Research Pro 5 - Agronomy & Plant Genetics

Research Pro 5 - Agronomy & Plant Genetics

Responsibilities
Role: Developing sustainable supply chains for perennial crops is a complex, uncertain task and effective models to meet this challenge have not yet been established. We presume that development of such supply chains will require sustained social learning and exchanges of diverse knowledge and people. Such social learning is needed to identify shared goals for supply chains and to plan and implement collective action to realize these goals. However, means and processes for such social learning, goal setting, and collective action are not well defined or evaluated. Such means and processes will be central to the Researcher's inquiry.

Location

Physical location is flexible, with the understanding that travel to The University of Minnesota (UMN) and sites around Minnesota and/or the Upper Midwest will be required.

Overview

We are looking for a proactive, dynamic Researcher to study social aspects of sustainability in value chains for novel crops that provide continuous living crop cover in agricultural landscapes, namely Kernza Perennial Grain, Winter Camelina, and Hazelnuts, among others, and help publicize and implement results.
The ideal candidate will have experience and interest in developing and conducting innovative social science research; an established or emerging focus on perennial and continuous living cover agriculture, rural livelihoods, social sustainability, economic sociology, and/or value chains; excellent collaboration and facilitation skills; and experience identifying and addressing barriers to diverse, equitable, and inclusive participation in agricultural or economic development processes.

The Researcher will engage with a multi-scale, evolving collaborative network through projects based at UMN. This research position will be primarily a collaboration with co-PIs at UMN, including through KernzaCAP and the Forever Green Initiative.

Role: Developing sustainable supply chains for perennial crops is a complex, uncertain task and effective models to meet this challenge have not yet been established. We presume that development of such supply chains will require sustained social learning and exchanges of diverse knowledge and people. Such social learning is needed to identify shared goals for supply chains and to plan and implement collective action to realize these goals. However, means and processes for such social learning, goal setting, and collective action are not well defined or evaluated. Such means and processes will be central to the Researcher's inquiry.

The Researcher will study social processes relevant to the research, development, adoption, scaling, commercialization, and partnerships and networks for Kernza, Winter Camelina, and Hazelnuts, and potentially additional perennial or continuous living cover crops. Activities will include using participatory action research to conduct and analyze interviews, participating in planning group meetings for value chains, engaging with new communities of farmers (particularly Black, Indigenous, Veterans, and farmers of color), understanding grower adoption as a social process, and helping conduct social sustainability evaluations of cropping systems and value chains.

The Researcher will help identify structural barriers for growers, processors, manufacturers, and consumers to engage in perennial agriculture supply chains, and help create systems--possibly including grower cooperatives, common resource trusts, or other social innovations--that enhance social sustainability and embrace diverse ways of knowing and doing in perennial and continuous living cover value chains. The researcher will also study the research, development, and commercialization network itself, including specific transdisciplinary projects, to better understand how to equitably and reciprocally carry out the transdisciplinary work of developing novel sustainable crops, as well as document what social benefits people receive from participating in these projects and early value chains.

Research Leadership & Methodological Innovation - 40%

• Lead, design, and implement research projects applying innovative social science methodologies to build understanding of social processes relevant to the social sustainability of perennial and continuous living cover (CLC) cropping systems.
• Contribute expertise in community engagement methodologies with farmers and supply chain partners using participatory action research principles.
• Contribute to the praxis of value chain coordination and scaling by integrating current academic discourse into applied projects.
• Serve as a resource on human subjects research processes and social data management in social science research.

Social Frameworks, Policy & Program Integration - 20%

• Establish and advance social principles and criteria for Forever Green Initiative crop development, value chain coordination, and final products, including embedding these principles into team and community processes.
• Bring a social lens and expertise to program and policy analysis, partnership mapping and development, and equity and inclusion initiatives.
• Collaborate with project researchers and participants to identify and address barriers to diverse, equitable, and inclusive participation in emerging supply chains and broader networks.

Partnership Engagement & Value Chain Collaboration - 15%

• Communicate and collaborate with partners on the social dimensions and impacts of CLC agriculture.
• Serve as liaison between UMN and external partners on social aspects of perennial agriculture.
• Support coordination and relationship-building efforts that strengthen value chain development and stakeholder engagement.

Scholarly Writing & Grant Development - 25%

• Develop reports and scholarly manuscripts.
• Lead and contribute to grant writing focused on social dimensions, participatory action research, and related collaborative initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in social science field or interdisciplinary studies related to social sustainability with 1 or more years of research experience
• Experience with leading, developing, and conducting research, using social science methodologies, such as participatory action research, surveys, focus groups, and interviews
• Excellent communication, organization, and collaboration skills
• Experienced in identifying and addressing barriers to diverse, equitable, and inclusive participation in research & development processes and in agriculture industry & value chain organizations
• Experience working in interdisciplinary collaborations with natural scientists and practitioners on agricultural and environmental research and applied topics and/or advanced degree (M.S. or higher) in an ecological, environmental, or agricultural science field
• Strong publication record

Preferred:

• Ph.D.
• Working knowledge of U.S. perennial and regenerative agriculture and value chains
• Established or emerging interest in evaluation methodologies, such as developmental evaluation
• Experience and expertise to advise graduate and undergraduate students undertaking social science or participatory action research projects, including serving as mentor, committee member, or co-supervisor

The Forever Green Initiative is a research platform in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota. Leadership is housed in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics.

Forever Green Partnership
Forever Green is a public/private/NGO partnership working to develop a set of crops and cropping systems that provide continuous living crop cover across agricultural landscapes, to enhance sustainability of Midwest agriculture.

Pay Range: $88,500 - $93,000 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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