Research Professor in Horticultural Technology
Research Professor in Horticultural Technology
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
Turku, Finland
The aim of horticultural technology research is to produce competitive and sustainable solutions and technologies for horticultural production in the northern climate. Technological developments are rapid, particularly in greenhouse and vertical farming, where the focus is on increasing the level of automatisation at different stages of production. Our specific objective is to develop resource-efficient production that minimises environmental impact in energy, water, and nutrient use. The research will also promote the development of biodiversity-enhancing and biocircular-economy-based solutions for horticultural and green industry use.
The Research Professor (tenure track: associate or full professor) will lead, develop and direct research in the field of the professorship at Luke. The duties include designing and implementing ambitious, innovative, and interdisciplinary research projects. Research areas may include emerging issues in horticulture technologies in greenhouse and vertical farming environments or production methods in the open field. Research may focus for example on horticultural cropping systems adapted to northern production conditions, growing systems, growing media, or the regulation of growing conditions.
This task requires the securing of long-term research funding from various sources. The role involves active development of the research area in collaboration with national and international research and stakeholder networks and mentoring early-career researchers. The role will also require active publication in high-impact scientific journals and dissemination of research results to policymakers, industry, primary producers, and society. In addition, the Research Professor is expected to apply and develop Luke’s strategy for profitable and responsible primary production in collaboration with research managers, other research professors, and senior researchers.
Our expectations of the applicant
The successful candidate must have a PhD in horticultural science, agrotechnology, plant production science, or related life sciences. The candidate must have a strong scientific background in their field of research, and a strong understanding of horticulture in a boreal environment and a vision for its development. A strong record of peer-reviewed scientific publications and successful research funding applications are also required. The person should have good interpersonal skills, and we expect strong experience of working in national and international scientific research projects and industry-oriented networks. Good oral and written English language skills and experience of sharing scientific knowledge are essential. Evidence of successful project and consortium management is also required. An understanding of circular economy concepts related to horticultural production, e.g. industrial symbiosis, is considered an advantage. The successful candidate must be willing to comply with Luke’s open science and open data policies.
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