Postdoc Position – Phenotyping and Agroecology of Legume Crops

Nov 3, 2021 | Event, General, News, Press, Science

The Crop Science Group of ETH Zurich seeks for a postdoctoral researcher to contribute to projects in phenotyping of soybean, peas and/or pulses. The three-year postdoc will develop approaches for “phenomic selection”, explore options to include legume crops into advanced cropping systems and collaborate with research partners in robotics, food and social sciences.

 

Project background

Increasing the share of legume crops cultivated for direct human consumption is an important societal demand for which research related to phenotyping, breeding and agronomy in crops such as soybean, pea and various pulses is required. The Crop Science Group operates a unique rope camera system – the field phenotyping platform FIP (kp.ethz.ch/FIP) in Lindau-Eschikon, 20 km outside of Zürich. On this field site, but also in fields of national and international partners, the group is monitoring the development of a wide range of crops with a focus on wheat and soybean. The interdisciplinary group of Crop Science has research specialists and technicians in crop physiology, breeding and imaging. They are involved in a wide range of teaching and outreach activities and offer courses such as ‘Crop Phenotyping’, ‘Crop Production’, ‘Alternative Crops’ and ‘Innovation in Smart Farming’. The Crop Science Group has a wide range of collaborations with groups from the national center for agricultural research ‘Agroscope’, the technical University HAFL and with other national and international partners from robotics to social sciences.

 

Job description

The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible to initiate and/or contribute to projects in phenotyping of soybean, peas and/or pulses. The researcher will make best use of the above described possibilities and opportunities. The Crop Science Group expects that the postdoctoral researcher will

  • Proactively develop approaches for ‘phenomic selection’ in breeding of legume crops
  • Explore research options in agroecology, crop rotation and intercropping of legume crops
  • Collaborate with research partners and companies in robotics, food and social sciences
  • Supervise students from BSc to doctoral level and contribute to teaching of the group
  • Publish manuscripts and engage in grant applications of the group
  • Support public outreach activities of the group (website, social media, exhibitions)

 

Your profile

You should, by the time of appointment, have completed a PhD in Agricultural Sciences, Crop Physiology or a related field and you should have at least one first-author manuscript published in the fields of phenotyping or agroecology of legume crops. Moreover you have

  • Experience with field phenotyping experiments
  • Experience with legume crops
  • Good programming and statistical modelling skills
  • Sound knowledge of English is obligatory; German is highly recommended
  • Good communication and time management skills as well as willingness to participate in a collaborative and multifaceted research environment.

A note: research indicates that women and individuals from marginalised groups tend to apply only when they meet all of the criteria. If you believe you’re qualified, but don’t necessarily check every box, please submit an application.

 

Interested?

The Crop Science Group looks forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

  • Motivational letter
  • CV
  • One-page research concept of your envisaged activities
  • Copies of Master and PhD certificates
  • Two reference letters (or at least contact details of two persons of reference)

Please note that the Crop Science Group exclusively accepts applications submitted through their online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

 

 

Online application

until 30 November 2021

Online application form ETH Zürich

 

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Contact

 

Prof. Achim Walter

achim.walter@usys.ethz.ch

Only questions, no application

 

 

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Further information

About the Crop Science Group

Homepage – Crop Science | ETH Zurich