News & Events

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NEWS

Imagine a future where drones and artificial intelligence work together to protect your vineyards. That's what the AI4Leafhopper project is making a reality!

Manisha Sirsat, a researcher on the AI4Leafhopper team, has developed two artificial intelligence models that analyze the aerial images captured by our latest generation drone... and these models make it possible:

  • geolocation of each vine
  • to know if there are vine failures
  • quickly identify “sick” vines”
  • optimize the application of treatments

The result? Growers can have a detailed view of the health of their vineyards, detect problems early and make more informed decisions.

Find out all about it here.

AI4Leafhopper is a project led by InPP and funded by the ICAERUS Horizon Europe program, which began in April 2024 and ended on April 30 with a final meeting involving the six European projects approved in the 1st edition of the ICAERUS program's PULL applications. The project team presented the AI-based models for detecting and monitoring the impact of the green leafhopper on vineyards.

The AI4Leafhopper project, InnovPlantProtect used a state-of-the-art drone to monitor the impact of the green leafhopper in the vineyards of our partners Reynolds Wine Growers and João Portugal Ramos. Although the results show that this advanced technology is more effective at detecting attacks at advanced stages, we are excited about the potential of this tool to provide valuable data for the management of this harmful insect.

We believe that with more research, we can refine our solution to detect early attacks and prevent significant damage to vineyards. Transforming the monitoring of this pest is where we want to go, always with the aim of protecting vineyards and guaranteeing the quality of production for winegrowers.

Over the next few days we'll be revealing everything that the AI4Leafhopper project is making a reality and how drones and artificial intelligence are working together to create a more sustainable future for viticulture. Stay tuned!

Find out all about it here.

AI4Leafhopper, funded by the ICAERUS Horizon Europe program, which began in April 2024, is now in its final stages. The development phase of the project, which took place in the field, is now over and the final stage is to present the solutions developed by our team on Portuguese soil to the market.

EVENTS

For two days, the Lisbon Congress Center will host researchers, entrepreneurs and the general public for the annual Science 2020 meeting. At this event, ANI - Agência Nacional de Inovação (National Innovation Agency) will host six virtual sessions as part of the PERIN/Horizonte Europa network and Collaborative Laboratories (CoLAB).

At the annual Science 2020 meeting, which is being held today and tomorrow at the Lisbon Congress Center, ANI-National Innovation Agency will be hosting 6 virtual sessions as part of the PERIN/Horizonte Europa network and Collaborative Laboratories (CoLAB).

Horizon Europe, the European Union's next framework program for research and innovation, will be the theme for three sessions promoted by ANI, as a member of the PERIN network:

  • PERIN Session - Missions

On November 3, at 11:30 a.m., there will be a presentation of the missions that will be part of Horizon Europe, followed by a speech by the European Commission on the concept of mission. The session will also feature a round table of Portuguese experts participating in mission boards. Access the event here.

  • PERIN Session - Pillar II

Also on November 3, at 2pm, the structure of “Pillar II of Horizon Europe - Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness” will be presented, focusing on the opportunities and themes of each of its clusters. Access the event here.

  • PERIN Session - Pillar III

On November 4, at 11:30 a.m., the different areas of “Pillar III of Horizon Europe - Innovative Europe” will be presented: European Innovation Council, Eurostars 3 (focusing on the Portuguese presidency of Eureka), SME Support Networks and European Institute of Innovation and Technology. Access the event here.

Also November 3rd and 4th, the three sessions dedicated to Collaborative Labs, These presentations are also part of the program of the Science 2020 Meeting. Each presentation will be structured according to a pitch in which each CoLAB will showcase its activities and the technologies and services it provides. The interventions are divided into 6 thematic areas, according to the respective area of intervention: Digital and Information Systems; Climate, Space and Oceans; Health and Social Services; Materials, Circular Economy and Urban Sustainability; Energy and Sustainability; Biodiversity and Forestry; and Agri-food. See detailed information on the CoLAB sessions e watch the event here.

The importance and challenges of science, research and innovation in Portugal's recovery in times of pandemic set the tone for the Science 2020 Meeting. This event is particularly relevant as Portugal prepares to take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2021. Speakers and participants will discuss strategies for the country and Europe to be more resilient, digital, green, social and global in the current context. Over the course of two days, the program includes several thematic sessions in a wide range of scientific areas, promoting interaction between researchers, the business sector and the general public.

The Science Meeting is promoted by the Foundation for Science and Technology in collaboration with Ciência Viva - National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture and the Parliamentary Commission for Education and Science, and has the institutional support of the Government through the Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education. More information about the meeting will be released soon.

See Science 2020 Meeting Program and Program of Thematic Sessions.

InnovPlantProtect is hiring a researcher for its Department 2 - Protection of Specific Crops. See the requirements here.

Main responsibilities
This researcher reports directly to the Director of the Department of Protection of Specific Crops
of InnovPlantProtect and has the following responsibility:
- To identify pests and diseases in the field and in the laboratory
- Sample plant, pests and pathogen material from crop fields
- Interact with farmers and field researchers
- Support field, greenhouse and laboratory plant-pathogen interaction assays


Specific requirements
- Master degree in Phytopathology or related fields
- Experience in phytopathology and agronomic techniques is desirable
- Knowledge on molecular phytopathology and plant physiology
- Fluency in English, spoken and written


InnovPlantProtect is a private non-profit association

InnovPlantProtect aims to create innovation for the protection of crops, seeds and post-harvest
products, in particular through:
- Development of new technologies and knowledge, as well as the improvement of
previously developed technologies, to protect crops, seeds and post-harvest products, as
as well as their intellectual protection and availability;
- Development of applied scientific research to introduce the developed technologies in
the market, and to develop processes and products;
- Provide technical support to companies and entities, public or private, assisting them in
the introduction of biotechnological strategies, methods and processes, and in the
orientation and implementation of industrial research and development, directed towards
the protection of crops, seeds and post-harvest products;
- Collaboration with public or private institutions, national or foreign in their areas of
activity.


Workplace
The place of work will be the headquarters of InnovPlantProtect, at the INIAV Elvas pole, in the
former National Plant Breeding Station (Elvas, Portugal).


Salary and contract
A full-time contract will be offered, starting December 1st, 2020. The contract will last until
December, 31, 2022, being renewed annually, and with a trial period of 30 days. The contract
will be renewed past 2022 depending on further financial support.
All the activities to be developed will be subject to confidentiality clauses.
The gross value of the remuneration will be 1509,8€ (14 months - 21,152.6€/year) plus 4,77€ of
lunch subsidy per working day.

Financial Support
This contract is co-financed by the European Social Fund and Alentejo 2020, under the
Operation: Highly qualified employment in companies - Hiring Highly Qualified Human
Resources (PME or CoLAB). Project reference: ALT20-59-2018-49


To apply for this position, the following documents should be sent in a single PDF
document:

- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter
- Honor statement that all data provided in the CV is true
(If the selected candidate does not hold a master's degree by a Portuguese Higher Education
Institution, its recognition by the Portuguese State must be delivered after signing the contract,
under the terms of the Portuguese Decree-Law No. 66/2018)


Where to send the application
To the care of the Chief Executive Officer of InnovPlantProtect Collaborative Lab, Professor
Pedro Fevereiro (inpp@iplantprotect.pt).


Deadlines
This call is open until November 6th 2020, with a decision expected by November 20th. The
selected candidate is expected to start on December 1st.


General rules of data protection (GDPR)
With the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of April 26, 2016, commonly known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
and in order to ensure a fair and transparent treatment of the holder of the data,
InnovPlantProtect informs that by applying for this position you are authorizing
InnovPlantProtect to (1) collect and process your personal data deemed necessary and relevant
to this recruitment process, (2) to disclose the results of the evaluation in accordance with the
legislation in force.