Head of Smart Farming & Digital Technologies Research Group

About the role

Agroscope, the Swiss federal centre of excellence for research in agriculture and food, is looking for a Head of its Digital Production Research Group, based in Ettenhausen with the option of working from home. The group uses information and communication technologies to improve the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production systems, with core competencies in computer vision, data analysis and modelling.

Key responsibilities

• Lead a diverse, motivated team and organise the research activities of the Digital Production Group in line with Agroscope strategy
• Develop added-value solutions for field, barn and farm management using digital technologies
• Implement research projects with partners from science, agricultural practice and the Federal Administration, including at Agroscope's experimental stations
• Cultivate scientific partnerships at national and international level and acquire projects
• Refine the group's digital methodological competence, such as algorithms for computer vision, IoT and AI
• Ensure research quality and publish results in specialist journals as well as in factsheets and reports for practitioners and the Federal Administration

Required profile

• Dissertation on digitalisation and data sciences, ideally in agriculture and food
• Strong understanding of digitalisation for assessing technical approaches and designing decision support tools
• Experience implementing digital technologies such as data-based modelling, computer vision and IoT
• Leadership experience, strong problem-solving skills, creativity and communication skills
• Knowledge of two official Swiss languages and English