Postdoctoral Position in IoT and AI for Postharvest Management in Agri-food Systems

The Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, under the leadership of Professor Antonio Javier García Sánchez, is offering a postdoctoral position as part of the MSCA-COFUND AgriFoodTECH programme. This opportunity is focused on innovative research in postharvest management of fresh produce, leveraging IoT and AI-enabled, data-driven approaches to address critical challenges in agri-food supply chains. The research aims to improve understanding of quality evolution, deterioration mechanisms, and strategies to reduce food losses in perishable fruits and vegetables. The project is highly interdisciplinary, welcoming candidates from fields such as postharvest biology, food technology, data science, computer science, and telecommunication engineering. The research will explore how digital sensing and monitoring can capture environmental and physiological data relevant to postharvest quality, and how data-driven and AI-based modelling can represent product quality and shelf-life dynamics under varying conditions. The ultimate goal is to contribute to more sustainable and resilient food supply chains by integrating digital technologies and advanced analytics into postharvest management. Applicants should be passionate about applied research at the intersection of digital technologies and agri-food systems. Experience in postharvest quality, food losses, digitalization in agri-food, data analysis, or modelling is considered an asset. The position offers the chance to join an international and interdisciplinary research environment, contributing to scientific understanding and practical solutions for food loss reduction and supply chain optimization. Funding is provided through the MSCA-COFUND AgriFoodTECH programme, though specific financial details are not disclosed in the announcement. Interested candidates should review the full call details and application instructions at the provided AgriFoodTECH website link. The supervisors for this position are Professor Antonio Javier García Sánchez (Principal supervisor) and Encarna Aguayo Giménez (Co-supervisor), both affiliated with the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena in Spain. For more information and to apply, visit the AgriFoodTECH programme website. This is a unique opportunity for postdoctoral researchers to advance their careers in a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary field with significant real-world impact.