Basic Function:

The post holder will be part of an interdisciplinary team to carry out agronomy variety trials for spelted wheats (spelt, emmer and einkorn) and naked oats. Beyond agronomy the post holder will carry out and devise cereal grain quality tests for these cereals for human consumption. The post holder is required to interact proactively with the wider project team and stakeholders and disseminate and communicate the outcomes of their work.

Background:

The Protein-I 2 project is funded by DAFM  to transform our current food system within the Island of Ireland to shift our crop production to support development of food products that can help meeting our climate targets. This shift supports a more plant-based diet and is often termed the Protein Transition with the endpoint being a sustainable, equitable and balanced food system. Protein-I-2 will be an important step in enabling Ireland to meet the ambitions set out in Food Wise 2025 and Food Vision 2030. Focusing on the crop sector and innovations therein will also address key parts of Crop2030. The focus on crop and raw material optimisation, crop production systems and scale-up and regulatory pathways aligns with national goals to diversify protein sources, reduce agri-environmental pressures and support circular bioeconomy growth

The Teagasc post-doctoral programme provides training and development opportunities for early career scientists that enhances their experience of learning and equips them with the necessary skills for the next stage of their chosen career in research.  Appointees to a Teagasc Post-Doctoral Fellowship will be required to undertake a Level 9 Professional Diploma in Researcher Development delivered by University College Dublin (UCD).  

This professional diploma is a flexible, modular programme which embraces a blended learning approach to align with the Post-Doctoral Fellow's role in Teagasc.  It is designed to develop competencies and transferable skills in research, professionalism, communication and career development.  The majority of the programme is delivered online with the remaining elements delivered in-person at Teagasc locations.  This blended approach affords the Post-Doctoral Fellow the opportunity to meet and network with other Teagasc colleagues.  During the course of the diploma Post-Doctoral Fellows will have access to a full range of supports including the UCD library, writing centre and careers centre.

This is a research focused training role, the primary purpose of which is to provide early career scientists with the opportunity to develop their research skills and competencies. The Post-Doctoral Fellow will, while working in conjunction with senior research staff, gain insight and experience into a variety of areas including the processes of project and budgetary management, publishing in peer-reviewed academic journals, writing grant applications, and attracting external funding; the development of active collaboration with relevant national and international research communities; the development of communication and presentation skills, leadership and management skills, and overall career development.  Modules will be conducted under the supervision and direction of the Susanne Barth or other designated manager in conjunction with the Head of Department.

Gain first-hand insights into the Teagasc Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme from those who've lived it.  Click here to explore their stories.

Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project: 

• Design and execute multi-location cereal field trials
• analyse field experiments to assess the agronomic performance of the project cereals
• communicate with seed agents and breeders to acquire seed materials and give feed-back
• Design, execute and analyse grain quality tests
• Calculate and visualise the outcomes of field and lab trials
• Communicate research findings in simple terms to interdisciplinary project team members, as well as writing up research findings in depth for peer review publication
• The list of duties detailed above is not intended to be exclusive or restrictive and may be adjusted dependent on the dynamic and evolving nature of the role.  

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

• To interpret research findings and prepare scientific and popular press publications.
• To disseminate research findings to a variety of audiences as appropriate.
• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
• To comply with all relevant Teagasc policies and procedures.
• To complete all time records on SmartSimple in a timely manner.
• 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.
• To actively participate in the Teagasc Post Doctoral Fellowship programme and review processes, and to undertake all Post Doctoral fellowship training and associated duties as agreed in the Training & Development Plan.
• To take up additional duties as they may arise and be assigned by management.

This section outlines the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would be required to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.  Applications will be assessed on how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Essential

• PhD in agronomy, plant biology or related plant science discipline
• Relevant research experience not to exceed 3 years’ post-PhD
• Demonstrated research and technical expertise in agronomy of cereal field trials and determination of grain quality
• Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals etc)
• Excellent project management, analytical, report writing and data analysis skills
• An ability to collaborate with team members and PhD students to help build research knowledge and skill and to guide professional development
• Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written, presentation) with an ability to enable effective knowledge and technology transfer
• Ability to generate new ideas, unique concepts, models and solutions
• Full driving license (category B) to drive Teagasc vehicles unaccompanied on Irish roads

Desirable

• Experience in setting up new grain quality tests
• Experience in statistics
• Experience in setting own research agenda
• Evidence of teamwork and collaboration with relevant partners