Researcher – India Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain

Result of Service

• State-of-the-art applied technology research across key pillars of sustainable, equitable and resilient cold chain for food and pharma products is conducted. • India CoE campus facilities are built out and developed, including the innovation and business hub and the technology testing/demonstration centre. • Priority partners remain well informed and bought-in to the CoE with meaningful contributions of cash and/or in-kind support for its continued growth.

Work Location

Haryana, India (Chandigarh/Panchkula)

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Haryana-UK Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-Harvest Management and Cold Chain (CoE-SPMCC) is being established in Panchkula, Haryana, India. It is being jointly implemented by the Government of Haryana, UNEP United for Efficiency (U4E), the Centre for Sustainable Cooling (CSC) led by University of Birmingham in collaboration with fellow leading universities, and the UK Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra). A related CoE is being explored in Telangana, India. The aim is to foster adoption of sustainable cold chain solutions for food and pharma security and economic growth, including modal shifts, use of data, demonstration, delivery (including knowledge transfer) and skills capacity. The Haryana CoE will specifically: • Conduct state-of-the-art applied research across key pillars of sustainable, equitable and resilient cold chain for food and pharma products. • Provide capacity building, upskilling, and training for farmer producer organizations and mobilisers and other supply chain stakeholders including, among others, agri-startups and entrepreneurs, equipment technicians and researchers. • Develop both an innovation and business hub and technology testing/demonstration centre. • Connect indigenous and the UK (and wider industrial) experts, investors, agri-food businesses, farmer cooperatives, and energy or logistics providers, to support the delivery of affordable, resilient, low emission cold-chain systems in India in line with socio-economic and climate targets/national objectives. With the funding and government and key partner support in place, we are now looking for a motivated early career academic of the highest quality to join the India office of a global team as we move to the detailed development of the Haryana – UK Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Postharvest Management and Cold-chain based in Panchkula, Haryana. Scheduled to be open in 2026, this first of a kind centre will simultaneously reduce post-harvest losses, economically enhance farmers, build resilience whilst minimising environmental impact. As a key member of the technology research team, you will help assess the present needs and prepare for the future requirements of a sustainable and resilient cold-chain. This will require a comprehensive and state of the art research and cold-chain design; energy transition and the development of novel solutions, and demonstration of the best available technology. Working with a global partnership of leading academics providing technical assistance, you will conduct and facilitate world-leading research and development and help enhance capacity of stakeholders including Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and others. Key research areas include: • Understanding cold chain needs for food and pharma products out to 2050, and the associated technology and energy requirements. • Exploring system approaches on how to use (and mitigate the need for), make, store, move, manage, finance, and regulate “cold” to meet cold chain needs equitably and sustainably. • Market assessment of cold chain in India including the state of research, standard and protocols, policy study, technology availability and challenges among others. Identifying available fit-for-purpose cold-chain technologies and solutions in market. • Identifying barriers for uptake and implementation (e.g., supporting infrastructure, skills and capacity) of cold-chain. • Assist in developing fit-for-market business models and finance mechanisms. • Assist in providing training and support to FPOs and farmer communities.

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced engineering degree (refrigeration, thermal, mechanical or similar) Masters or equivalent additional experience in a relevant discipline and deep understanding of sustainable temperature-controlled supply chain (food and/or vaccines) and their economics. Doctoral degree in the field of refrigeration, air-conditioning or cooling is an asset. Extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of refrigeration and cold chain technology, including experience in design and implementation of cold-chain solutions. Previous cold chain centre of excellence experience is an asset. Proven experience in research (e.g., doctoral level qualifications, research work or in-field activities). High level analytical capability, experienced in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Proven ability to work both under guidance as part of a team, but also independently. Experience in public engagement and workshop organisation with high level policymakers and stakeholders, and ability to communicate complex information clearly. An understanding of a range of influences from business drivers to cultural context and appreciation of whole systems models, techniques, or methods. Publication record in high quality scientific journals, at conferences and in industry accessible journals/magazines.

Languages

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required, and fluency in spoken and written Haryanvi or Hindi are an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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