Position Title: Postdoctoral Researcher
Responsibilities: The Food Connection @ UK (TFC) is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to conduct applied research on value chain coordination (VCC) in local and regional food systems. This is a unique and high-impact postdoctoral researcher position, created in partnership with TFC, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Local and Regional Foods Division (LRFD), and the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD). The postdoctoral researcher will lead a novel multi-institution research initiative that results in scholarly publications, stakeholder-facing technical assistance resources, and policy recommendations at the local, regional, and national scale.
The postdoctoral researcher will conduct primary research in VCC, working with TFC and USDA AMS LRFD project partners. Additionally, serving as an associate editor of JAFSCD, the postdoctoral researcher will facilitate a scholarly community in VCC work by managing a program of VCC Briefs to be published in JAFSCD by a wide range of researchers and practitioners. This applied research and leadership in the synthesis and curation of cutting edge VCC literature will inform the development of policy recommendations to guide integration of VCC work into the institutional fabric of local food systems in Kentucky. Finally, integrated into USDA LRFD’s national programs, they will work with USDA and other partners to develop technical assistance and outreach resources to support VCC initiatives nationwide.
The position is based in Lexington, Kentucky, and they will work under the supervision of TFC Faculty Chair Dr. Krista Jacobsen. While based at and employed by University of Kentucky, the researcher will simultaneously hold the role of Social Science Researcher on detail with the USDA AMS LRFD and work jointly between the teams to achieve the program goals. This is a two-year position, beginning February 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.
About USDA Local and Regional Foods Division: The Local and Regional Foods Division works to improve market access for producers and develop new markets through its three main roles as a researcher, a convener, and a technical assistance provider. In the USDA vision, local food producers, markets, and communities have easy access to ideas, innovations, and research in order to grow and sustain a productive business. This information ensures that opportunities for U.S. food producers are readily available and communities are equipped to successfully grow and sell regionally produced foods, while also supporting increased access to locally produced foods.
About the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development: The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD) is a transdisciplinary applied research journal focused on food- and farming-related community development. JAFSCD’s topical purview ranges from production and value chains to equitable food distribution, food sovereignty, health and well-being, and waste and circularity. JAFSCD emphasizes best practices and tools related to the planning, community economic development, and ecological protection of local and regional agriculture and food systems, and works to bridge the interests of practitioners and academics.
About The Food Connection @ UK: The Food Connection at the University of Kentucky is a national award-winning local food systems institute housed within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. We work at the forefront of public and private efforts to grow sustainable food systems, including our work with UK Dining to build farm-to-campus supply chains that support Kentucky growers and provide delicious, healthful food to our campus community and beyond. In support of the farm-to-campus value chain, we collaborate with on- and off-campus partners to develop farm-to-institution supply chains and promote the many values that come from vibrant regional food economies. We also bring Kentucky food and foodways to life in our beautiful Learning Kitchen through hands-on cooking classes, guest chefs, and culinary and educational events. Food Connection-supported research initiatives focus on scaling up local food production for wholesale and institutional markets, and ways to best support farmers by connecting them with consumers in direct, wholesale, and institutional supply chains. Our goal is a vibrant and sustainable Kentucky farm and food economy, and we are seeking a new director to provide leadership to our center and our dynamic team of chefs, Extension associates, faculty, and student workers and scholars.
Qualifications: A PhD degree in food systems, agricultural economics, rural sociology, sustainable agriculture, or a closely related field is preferred. The individual should demonstrate an ability to work with diverse audiences in academic and broader communities, scholarly independence, organizational and group facilitation capacity, and a demonstrated enthusiasm for local and regional food systems. The candidate must be a U.S. citizen.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Location: University of Kentucky, Lexington Campus, Lexington, Kentucky, with travel to Washington, DC, and locally as needed.
Salary and Fringe Benefits: Salary is open and competitive. This position has benefits and includes a 403(b) retirement plan as well as group health and life insurance.
Application: Materials may be submitted online at https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/563909 and will be reviewed beginning February 11, 2025. Applicants should submit a cover letter and curriculum vita (résumé).
Contact: Dr. Krista Jacobsen, Faculty Chair
The Food Connection, 440 Hilltop Avenue, Lexington, KY 40506
(859) 257-3921, krista.jacobsen@uky.edu
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The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development is published by the Thomas A. Lyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food Systems, a project of the Center for Transformative Action (a nonprofit affiliate of Cornell University). JAFSCD is published with the support of our organizational and library shareholders, and our annual partners:
