The ASPIRE Research Institute for Food Security in the Drylands, ARIFSID, is seeking to hire an ambitious young researcher in the field of urban horticulture, with special emphasis on woody plants and agroforestry. ARIFSID provides an international platform for interdisciplinary research and education that generates and disseminates knowledge and technological innovation in support of food security in the UAE and other arid environments around the world. It aims to become a global leader in the provision of innovative technologies and management concepts that support the sustainability, safety, and resilience of food supply systems in the worlds arid ecological zones. As part of its research program, the ARIFSID strives to develop innovative urban farming and landscaping concepts that are sustainable, functional, and resilient to climate change. The successful candidate is expected to support this research by conducting experiments on seed germination, soil amendment with water-saving compounds, and testing different stress-tolerant woody plant species for their ability to provide public urban greenery, shading for herbaceous plants, animal feed, human food, or medicinal compounds at high water use efficiency. The research should ultimately lead to resilient urban farming concepts, based on or involving woody plants and agroforestry.Minimum QualificationThe candidate is expected to have a Ph.D. in horticulture, agriculture, agroforestry, plant physiology, or a closely related discipline. Previous post-doctoral employment will be an asset. Experience with the planning and conducting of agricultural field and greenhouse experiments in the greenhouse and field is of advantage. The successful candidate should have experience with research on multi-purpose trees, grasses, urban agriculture, feed scaping, and agroforestry, which is of great advantage. The successful candidate should have a good command of AutoCAD, SCADA, and cloud-based agriculture software and be able to independently conduct standard plant and soil analyses in our laboratories. The postdoc should be well versed in excellent English language skills (written and spoken), and readiness to work in an interdisciplinary and international team are prerequisites.Preferred Qualification

United Arab Emirates University