Background:

LABMACC is a large multimillion euro project funded by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. The five year project started in 2022 and it is co-ordinated by Teagasc. The Climate Action Plan 2021 has set ambitious targets to reduce national emissions by 51% and agricultural emissions by 22-30%. Currently agriculture accounts for over 38% of national greenhouse gas emissions and thus there is a need to a) dramatically reduce emissions and b) enhance carbon sinks associated with agriculture. Methane and nitrous oxide account for approx. 2/3 and 1/3 of national agricultural emissions, respectively. In addition, there are also substantial carbon sinks in Ireland that can be used to offset greenhouse gas emissions. Ammonia is an air pollutant impacting natural habitats, animal and human health and leads to indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Ireland has been breaching its ammonia emission reduction targets since 2016. Nearly 99% of ammonia comes from agriculture and the expanding sector is facing pressure to reduce emissions.

The position will be based in Teagasc Environment, Soils and Land-use Department in Johnstown Castle, Wexford. Teagasc - Johnstown Castle is Ireland’s leading research institute on soils and environment related research, and conducts both fundamental and applied research on a wide range of subjects, e.g. soil quality, nutrient efficiency, water quality, gaseous emissions, agro-ecology, and land use. Johnstown Castle has many different laboratory, greenhouse and field facilities to support research as well as 190 hectares of farmland.

Basic Function:

The position involves the monitoring of greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from a range of experimental treatments to identify new mitigation measures. The Research Officer will be responsible for the writing of scientific papers from previously completed experiments. The Research Officer will co-ordinate the project tasks involving the characterization of gaseous emissions from Irish soils and the impact of management on these emissions.

The successful candidate will organise the daily operations of the project work at Johnstown Castle, and will assist the project co-ordinator and PI in collating reports and arranging project meetings. They will take the lead in data analysis and in writing progress reports, presentations and publication of scientific/technical papers.

• To interpret research findings and lead the preparation of scientific publications.
• Conduct experiments quantifying greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from soils associated with fertiliser, manure, digestate and liming practices.
• Operate and maintain gaseous emissions monitoring equipment in good condition and co-ordinate relevant laboratory analysis/experiments.
• Assist in coordination of the research team.
• Produce project reports for the funders and a range of other stakeholders.  
• To disseminate research findings to a variety of audiences as appropriate.
• Work closely with Teagasc Knowledge Transfer Specialists/Advisors to ensure effective dissemination of research findings to advisers and stakeholders.
• Supervise, in conjunction with university partners, postgraduate students to Masters and PhD level.
• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
• To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• 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.
• Any other duties as may be assigned 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.