PRR Project

Summary

Agriculture 4.0 (Ag 4.0), representing the fourth agricultural revolution, signifies the integration of advanced technologies, data-driven practices, and automation in farming to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. This transformative shift redefines traditional farming, making it more data-driven and eco-friendly. Consequently, research in this field is crucial for addressing complex challenges with broad implications for agriculture, the environment, and society. It plays a critical role in improving productivity, ensuring global food security, promoting environmental conservation, and safeguarding the well-being of farming communities.Four main tasks will be considered:1.         Real-time Crop Monitoring: Research and implement advanced technologies (IoT) in proximal sensor networks for monitoring crop water status, nutritional status, phytosanitary status, soil, and meteorological variables. Explore remote sensing technologies (satellite, UAVs) for precise field mapping and analysis. Develop strategies for integrating smart farming solutions to optimize resource utilization.2.         Sustainability: Study the impact of Ag. 4.0 on environmental sustainability and propose improvements while exploring and implementing eco-friendly farming practices using technology.3.         Data analytics and Machine Learning: Analyze large datasets to derive actionable insights for precision farming. Develop machine learning algorithms for predictive analytics and resource management. This includes predicting crop yields, identifying diseases, optimizing irrigation schedules, and customizing agricultural practices based on data-driven recommendations. Implement crop dynamic models to simulate the growth and development of crops, assessing the risk associated with different environmental and management scenarios.4.         Policy and Regulation: Contribute to the development of national (and eventually European) supportive policies and implementing regulations that foster the responsible adoption of advanced technologies in agriculture while addressing social, economic, and environmental considerations.Scientific profile for this position:The position seeks a Researcher proficient in, with1. PhD in Agronomy, with solid background in data analytics, machine learning, and statistical modelling.2. Demonstrated research skills: Extensive expertise in project management, with a robust knowledge of agricultural systems, crop science, environmental science, experience with programming languages (Python, R) and relevant software tools. Strong analytical skills to derive meaningful insights from research findings. Substantial track record of scientific contributions published in indexed journals, as well as books or book chapters. Proven experience in successfully supervising master´s and/or doctoral students.3. Interdisciplinary Integration: Ability to integrate knowledge from various disciplines into cohesive research projects. Experience in collaborating across interdisciplinary teams for holistic research outcomes.4. Well-Developed Interpersonal Skills: Ability to collaborate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team. Demonstrated aptitude for managing tasks efficiently within time constraints.5. Excellent Organizational Skills: Strong organizational abilities to work in complex projects. Attention to detail in all aspects of work, ensuring precision and accuracy. Proficiency in articulating concepts clearly and persuasively.Rationale for INIAV hiring:Ag 4.0 is identified as one of the 15 emblematic initiatives of the Innovation Agenda for Agriculture 2020-2030 (RCM no. 86/2020) and is based INIAV/Polo de Inovação de Dois Portos (PIDP). This underscores the strategic national importance of INIAV in generating scientific knowledge in digital agriculture and emphasizes the need to ensure its continued operation. However, INIAV faces challenges due to the advanced age of senior researchers and the absence of younger individuals with PhD qualifications in the team. Additionally, the limited number of permanent researchers in Ag 4.0 emphasizes the necessity to strengthen and consolidate the team with additional permanent researchers in this specialized field.By hiring this skilled researcher INIAV aims to stay at the forefront of technological advancements in agriculture, contributing to increased productivity, sustainability, knowledge dissemination, fostering innovation, awareness and training of stakeholders, providing insights into policy and regulatory frameworks, ensuring the responsible and ethical adoption of advanced technologies in agriculture. The hired researcher will be expected (i) to develop a research program and be able to attract competitive external grant funding while developing national and international research collaborations.; (ii) to be involved in the transfer of knowledge and technologies and participate in dissemination activities; (iii) to create synergies with other research