Research Chair in Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science

UKUDLA Objectives & Role Clarification of the Research Chair

In the framework of a project focused on Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems and Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science, the University of the Western Cape (Cape Town, South Africa) is seeking to appoint a Research Chair at the level of Associate Professor/Professor, starting from 1 September 2025. The Chair is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

A key component of this project is the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at the University of the Western Cape, dedicated to sustainable and resilient agri-food systems, as well as applied agricultural and food and nutritional data science. The centre’s primary objective is to further develop the expertise of doctoral students, early-career researchers, and university lecturers through application-oriented and transdisciplinary research in agri-food systems and applied data science. It also aims to enhance teaching methodologies and mentorship programmes within these interdisciplinary fields. 

The Centre is established within a German-African university consortium, co-led by the University of Hohenheim (Germany) and the University of the Western Cape, with the University of Pretoria and the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Malawi) as core partners and the University of Mpumalanga as associate partner.

Within the Centre, a Research Chair is created to advance the linkage between agri-food systems research and data science. The Research Chair will, together with the management team, lead and coordinate the activities of the Centre, and serve as a liaison between the Centre and the research groups at the partnering institutions (including the NRF-funded Research Chair on farming systems at the University of Mpumalanga). The duration of the contract position is tied to the project’s duration which ends December 2029. The position is financed by the DAAD with funds from the BMFTR, reporting directly to the Deputy Vice Chancellor responsible for Research and Innovation at the University of the Western Cape. 

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key performance areas:

• Establish and advance an independent research agenda aligned with the Centre’s research themes;
• Strengthen the research profile of the Centre via active participation, postdoctoral and PhD supervision, publications, and innovative contributions;
• Facilitate learning events affiliated to resilient food systems and agri-food data sciences;
• Spearhead the liaison between the Centre and the research groups at the partnering institutions in the consortium with the aim of deepening the synergistic relationships and creating possibilities for creating new opportunities and channels of funding;
• Work with the eResearch Office, the Information and Communication Services (ICS) on Research Data Management (RDM) and High Performance Computing issues related to agri-food systems;
• Facilitate research grants and learning and/or teaching stays for German doctoral students, university lecturers and (young) researchers in South Africa;
• Facilitate regular webinars and seminars on Resilient Food Systems and Agri-Food Data Science;
• Develop mechanisms for long term sustainability of the Centre of Excellence;
• Work with relevant departments on the establishment of  agri-food data science short courses for the industry.

Minimum Requirements

• You must be a citizen of an EU member state.
• Applicants (m/f/d) should generally have lived in the Federal Republic of Germany for the last two years before applying. Close contact with a German university is also essential during the period abroad.
• Possession of a Ph.D. in one of the following fields: Data Science, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Food Systems/Agriculture with a demonstrated expertise in Data Science applications.
• Experience in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate data science courses at a German University.
• A track record of quality peer-reviewed publications in accredited journals and conferences, and research in data science, preferably in the context of Agri-food Systems.
• A track record of successful postgraduate supervision of both Masters and PhD students in Data Science and/or Agri-food Systems.
• Evidence of  international presence in data science related research fields.
• Evidence of leadership experience and ability to work in multinational and multicultural research environments.

The following documents must be submitted with the application:

• a cover letter outlining your interest.
• a separate description of your research vision for the Centre of Excellence.
• a curriculum vitae including a list of publications.
• contact information for three referees.
• a brief teaching dossier, preferably on data science and food systems related modules including teaching evaluations.

In your application, you are encouraged to highlight your strengths and include anything else you deem exceptional and outstanding to be considered by the selection panel. In addition, please attach a cover letter motivating your suitability, a detailed curriculum vitae including contact details of three referees, and your highest qualification to your online profile.

DISCLAIMER: By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with University stakeholders to process the application. In line with the University’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.

Deadline

The deadline for applications is 22 June 2025.

Contact and email address for queries

Application via the link available here.

For further information see also:

https://uwc.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/2034/0

https://ukudla.uni-hohenheim.de/en

Any questions or queries can be directed by e-mail to ukudla@uni-hohenheim.de