The Chair of Technology in Crop Production invites applications from highly motivated candidates with a passion for and experience in agricultural mechatronics. The funding is available for three years starting as soon as possible. Salary will be according to EG 13 TV-L (80%) for the federal state of Baden-Württemberg.
About the Role
The tasks comprise the conductance of a research project with an emphasis on implementing ISO 11783 (ISOBUS) technologies on agricultural autonomous vehicles and smart implements. The main aim is to equip the agricultural implements with the necessary sensor and control systems to “close the loop” at the field level, i.e. to apply the action that is produced after sensing and analysis. This should be performed by removing the operator and by making the process fully autonomous. The connection with the Farm Management Information System and the use of new ISOBUS advancements such as the TIM (tractor-implement management) are substantial. The role is in the frame of the newly funded H2020 project Robs4Crops where you will have the chance to interact and collaborate with 15 other academic and industry partners from all over Europe.
Your responsibilities
- Submission of high-quality publications in international journals.
- Link and integrate with research projects of the other PhD candidates in the group.
- Contribute to group activities as requested by your promoters that are within the remit of the role and the grant, and the associated grade. This may include:
- Supporting and collaborating with MSc and other PhD candidates.
- Contribution to teaching programmes if requested to do so.
- Assist in other activities in the group as deemed necessary.
Your Qualifications
- An MSc degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or Agriculture Engineering with excellent to good marks.
- Knowledge of basic software and modelling languages, such as MATLAB, LabVIEW, CODESYS, C++.
- Excellent skills in one or several of the following topics: mechatronics, mechanical engineering, communication technology, robotics.
- Interest in agricultural vehicle automation and information technologies.
- Ability to work as a member of a team within a dynamic research group.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English (German language skills are beneficial).
Application deadline: 15.04.2021
Please attach the following documents to your application: 1) A cover letter outlining your motivation, research and teaching (if any) experience; 2) Detailed CV and publication record; 3) Your MSc degree or an interim document if you are still finishing your MSc; 4) A verified transcript of your MSc and BSc degrees; 5) Contact detail of two professional references. Send your applications at latest 04.04.2021 via email (in a single PDF file), with the subject ‘R4C Application’ to PD Dr. Dimitrios S. Paraforos (E-mail: d.paraforos(at)uni-hohenheim.de)
Bringing the farmer perspective to agricultural robots
In a bold commitment to mainstreaming robotic farming, Robs4Crops will provide a safe testing ground to iterate further and innovate within a nurturing ecosystem. We put the farmers and end-users at the heart of everything we do: from user requirements analysis to iterative testing and the business model experimentation process. The trials will be conducted in partnership with commercial farms and business leaders from France, Greece, Spain, and The Netherlands.
The project will multiply its impact by fostering cooperation and synergies across the growing pan-European ecosystem of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) and flagship EU-funded projects such as SmartAgriHubs, agROBOfood, etc.
Dr Frits van Evert, Senior Scientist at Wageningen University & Research and Robs4Crops Project Coordinator, commented: “Agriculture is very sensitive to the cost and scarcity of labour. And making cultivation practices more efficient and sustainable is critical. Robs4Crops is a game-changer in revitalising the European food and farm industry and the vital catalyst in accelerating the adoption of high-tech robotics and automated technologies in agriculture.”
Notes to editors:
At a glance – Key facts and figures
- Instrument: Horizon 2020, Information and Communication Technologies, H2020-ICT-2018-20
- Total costs: €7.928.092,50
- Contribution of the European Union: €6.834.121,50
- Duration: 4 years, 2021-2024
- Consortium: A total of 16 partners from 7 European countries
