Call for researcher

Within the framework of the research project “W.E. B.E.S.T. = Wine EVOO Blockchain and Smart Contracts,” supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (PRIN), the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Forestry Sciences at the University of Palermo is actively seeking a specialized postdoctoral researcher in the field of agricultural economics. This 12-month position is expected to commence around January/February 2024.

The project aims to assess the applicability of Blockchain technology (BCT) to support traceability and the enhancement of excellence in Italian agri-food production, specifically in the wine and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) sectors. In detail, the researcher will be involved in two research lines, namely (i) exploring and evaluating the potential adoption of BCT among SMEs in the wine and EVOO sectors through the analysis of farmers’ willingness to embrace BCT as a tool to facilitate sustainable business development, and (ii) assessing consumer behavior towards new digital tools offered by the interface of the new BCT, utilizing the stated preference methodology.

Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics or related fields relevant to the research topics, and should possess strong data analysis skills and proficiency in software such as STAT, R, and SPSS.

For any further inquiries, please contact the scientific coordinator for this position, Professor Antonino Galati, at Email: antonino.galati@unipa.it.