Basic Function: 

To develop, lead and implement a state of the art research programme in ruminant animal nutrition including the application of state-of-the-art biotechnology approaches to the study of key performance traits in ruminant livestock production with particular focus on the following:

• Feed intake, growth and feed efficiency of cattle and sheep.
• Rumen digestion, methanogenesis and nitrogen use efficiency.

In addition, the interaction between genetics and nutritional management of the animal will be a central aspect of the research programme envisaged for this role.   

Background: 

The ruminant livestock sector is a major contributor to the value of Ireland’s agri-food industry.  For example, the cumulatively the beef, dairy and sheep sectors account for almost 70% of the total value of Irish agricultural output in 2022 generating approximately €8.5bn. Teagasc plays a key role in developing and supporting competitive, profitable and sustainable systems of pasture based ruminant livestock  production in Ireland. Indeed, working collaboratively with both national and international partners, Teagasc has invested heavily in the development of a cutting edge fundamental research programme to underpin its applied ruminant livestock research and dissemination remit. This includes state of the art genetics, genomics, microbiology, animal health and product quality research facilities. Such investment, in conjunction with major stakeholder support and implementation has allowed Ireland to become a world leader in the application of state of the art technology to the study of the underlying biology of animal nutrition, digestive and growth physiology and supporting the adoption of genetics and genomics based technology at industry level.

Teagasc are seeking to appoint a highly qualified and enthusiastic Research Scientist in Ruminant Livestock Nutrition and Biotechnology to develop and lead a cutting edge research programme to underpin the continued development and sustainability of the Irish ruminant livestock based production sector. The successful candidate’s research programme will have particular emphasis on, but will not be limited to, investigating the impact of nutrition on the biological performance of cattle and sheep, and how these management interventions influence both economic and environmental sustainability of ruminant livestock production.  In particular, the interaction between the animal and its constituent rumen microbiome will be a key focus of the research programme with emphasis on developing a better understanding of forage consumption and digestion, ruminal methanogenesis and nitrogen use efficiency. This work will further complement the role of Teagasc as a key player in, and leader of a large number of national and internationally funded research projects examining genetic and nutritional factors influencing the feed efficiency, growth, product quality and GHG emissions from ruminant livestock production systems.

The Grange campus is part of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre in Teagasc and has extensive facilities for field and laboratory research.   These include pasture and overwintering facilities for in excess of 1100 cattle including 200 beef cows and their progeny to finish. Field and laboratory resources include state of the art electronic individual feed intake and methane emissions measurement equipment; in vitro based feed digestibility systems; an in vivo feed digestibility research unit and a suite of animal nutrition, animal health, microbiology and molecular biology based laboratories to support a world-class beef cattle research programme. Indeed, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and multidisciplinary team of researchers and knowledge transfer specialists across Teagasc’s Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme which includes Grange (beef), Moorepark (dairy) and Athenry (sheep) research centres.

The current post will be a key appointment for Teagasc with national significance in further developing our standing as a world leader in ruminant livestock derived, pasture based, food production.

• Develop, implement and lead an innovative ruminant animal nutrition research programme focused on the exploitation of state of the art molecular based science to support improved economic and environmental sustainability of ruminant livestock based production systems. 
• Design and manage experiments; statistically analyse and publish the resulting data.
• Manage staff and resources assigned to the research programme.
• Identify opportunities for cutting-edge research to address key knowledge gaps.
• Lead successful submissions for external funding, that is consistent with the Teagasc research programme, with the objective of developing critical mass in the area by building and supervising a dynamic team of post-doctoral researchers(s) and post-graduate student(s). 
• Develop and maintain active collaboration with relevant national and international research organisations.
• Work closely with Teagasc Knowledge Transfer Specialists to ensure effective dissemination of research findings to advisors and stakeholders.
• Supervise postgraduate students to Masters and PhD level, in conjunction with colleagues from collaborating academic institutions.
• Interpret and publish research results in the scientific and popular press, at conferences (nationally and internationally) and to stakeholders
• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• Contribute to the teamwork and team spirit in the Animal & Bioscience Department, and foster and add to further collaboration and integration across scientific disciplines.
• Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service charter and action plan.
• Actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• Carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Department, Head of Programme or Director of Research from time to time.

* This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.

Note:  Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.