University of Liege - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech Faculty Plant Sciences axis - Crop Science
Passage des Déportés, 2, B-5030 Gembloux Tél. +32(0)81 62 21 43 – @ : benjamin.dumont@uliege.be
Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech's, faculty of the University of Liege, has a privileged position at the crossroads of teaching, research and development, at the heart of issues of international and societal interest, which makes it a key player in sustainable development.
Phd Student in Agro-Ecosystem Modelling
Nature-based perennial grain cropping as a model to safeguard functional
biodiversity towards future-proof agriculture (NAPERDIV project)
Context
The impact of intense crop production on natural resources under the threat of climate change has resulted in a global magnification of environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.
This has forced the European Commission (EC) to proclaim the need to develop innovative and future-proof solutions of a more sustainable and productive agriculture adapted to climate change and biodiversity conservation. This is, however, difficult to put in place, as annual crops, including almost all grains, cover most of global croplands and are grown largely under intense management.
A concept gaining increasing attention is the shift from annual to perennial grain crops. Perennial grain cropping systems, as inspired by natural grassland ecosystems, provide an excellent design to promote nature-based solutions for mitigating global change effects, while maintaining an increased functional agrobiodiversity for a low input food production with social and economic benefits.
Project description
The NAPERDIV project will explore, through different working packages, the potential to include perennial crops in EU cropping systems, to design innovative future-proof nature based agro-ecosystems:
Evaluation of agronomical and environmental performances of perennial crops across a EU transect ;
Assessment of the crop-associated soil microbiome and soil fauna; Evaluation of perennial crops response to climatic induced stress ;
Animation of co-creation workshops to design nature based agro-ecosystems;
Cropping system modelling at the EU level to identify innovative future-proof nature-based agro-ecosystems.
Tasks to perform
The candidate will be in charge of:
Crop modelling of perennial crop-based cropping systems ;
Contribution to the integrated analysis and multiperformance evaluation of nature-based cropping systems;
Co-creation workshops animation with stakeholders (Scientific, farmers, etc.); Writing scientific articles (in the framework of the thesis project);
University of Liege - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech Faculty Plant Sciences axis - Crop Science
Passage des Déportés, 2, B-5030 Gembloux Tél. +32(0)81 62 21 43 – @ : benjamin.dumont@uliege.be
Qualifications
The candidate should ideally have a Master's degree in Bioengineering, Agronomic or Environmental Sciences (or any equivalent diploma).
The candidate must:
have an interest for modelling, ideally a first experience with simulation models have notions in programming
have notions of statistical analysis feel motivated to pursue a thesis
demonstrate a certain degree of autonomy good teamwork skills
have excellent communication skills in French (written and spoken)
Location
The candidate will be based in the Crop Science team – Plant Sciences axis – of the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech faculty, University of Liege, located in B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium (www.gembloux.uliege.be).
Collaborations
The candidate will work under the supervision of Prof. B. Dumont, in continuous interaction with other scientists, PhD students and the technical team. The candidate will be expected to work in collaboration with the other project partners and to join their teams across Europe on occasions.
Duration of the contract
4-year contract. (initial project duration of 3 years + 1 additional year of FNRS fellowship grant to finalize the thesis). Annual salary ~36,000 euros (doctoral grant). Belgian and international applications are accepted.
How to apply
Applications may be submitted by email to Benjamin Dumont (benjamin.dumont@uliege.be), with the reference [NAPERDIV-PhDoffer] and should include (1) a curriculum vitae, (2) a letter of motivation and, if possible, (3) the name, address and telephone number or email address of the master thesis supervisor.
The position should ideally be filled by 01Feb.2021 but will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
