Anglia Ruskin University Peterborough campus is a new, modern, purpose-built university offering a range of higher education and professional development courses in Peterborough. Named University of the Year at this year's Social Mobility Awards, recognising ARU Peterborough's role in advancing social mobility across the city and wider region.
ARU Peterborough houses the Faculty of Engineering, AgriTech and Environment which carries out research into the impacts of agriculture on climate and the environment. This includes studies of circularity and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from agriculture. MIRICO leads the way in high performance gas sensing intelligence using unique Laser Dispersion Spectroscopy (LDS) in any weather conditions to transform productivity and deliver a positive impact on the environment.
Located in a brand-new, purpose-built facility on the Harwell Science & Innovation Campus near Oxford, UK, MIRICO is a spin out from the Laser Spectroscopy Group at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. The company was established in December 2015. MIRICO’s specialist team of experts are actively designing and developing LDS to set new standards for gas sensing in challenging measurement conditions for targeted applications.
Mirico has unique Laser Dispersion Spectrometry (LDS) technology which accurately measures greenhouse gas emissions across wide areas, with extremely high sensitivity and in all weathers. A successfully completed Farming Innovation Pathway feasibility study (funded by Innovate UK) showed that the technology was highly suitable for use in agricultural environments, extending the measurement capability to include nitrous oxide. The outcome of the project highlighted the area for development was in interpretation of the data to generate insight for farmers. This project will develop and validate algorithms for interpreting GHG measurements from agricultural sources. Both nitrous oxide and methane are very difficult to measure accurately under real farm conditions and at scale, resulting in an" information gap" for use by all stakeholders. Both farmers and government need reliable data to understand where emissions are coming from and how to mitigate them
As part of the project the Faculty of Engineering, AgriTech and Environment are seeking to employ a part-time postdoctoral researcher to develop methodologies and data analytics to understand the conditions under which GHGs are released from agricultural systems. You will contribute to research addressing how land use and management, can contribute to the mitigation and capture of greenhouse gases to help reduce future climate change. In this role you will generate a deeper understanding around how soil chemistry and the soil environment leads to the generation of greenhouse gases from agricultural systems.
Dates: 1/11/24 - 30/4/25
Times & Location: 21hrs per week. Working hours are flexible and remote with onsite meetings in Peterborough
Pay rate: £20.00 per hour
Job Description and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will demonstrate a balance between fundamental knowledge, the sensing and interpretation of GHG emissions using the MIRICO sensor and the presentation of results to non-technical audiences. This will enhance understanding of the factors leading to GHG emissions within the wider farming community.
The candidate will also develop, technical and instrumentation skills that will allow the deployment of MIRICO’s technology in a practical and efficient way.
This role will contribute to a net zero focussed project, feeding into research funded by Innovate, UK, with the potential to deploy the skills and techniques developed with other environmental projects. You will contribute to data synthesis and analysis for commercial reports and peer-reviewed publications.
Qualifications and Experience
- A PhD or post graduate qualification and equivalent work experience in some aspect of soil chemistry, biogeochemistry or environmental chemistry.
- Experience in social engagement and explaining science to non-technical groups in the areas of food or farming.
- An understanding of farming systems
Required Skills
- An ability to self-motivate, plan research, and organise workflow.
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills, with an inclusive and collaborative approach.
- An ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical personnel.
- Data management, numerical analysis skills, and the use of statistical packages.
- A knowledge of soil biochemical systems relating to Nitrogen and Carbon cycling.
Desirable Skills: Knowledge or experience of process based GHG models or life cycle GHG accounting tools.
Please apply online with an up-to-date CV and a covering letter that demonstrates your suitability.
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