Research Pro - Agronomy & Plant Genetics

Research Pro 5 - Agronomy & Plant Genetics

Role:
Developing sustainable supply chains for perennial crops is a complex, uncertain task and effective models to meet this challenge have not yet been established. The research will focus on social learning, goal setting, and collective action to realize sustainable supply chains for perennial and continuous living cover (CLC) crops such as Kernza Perennial Grain, Winter Camelina, and Hazelnuts.

Physical location is flexible, with the understanding that travel to The University of Minnesota (UMN) and sites around Minnesota and/or the Upper Midwest will be required.

We are looking for a proactive, dynamic Researcher to study social aspects of sustainability in value chains for novel crops that provide continuous living crop cover in agricultural landscapes, and help publicize and implement results. The ideal candidate will have experience and interest in developing and conducting innovative social science research; an established or emerging focus on perennial and continuous living cover agriculture, rural livelihoods, social sustainability, economic sociology, and/or value chains;

excellent collaboration and facilitation skills; and experience identifying and addressing barriers to diverse, equitable, and inclusive participation in agricultural or economic development processes.

The Researcher will engage with a multi-scale, evolving collaborative network through projects based at UMN, primarily collaborating with co-PIs at UMN, including through Kernza

CAP and the Forever Green Initiative.

Develop sustainable supply chains for perennial crops by conducting research into social processes relevant to research, development, adoption, scaling, commercialization, and partnerships. Activities include participatory action research, interviews, planning group meetings, engagement with diverse farming communities, and social sustainability evaluations of cropping systems and value chains.

• Lead, design, and implement research projects applying innovative social science methodologies.
• Contribute expertise in community engagement methodologies with farmers and supply chain partners.
• Contribute to the praxis of value chain coordination and scaling.
• Serve as a resource on human subjects research processes and social data management.

• Establish and advance social principles and criteria for crop development, value chain coordination, and final products.
• Bring a social lens to program and policy analysis, partnership mapping, and equity and inclusion initiatives.
• Collaborate with project researchers and participants to address barriers to diverse participation.

• Communicate and collaborate with partners on social dimensions and impacts of CLC agriculture.
• Serve as liaison between UMN and external partners on social aspects of perennial agriculture.
• Support coordination and relationship‑building efforts that strengthen value chain development and stakeholder engagement.

• Develop reports and scholarly manuscripts.
• Lead and contribute to grant writing focused on social dimensions, participatory action research, and collaborative initiatives.

• Advanced degree in social science field or related interdisciplinary studies, with at least 1 year of research experience.
• Experience leading and conducting research using participatory action research, surveys, focus groups, and interviews.
• Excellent communication, organization, and collaboration skills.
• Experienced in identifying and addressing barriers to diverse, equitable, and inclusive participation in research and industry value chains.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary collaborations with natural scientists and practitioners on agricultural and environmental research.
• Strong publication record.

• Ph.D.
• Working knowledge of U.S. perennial and regenerative agriculture and value chains.
• Established or emerging interest in evaluation methodologies such as…