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- Tasks: Conduct research on food system resilience and vertical farming, creating causal systems maps.
- Company: Join the University of Sussex, a leading research institution known for its diverse and inclusive environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy a beautiful campus, flexible working options, and a supportive community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on UK food systems while collaborating with experts across multiple disciplines.
- Qualifications: PhD or relevant experience in systems thinking, with skills in qualitative and quantitative analysis.
- Other info: Applications from diverse backgrounds are encouraged, especially women and ethnic minorities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Causal Systems Mapping of UK Leafy Greens Supply Chain Ref: 41170 (Fixed Term)
Join to apply for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Causal Systems Mapping of UK Leafy Greens Supply Chain Ref: 41170 (Fixed Term) role at University of Sussex
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Causal Systems Mapping of UK Leafy Greens Supply Chain Ref: 41170 (Fixed Term)
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Join to apply for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Causal Systems Mapping of UK Leafy Greens Supply Chain Ref: 41170 (Fixed Term) role at University of Sussex
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About The Role
Research post applying systems thinking to food system resilience and vertical farming as part of the “Vertical Farming to Improve UK Food System Resilience (VF-UKFSR)” project.
About The Role
Research post applying systems thinking to food system resilience and vertical farming as part of the “Vertical Farming to Improve UK Food System Resilience (VF-UKFSR)” project.
The role will involve building causal systems maps of the UK leafy green supply chain in workshops with partner farmers (both conventional horticulture and vertical farming) and from interviews and literature. Exploring how different potential risks to the supply chain might impact on it and the broader system and then working with farmers to understand how they might respond and adapt.
There is opportunity for work on novel ways to use systems maps to explore the impacts and interactions of risks and the resilience of complex food systems. Both with developing new network analysis tools and new participatory approaches to uncover and understand risks/vulnerabilities and to explore adaptation strategies.
You will work closely with the interdisciplinary VF-Resilience team across multiple universities and with our farm partners, collaborating across the project to integrate systems approaches with socio-economic and land use modelling and work on social acceptance, and helping to form a roadmap to support policy and industry in understanding the future role of VF in the UK food system.
About You
You must be ambitious and able to work independently, as well as collaboratively, in a diverse and multidisciplinary team. Successful applicants should have, or will soon have, a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline, or commensurate professional experience, with evidence of strong interdisciplinary working and qualitative and quantitative skills or demonstrable capacity to develop them where there are gaps.
You should have skills and enthusiasm for using systems thinking approaches and tools in real world challenges. The ideal candidate will have previous experience in systems thinking or complexity, and in participatory approaches, ideally in systems mapping or other types of participatory modelling.
You must be able to work with stakeholders and have the ability to organize and maintain an ongoing participatory process and stakeholder relationships as well as to adapt the process to on-the-ground constraints.
A strong interest in, and ideally experience of food systems and horticulture/agriculture coupled with an interest in resilience and risk analysis is required.
Quantitative skills in network analysis, causal analysis, risk and resilience or related analysis skills, alongside the ability to code in R or Python, or a demonstrable ability to develop these are highly desirable. As well as sufficient understanding of quantitative and qualitative methods to develop novel map analysis useful to system stakeholders.
You must have sufficient cross-disciplinary understanding and experience to work collaboratively on bridging qualitative and quantitative models, methods and data with other researchers in order to support connections across the project team.
You should have experience in producing academic publications alongside research work and be able to organize your workload and time to do so.
About Our Division
Please find further information regarding the Department of Informatics at www.sussex.ac.uk/informatics/
Why work here
Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.
Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.
Find Out More About Our Reward And Benefits Package.
Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion
Further Key Information
Please contact Dr Alexandra Penn Alexandra.penn@sussex.ac.uk for informal enquiries.
For full details and how to apply see our vacancies page.
The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex.
Please note that this position may be subject to ATAS clearance if you require visa sponsorship.
The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.
Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role has been assigned an eligible SOC code and meets the salary requirements for Skilled Worker Sponsorship if full time and appointed at Grade 7.4. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Causal Systems Mapping of UK Leafy Greens Supply Chain Ref: 411[...] employer: University of Sussex
Contact Detail:
University of Sussex Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Causal Systems Mapping of UK Leafy Greens Supply Chain Ref: 411[...]
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the field of food systems and vertical farming. Attend relevant conferences or workshops where you can meet potential collaborators and stakeholders, as building these relationships can significantly enhance your application.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest research and methodologies in systems thinking and participatory modelling. Being able to discuss recent advancements and how they relate to the role will demonstrate your commitment and expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your quantitative skills, especially in network analysis and coding in R or Python. Consider working on a small project or case study that highlights your ability to apply these skills in real-world scenarios, which you can discuss during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with the University of Sussex's research community online. Follow their social media channels and participate in discussions to stay updated on their projects and initiatives, which can provide valuable insights for your application and interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Causal Systems Mapping of UK Leafy Greens Supply Chain Ref: 411[...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. Emphasise your interdisciplinary work, systems thinking approaches, and any experience in participatory modelling or food systems.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly articulates your motivation for applying to this specific role. Discuss your interest in food systems resilience and how your background makes you a suitable candidate for the project.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, specifically mention your quantitative skills, coding abilities in R or Python, and any experience with network analysis or causal analysis. Provide examples of how you've applied these skills in previous projects.
Showcase Collaborative Experience: Demonstrate your ability to work within diverse teams by providing examples of past collaborative projects. Highlight your experience in maintaining stakeholder relationships and adapting processes to meet project needs.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Sussex
✨Showcase Your Systems Thinking Skills
Make sure to highlight your experience with systems thinking approaches during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've applied these methods in real-world challenges, particularly in food systems or related fields.
✨Demonstrate Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Since this role involves working with a diverse team, share instances where you've successfully collaborated across disciplines. Emphasise your ability to bridge qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as your experience in participatory approaches.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Brush up on your quantitative skills, especially in network analysis and causal analysis. Be ready to discuss your coding experience in R or Python, and think about how you can demonstrate your ability to develop these skills further if needed.
✨Express Your Passion for Food Systems
Convey your enthusiasm for food systems, horticulture, and agriculture during the interview. Discuss any relevant experiences or projects that showcase your interest in resilience and risk analysis within these areas.
