FUNDED MRES – The Biodiversity Impacts of an Autonomous Robotic Polyculture Strip Cropping System (MRES-BC1-A)

Job title:

FUNDED MRES – The Biodiversity Impacts of an Autonomous Robotic Polyculture Strip Cropping System (MRES-BC1-A)

Company

Harper Adams University

Job description

Agriculture & Environment Location: Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB
Salary: As per advert
Post Type: Full Time
Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Monday 02 September 2024
Reference: MRES-BC1-AFUNDED MRes (Agroecology) Studentship – Tuition Scholarship (12 months funding)Supported by the HAU as part of Innovate UK fundingBackgroundThis MRes studentship will support the Innovate UK Funded project ‘Robotic Arable Polyculture Farming’ which aims to test the feasibility of an innovative autonomous robot and toolset capable of farming broadacre arable crops in a polyculture strip cropping system, and evaluate any potential associated ecological benefits . This is driven by the need for environmental sustainability and resilience, along with regenerating biodiversity and our soils.The element of the project this MRes focuses on will aim to provide a comprehensive survey of invertebrate communities across the polyculture cropping system trial site and compare the results to conventionally managed sites. This will be used as a measure of biodiversity to illustrate the benefits of the cropping system and it’s low impact machinery.Current arable farming practice in England (and much of the world) is heavily reliant on monocultures, to grow crops as time efficiently as possible . For many years this has provided ever increasing crop yields, spurred on by agrochemicals and ever larger machinery, but the yields have plateaued and the detriment of monocultures to our environment and soils is more evident than ever. The proposed polyculture strip cropping system can potentially alleviate the issues associated with monocultures while decreasing fertiliser and agrochemical usage, regenerating biodiversity, regenerating our soils, and increasing yields .Project ObjectivesThe key project objectives are to:

• Investigate the impact of a Robotic Arable Polyculture Cropping System on:
• Biodiversity of invertebrate communities, with an emphasis on both pests and beneficial species
• Any community-wide effects on the overall health of the crops used within the polyculture system to inform and support future practices
• Critically evaluate how a robotic arable polyculture cropping system compares to a conventionally farmed system with relation to biodiversity and further develop agroecological solutions to complex problems arising from intensive land use

The outputs from such research should inform stakeholders within the sector about the potential impact of polyculture farming systems on improving biodiversity within agriculture. This information will be valuable to any individual or organisation with an interest in the impact of polyculture farming systems and emerging agro-ecological technologies. Dissemination of findings will be through journal publication and through delivery of a short lecture to the relevant stakeholders and other interested parties, including the HAU internal research conference.A further objective is that this MRes scholarship supports the development of a researcher focused on agroecology and its associated benefits to biodiversity. As part of the MRes programme additional support will be provided through 4 selected taught modules that introduce and develop essential core skills within the student. Through this project the student will receive training and support as required in research and information skills, advanced research methods, biology and taxonomy of students and insect physiology. The student will develop skills suited to working as an academic researcher or a public sector/industry researcher, or to a range of roles related to agricultural education and outreach.The MRes (Agroecology) Studentship is supported by HAU as part of an existing Innovate UK funded project entitled ‘Robotic Arable Polyculture Cropping’.ApplicationsA covering letter and CV should be sent to Ben Clunie –The deadline is 5 pm UK time Monday 2nd September 2024Further information on Harper Adams University can be found at and on the research training provided and MRes requirements at:For informal enquiries on the project, or questions relating to entomology, applicants may contact Ben Clunie through the staff directory:All applicants must have:

• One of the following:
• UK honours degree (or equivalent) in zoology, entomology, environmental and land-based studies, or related fields, with a minimum 2.1 achievement in degree qualification (or equivalent)
• Honours degree plus previous and appropriate research experience
• Postgraduate diploma or equivalent (at merit or distinction)
• Evidence of interest and experience in entomology and/or agricultural systems with a good foundation of entomological ID skills.
• The ability to work as part of a research team and self-motivation to take responsibility for their own work, and evidence to illustrate this.
• A minimum level of competency in English. International applicants must be classed with an overall International English Language Test System (IELTS) grade of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component. International applicants, or those whose first language is not English, may provide evidence of this by uploading their certificate. Alternatively, evidence of successful achievement of a degree taught in English may be sufficient. Please see the following link with regard to English Language requirements:

Desirable

• It would be desirable for candidates to be confident working on insect ID to at least family level, with an expectation that the successful applicant will have the ability to progress this to species.
• The field site is located on a farm located near Lichfield in Derbyshire, so whilst the successful applicant will be based at HAU, there will be a need to travel to the site throughout the course of the year. Although travel will likely occur as part of a group, it would be desirable for the candidate to have a driving licence.
• Any experience working with data analysis and associated analysis software (R, Python, GIS etc) would be beneficial due to the timeframe of the project

Other

• Applications from any candidates with lived experience that they feel is relevant to this subject area would be welcomed.

Starting datesThe studentship would commence on Tuesday 17th September 2024 at Harper Adams University, Edgmond, Shropshire, United Kingdom, with visits to field site near Lichfield, Derbyshire.Bennett, A.J., et al. 2012. Meeting the demand for crop production: the challenge of yield decline in crops grown in short rotations. Biological reviewsGurr, G.M., et al. 2003. Multi-function agricultural biodiversity: pest management and other benefits. Basic and Applied EcologyMartinez, D.A., et al. 2024. Impacts of polycultural cropping on crop yields and biodiversity: A systematic map protocol. Ecological Solutions and EvidenceHarper Adams University is one of the premier UK Higher Education institutions focused on the land-based and food supply chain sector. With around 2,800 undergraduate students, plus those completing postgraduate, research and CPD programmes, Harper Adams University is the UK’s largest single provider of higher education for these subjects. Programmes fall into eleven broad subject areas – but none operate in isolation. Community and collaboration are key at Harper Adams, meaning everyone, including staff, students and industry partners, benefits from a close network of knowledge and opportunity exchange. Situated in Shropshire, the campus and the surrounding area provide an excellent working and living environment for staff and students alike.Harper Adams is consistently positioned highly in a range of national ratings, performance measures and league tables. The University has been the highest performing modern university in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for the last four years, climbing to 17th place in the overall league table. In the 2020 guide Harper Adams was named Modern University of the Year and runner-up University of the Year. In the 2019 Whatuni? Student Choice Awards, based on student reviews, Harper Adams won the Student Support category for the fifth time – the only university to have taken the title since the awards began – and won the category for best job prospects for a fourth year running. In the 2020 QS World Rankings for Agriculture and Forestry published in March 2020, Harper Adams was ranked first in the UK for academic reputation and second in the world for its reputation with employers.Harper Adams University is internationally recognised for the quality of its research, as evidenced by the In order to maintain and uphold the high standards of our research, we continue to undertake initiatives to ensure that integrity, ethics and excellence are at the core of our research activities and fully embedded in our research culture.Find JobsSearch Jobs:LoginPlease note: Javascript must be enabled to use this website.Email / Username:Password:I accept cookies

Expected salary

Location

Edgmond, Shropshire – Lichfield, Staffordshire

Job date

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 07:55:47 GMT

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