Ad Astra Fellow - Assistant Professor of Agri-food Systems Data Science

UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and teaching while addressing critical national and global challenges in sustainable food systems.

We invite ambitious scholars with a strong background in applying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to complex datasets within agri-food systems. The successful candidate will play a leading role in advancing the School's expertise in agri-food systems modelling, focusing on sustainability and innovation in food production. They will be instrumental in developing a vibrant research agenda, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and making significant contributions to both teaching and student mentorship.

This position is aligned with UCD’s Strategy to 2030, particularly its pillars of Advancing Research and Innovation and Driving Sustainability. The successful candidate will contribute significantly to UCD’s mission of addressing pressing societal challenges through impactful research, teaching, and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Research Leadership: Develop an internationally recognised research programme focused on the application and development of advanced modelling techniques, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Cost Assessment (LCCA), and other cutting-edge tools to assess environmental, social, and economic aspects of agri-food systems while securing extramural funding and attracting high-calibre postgraduate students to contribute to innovative research.
• Collaboration and Impact: Leading and collaborating on research funding applications and policy proposals, contributing to the expansion of research capacity by working with interdisciplinary teams across the school, university, and external stakeholders to address sustainability challenges in the agri-food sector. Fostering partnerships to promote impactful research that informs both academic discourse and policymaking.
• Teaching and Student Mentorship: Delivering high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in areas such as environmental impact assessment, agricultural sustainability, and related subjects. Supervising and mentoring undergraduate, master's and doctoral research students and postdoctoral researchers. Contributing to the development of course curricula to ensure alignment with the latest advancements in agri-food modelling.
• Academic Contribution: Publishing high-quality research in leading peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at both national and international conferences. Engage in activities that contribute to the academic life of the School and the University, including committee participation, curriculum development, and community outreach, playing an active role in enhancing the School's profile as a leader in sustainable agri-food systems research.

95 Lecturer/Asst Professor Above the Bar (7943) Salary Scale: €62,855 - €99,533 Per Annum

Appointment will be made on scale and in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines.

Closing date: 12:00 noon (local Irish time) on the 21st February 2025. 

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 12:00 noon (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications.

Please note: the eRecruitment system only requests the names of two referees. The full list of 3 referees should be included in the text of your application.

UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CVs submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.

Note: Hours of work for academic staff are those as prescribed under Public Service Agreements. For further information please follow the link; https://www.ucd.ie/hr/t4media/Academic%20Contract.pdf