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Experimental Smart Farm Academic Coordinator
Position overview
Position title: Experimental Smart Farm Academic CoordinatorApplication Window
Open date: August 12, 2024
Next review date: Thursday, Dec 5, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Aug 8, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The UC Merced Experimental Smart Farm (ESF) is a foundational implementation of the University of California Agricultural Experiment Station. The ESF integrates cutting-edge technologies in agriculture, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, drones, and AI, with sustainable agricultural practices. Serving as a model for scalable and replicable farming solutions, ESF focuses on three core pillars: Research, Education, and Extension. It aims to facilitate interdisciplinary research, provide educational opportunities, and extend the benefits of innovation to marginalized communities through inclusive innovation.
Primary Research Objectives: The ESF aims to create a convergence hub integrating advanced technologies like IoT, robotics, drones, and AI with sustainable agricultural practices. It addresses the intertwined challenges of food, energy, and water systems (FEWS) in the context of climate change and environmental justice. Research at ESF is multi-disciplinary, focusing on climate resilience, environmental sustainability, tech solutions for small farms, and the future of work in agriculture. Through continuous monitoring and data-driven approaches, ESF advances research in technology and automation, water management, soil quality, and nutrient management.
Inaugural Research Areas:
· Monitoring and Modeling: Continuous monitoring of environmental conditions, agricultural inputs and outputs, water and energy states, and human and machine work. Integration of these observations for whole-farm behavior assessment.
· Agroecology: Research on farm boundaries and interfaces with natural and engineered landscapes, including pollinator habitat, evapotranspiration, and biodiversity.
· Future of Work: Connecting smart technology and data fusion to critical job skills and future workforce structure, creating a knowledge and skill supply chain model.
Inclusive Innovation:
ESF focuses on high-tech and affordable, appropriately scaled solutions accessible to the community. It engages with diverse partners, including small-to-medium farm producers, to co-develop sectoral innovations that are accessible and inclusive. Through entities like VISTA F3, ESF facilitates cluster development and joint farmer-academic research, reflecting the diversity of its partners. It also focuses on talent development, ensuring all communities can participate in the opportunities it creates.
Inclusive Innovation in Practice:
· Diverse Partnerships: Embracing the diversity of over 4,500 small-to-medium farm producers in the region to identify food system challenges and solutions. These practitioners are early adopters of sustainable and regenerative practices, fill critical gaps in food security, provide regional jobs, and are embedded in the local economy.
· Cluster Building and Innovation Capacity: Collaborating with VISTA F3 to facilitate joint farmer-academic research and advance educational, scientific, and economic development goals to improve the quality of life in Central Valley communities.
· Talent Development: Using ESF to foster student engagement relevant to the broader mission of training future leaders.
· Cooperative Extension: As a testbed within UC Merced’s Agricultural Experiment Station, the ESF facilitates collaborative applied research with the University of California Cooperative Extension, including statewide specialists and local area advisors.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Research Project Coordination: Under the faculty director, the ESF Research Coordinator will facilitate the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of ESF research activities:
· Coordinate and support field activities for research and other academic projects at ESF and AES affiliated facilities.
· Coordinate ESF research at partnering test beds, including UC ANR Research and Extension Centers and other AES campuses.
· Develop baseline and long-term experiments to improve agroecological sustainability.
· Promote "inclusive innovation" to ensure the project's benefits reach marginalized communities.
· Improve opportunities for research associates and partners to develop projects enhancing agronomic, social, and environmental outcomes.
· Develop and implement processes and protocols for efficient and safe research activities.
· Track and monitor all active research projects within the ESF portfolio and their annual outputs (e.g., funded research projects, published papers, project outcomes).
· Oversee maintenance, repair and upgrading of research equipment to ensure it remains in optimal working condition.
· Conduct ongoing needs assessments on researcher requirements for tools, equipment, and technology.
· Provide annual indicators of ESF Research program performance to support grant applications and reporting.
· Report metrics on ESF usage, research feedback, best practices and lessons learned for continuous improvement.
· Maintain the ESF data infrastructure and ensure access for researchers.
· Work with faculty director and farm coordinator to track the program’s budget and utilize financial resources efficiently.
Knowledge Mobilization:
· Facilitate strategic linkages between academic initiatives, industry, and community partnerships under the guidance of the faculty director.
· Oversee the collection, sharing, and promotion of ESF research activities to international, regional, and local communities through online databases, websites, social media platforms, and outreach events.
· Support the establishment of a network of on-farm trials to develop, contextualize, and promote agroecological research.
· Collaborate with AES associates and ESF affiliates to support the development of peer-reviewed publications.
· Develop and conduct training programs for researchers on the safe and effective use of AES equipment.
· Create educational materials and resources to guide researchers on best practices for use of the equipment and other farming practices as needed.
· Collaborate with AES affiliates, UC ANR academics, farmers, agricultural organizations, and partner organizations to identify research needs and opportunities for co-development of knowledge.
· Collaborate with similar initiatives to share knowledge and experiences.
Administration and Facilitation of Special Research Projects:
· Support the development of new research test beds and Long-Term Agroecological Research through grant writing, academic and research planning, strategic budget planning, and securing financial and operational investment.
· Oversee part-time students in securing, organizing, storing, and sharing research and operational data.
· Provide special project assistance (e.g., revising site use, site orientation, and service rates) and other duties as necessary.
· Stay informed of legal, liability, and safety compliance for equipment including waivers and EH&S training for staff.
· Develop standard operating procedures for equipment use safety, cleaning, and storage and training on these topics.
· Supervise technicians, students, and volunteers as needed to meet AES objectives.
Qualifications
A minimum of a Master's degree in an appropriate field such as agricultural engineering, agricultural business, production systems, crop management, plant science, industrial technology, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.
Minimum and Required Qualifications
· Strong organizational and communication skills with proven ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effective, and meet deadlines, as well as exceptional attention to details.
· Experience in program design, implementation, and management, preferably in an agricultural context.
· Demonstrated experience in planning, coordinating, and delivering research programs, particularly in the agricultural section and ability to assess the training needs of diverse audiences, including farmers, staff and partner organizations.
· Skilled at complex problem solving and competent with online tools for data collection, tracking and collaboration.
· This is not a remote position. The candidate must be available to be on-site. In accordance with UC Merced guidelines, flexible work agreements are available upon approval by supervisors and periodic re-evaluation.
· Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed. Must possess a valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle.
· This is an exempt position, with occasional alternate work schedules including travel and weekend work requirements.
· Working conditions can be arduous under prolonged hot and cold temperatures.
Technical Competence and Impact
· Ability to provide equipment and technology training to farmers and educate on the proper use and safety of equipment and technology as needed.
· Collaboration with UCCE staff to identify new technologies and practices and develop training, seek out funding opportunities. and transfer knowledge.
· Ability to maintain a keen understanding of emerging tools, systems, and approaches that can enhance farm productivity and sustainability and promote the adoption of sustainable and efficient farming methods.
Communication
· Demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
· Ability to communicate and coordinate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
· Demonstrated ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience.
Collaboration, Teamwork and Flexibility
· Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with university staff, partner organizations, industry, and other stakeholders.
· Able to adapt as circumstances warrant.
· Aware and willing to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
· Ability to shift program focus as times, organizational, and stakeholder needs change.
Lifelong Learning
· Demonstrated commitment to ongoing self-improvement.
· Participate in professional organizations, agencies, non-governmental organizations and others by providing information and leadership.
· Maintain a program of continuous self-improvement by participating in, in-service training, seminars, workshops, work group & program team meetings, short courses, professional society meetings and other relevant opportunities.
· Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills and the ability to work. independently and as part of a team in a complex and fast-paced environment.
· Experience in research management and familiarity with the latest agricultural technologies and tools is beneficial to small-scale farming.
· Proven ability to work collaboratively and engage with researchers, farmers and community partners to understand their needs and challenges.
· Knowledge of research safety compliance, and ability to work safely with a variety of large equipment.
· Experience in developing and implementing fundraising strategies to sustain and expand grant funded initiatives.
· Proficiency in one or more relevant languages in addition to English, such as Spanish.
· Administration experience within a university, agency, or similar institutional environment.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
- 3 required (contact information only)
Please list three names of potential references and contact information.
Help contact: thankston2@ucmerced.edu
About UC Merced
The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system’s 10 campuses. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (https://cie.ucmerced.edu/analytics-hub/student-statistics), UC Merced is committed to interdisciplinary excellence in research and teaching as well as to diversity, equity and inclusion. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced provides outstanding educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California. The Merced 2020 Project doubled the physical capacity of the campus, and enhanced academic distinction, student success, and research excellence (https://merced2020.ucmerced.edu/).
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.
Please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy.