Postdoctoral Fellow – AI Development for Climate-Smart Agriculture

Dalhousie University’s Mooanalytica Research Group of the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Computer Science is offering an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join a project focused on helping Canada's agricultural sector achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and develop AI based solutions for improving animal welfare. The main project involves developing and adapting Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to optimize sustainable farming practices. These tools will be customized to suit the diverse environmental and agricultural conditions of Atlantic Canada, providing real-time decision support for farmers. The role will also involve collecting data through surveys, questionnaires, and fieldwork with farmers to gather insights on emissions, resource use, and biodiversity. This is an interdisciplinary project that combines agricultural sciences, environmental sustainability, and AI technologies to promote climate-smart farming in the region. The postdoc will also be involved in other projects related to AI-enabled computer vision techniques and data analytics for improving animal welfare. Key Responsibilities Develop and adapt AI tools for real-time decision-making in agricultural management, focusing on sustainability and GHG emissions reduction. Customize the tools to fit the environmental and agricultural conditions of Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada. Lead the collection of data from farmers through surveys, questionnaires, and fieldwork to assess emissions, biodiversity, water use, and other sustainability metrics. Conduct feasibility studies and analyze data to evaluate the performance of AI tools in diverse farming contexts. Design and develop user-friendly dashboards that provide actionable insights for farmers and stakeholders. Collaborate with farmers and agricultural stakeholders to gather feedback and provide training on the use of AI tools. Prepare executive reports, scientific papers, and presentations to communicate findings to policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the academic community. Regularly monitor and improve the AI tools based on real-world data and user feedback. Required Expertise and Qualifications PhD in a relevant field (e.g., Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Computer Science, AI, Data Science, or a related discipline). Expertise in machine learning and artificial intelligence, with experience in algorithm development and real-time decision support systems. Proficiency in Python and experience in dashboard development (e.g., Dash or similar platforms). Strong skills in data analytics and experience in survey and questionnaire design for data collection from diverse stakeholders. Experience in collaborating with farmers and conducting fieldwork in agricultural settings. Ability to communicate complex AI solutions to non-expert audiences and develop reports for stakeholders. Familiarity with GHG emissions, sustainability practices, and farm management systems is highly desirable. Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Terms of Employment Duration: 18 months, with potential for extension based on project needs and funding availability. Compensation: Competitive salary in line with postdoctoral positions at Dalhousie University. Location: Based at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Agriculture in Truro or at Halifax, Nova Scotia, with fieldwork across Atlantic Canada.