PhD Opportunity: Innovating Precision Agriculture with Soft and Biodegradable Sensing Technologies

Are you an aspiring researcher driven by the prospect of developing cutting-edge soft and biodegradable sensing technologies for sustainable agri-food production? Eager to fuse innovative data techniques with environmentally conscious farming practices? If you’re enthusiastic about advancing eco-smart precision farming, this PhD opportunity in Soft and Biodegradable Sensing Technologies for Agri-Food Production might be the perfect fit for you!

Project Overview:

The Agricultural Biosystems Engineering group at Wageningen University invites applications for a PhD researcher position focusing on Soft and Biodegradable Sensing Technologies. In this role, you’ll delve into the development of biodegradable sensors integrated with soft sensing principles. This innovative approach aims to monitor and map soil moisture and nitrogen dynamics within agricultural fields, enhancing precision and sustainability in agri-food production.

Context:

In the face of population growth, climate change, resource scarcity, and soil degradation, precision application of resources like fertilizer and irrigation is crucial for agricultural productivity. Monitoring soil moisture and nitrogen levels in real time and at high resolution can aid in informed decision-making. By deploying a network of biodegradable sensors, it becomes possible to monitor soil conditions without contributing to electronic waste, unlike traditional sensors. However, this emerging biodegradable sensing technology requires extensive research to ensure reliability, stability, and data accuracy.

Your Role:

As a PhD candidate, your responsibilities will include:

• Selecting, calibrating, and verifying appropriate sensing principles for accurate and continuous monitoring of soil moisture and nitrogen in real field conditions.
• Investigating the performance of novel biodegradable sensors (reliability, biodegradability, limit of detection) and comparing them against traditional sensors in terms of measurement accuracy, resolution, and environmental impact.
• Collaborating with colleagues from Dutch Technical Universities within the 4TU Green Sensors project to optimize environmentally friendly sensing technologies for agriculture.

Location: Wageningen

Application Deadline: October 2, 2023

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, you should have:

• A PhD or MSc degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Farm Mechatronics, Agronomy, Soil Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Interest in both sensing and modeling, along with knowledge of soil and crop science.
• Proficiency in programming (e.g., Python) and experience with data mining, crop growth models, or open field experiments (sensor installation, data collection) is advantageous.
• Conceptual thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and project partners.
• The ability to meet the entry requirements of the WUR PhD program.
• Excellent written and spoken English (C1 level).

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What You Gain:

By taking on this PhD position, you’ll enjoy Wageningen University & Research’s excellent terms of employment, including study leave, parental leave, flexible working hours, sports facilities access, and a strong focus on vitality. Your fully funded PhD position will be accompanied by a tailored course program, contributing to your growth and development within the research team.

Explore More:

For detailed information on qualifications, responsibilities, and application procedures, visit the official job posting. Seize the opportunity to be at the forefront of developing biodegradable sensing technologies and contribute to environmentally sustainable precision agriculture.