application file via email to Kathy Steppe (kathy.steppe@UGent.be) and Pui Yi Ng (puiyi.ng@UGent.be). For additional information about the project, please contact Prof. Kathy Steppe (kathy.steppe@UGent.be).
Ghent University is one of the top 100 universities in the Dutch language area, with more than 44,000 students and 15,000 staff members.
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