ICT as an enabler of sustainable farming: An empirical study of the influences on farmers’ technology adoption decisions

Post summary

The DEMETER Project is a large-scale deployment of farmer centric interoperable smart farming ICT based platforms delivered through a series of 20 pilots across 18 countries (15 States in the EU). Involving 60 partners, DEMETER adopts a multi-actor approach across the value chain (demand and supply). The key challenge for the farmer is how to address evolving market needs, and the DEMETER project provides a unique opportunity to assess how cutting-edge ICT technologies can be optimised to this purpose. This is an exciting opportunity to apply for a fully funded doctoral scholarship attached to the DEMETER project.
Applications are invited for a motivated student to investigate the factors influencing farmer engagement with, and adoption of, emerging agricultural ICTs. The proposed PhD research is a multidisciplinary effort to bring advances to the field of psychology, marketing, technology, and entrepreneurship. The student will acquire knowledge and experience in research project management, communication, time planning, networking etc through their participation in a large-scale EU wide research study. The PhD student also has the possibility of travelling for research collaboration in Europe. While this post is in the School of Business, the student will be located in the TSSG’s (http://www.tssg.org) NetLabs building. TSSG is WIT’s largest research group with more than 80 full time researchers. The student will be provided with a dedicated desk space and internet access and will be located with other PhD researchers. Additionally, as the DEMETER project (which is funding this research) is coordinated by TSSG, the candidate will have direct access to the project coordinator (Kevin Doolin, Director of Innovation) and the DEMETER project partners.

Standard duties and responsibilities of the scholarship

This is a 42-month, full-time scholarship. The successful candidate will be required to:
Advance progress and complete her/his research study within an agreed time period
• Maintain a professional relationship at all time with the supervisory team and other staff in TSSG and the School of Business
• Follow the plan of study and research as agreed with supervisory team
• Maintain regular contact with the supervisory team and the Demeter project coordinator
• Document the progress of work as agreed with the supervisory team and present written or other material as requested and on time
• Develop a training plan in consultation with the supervisory team and revise the training plan as appropriate
• Undertake appropriate skills and career development training in accordance with the training plan
• Undertake two hours of academic development activities per week during the academic year, including enrolment on the WIT structured PhD generic modules
• Maintain a record of completed skills and career development activities
• Disseminate research findings through presentation at national and international conferences and by submission of research articles to peer reviewed academic journals
• Engage, as required, with TSSG and other European partners on the DEMETER project. This may involve presentations to stakeholder groups in Ireland and Brussels.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Applicants should hold or expect to attain (by September 2019), as a minimum, a 2:1 honours Master’s degree in business or related discipline
• Successful completion of modules in research methods at undergraduate level or higher.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Strong motivation to work and learn within multi-disciplinary research settings
Desirable
• Research thesis experience
• Experience in project management, and stakeholder briefing/communication
• Knowledge of statistical analysis using appropriate software

Skills & Competencies

Essential

• Very strong interpersonal skills
• Very high level of academic writing
• Motivational skills
• Personal organisational skills
• Ability to work as part of a larger team
• Good time management
• Very strong communication skills
• Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see WIT’s English Language Requirements for details.

Desirable

• Research skills ability (quantitative and qualitative)
• Project management and administration skills

Application procedure

Download the Research Postgraduate Application Form and return completed applications to [Email Address Removed], quoting WD_2019_28 in the email subject line. Please note that paper submissions will not be accepted

Commencement date - 2nd September 2019. Please note that the successful applicant should ideally be available to start on this date. International applicants who require a permit to study in Ireland should also note the implications for visa planning.