Basic Function:

This competition seeks to recruit a motivated self-starter Post Doctoral Fellow to work on the EU Horizon project MARVELA which will focus on non-CO2 emissions monitoring, mitigation and demonstration. The work will include setting up field trials, associated lab work and taking field measurements in a range of weather conditions and publication of results. The work will also involve working with and communicating through written and oral English with 16 other EU partners and coordination and execution of work package responsibilities including report writing and occasional international travel. The position will also include driving vehicles. 

Background:

The position will be based in the Environment, Soils and Land Use Department at Teagasc National Agricultural Sustainability Research and Innovation Centre, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland’s leading centre for soils and environmental research.

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 Dr. Patrick Forrestal 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:

• Quickly develop a positive working relationship with the 16 other MARVELA project partners from 7 EU countries through online and occasional in-person interactions communicating clearly and proactively through written and spoken English.
• Effectively pro-actively plan and execute the setup of field experiments, continuing on to physically measure nitrate leaching, ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions with animal manures, fertiliser, nitrification inhibitors and lime working outdoors to setup trials and take measurements. Ensuring that all necessary protocols, health and safety measures are in place, maintaining quality control, an organised database of results, write up and publication of the results.
• Coordinate and attend regular online and occasional in-person meetings to ensure effective Teagasc leadership of two key project work packages focused on setup and implementation of effective mitigation measures to reduce direct and indirect non-CO2 GHG emissions in seven European countries and on database refinement ensuring that the task commitments are met on-time.
• Attending and engaging in the 15 work packages of the MARVELA project to ensure that the Teagasc commitments outlined in the project proposal including protocol development, on-site demonstration, train the trainer activities, contribution to modelling are met on time and the reputation of Teagasc for delivery in EU projects is maintained.
• Ensuring that the Teagasc deliverables, and Teagasc contributions to the project deliverables are on time including the duty of compiling the Teagasc lead reports to EU Commission and the completion of a database. The Post-doctoral Fellow will be responsible for effectively planning, gathering information and ensure collaborator cooperation to ensure that this duty is completed on time and to a high standard.
• Pro-actively plan and efficiently execute work activities and the training activities involved in undertaking the Level 9 Professional Diploma in Researcher Development to ensure that the commitments of both can be met without double booking that would negatively impacting project field work schedules, attending consortium meetings, delivery and contribution to reports to the EU commission.     

 
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 Agricultural, Environmental, Atmospheric emissions, Plant or Soil Science
• Relevant research experience not to exceed 3 years’ post-PhD
• Demonstrated research and technical expertise in the management of large research projects, non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen leaching and cycling, stakeholder engagement and demonstration, quality delivery to deadlines.
• 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

Desirable

• Experience of database management software
• Experience developing train the trainer material, producing videos to disseminate research findings to agri-food stakeholders in language that is non-technical and accessible.
• Knowledge and competency in the use of new techniques for measuring emissions at farm scale
• Experience working directly with farmers
• Experience in setting own research agenda
• Evidence of teamwork and collaboration with relevant partners

Gender, Diversity and Inclusion

At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives, for the benefit of all in the organisation.

We are committed to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.

We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.