Background:

Teagasc is seeking to appoint a highly qualified and enthusiastic researcher to develop and lead a research programme with a focus on knowledge transfer and practice adoption in farm safety and farmer health. The position will be located within the Department of AgriFood Business and Spatial Analysis, which is part of Teagasc's Rural Economy Development Programme. This programme conducts applied economic and social research on Irish agriculture and rural areas, addressing key challenges facing farming families, rural communities and the agri-food sector.

Farm safety and farmer health and wellbeing are critical challenges for Irish agriculture, with farming consistently ranking as one of the most hazardous occupations. Improving both the perception and actual performance of the sector with respect to these challenges is a central part of improving the social sustainability of farming and agri-food systems. Despite ongoing efforts to improve safety outcomes, the agricultural sector continues to experience disproportionately high rates of workplace accidents, fatalities, and injuries. Furthermore, farmers face unique health and wellbeing challenges associated with the physical demands of farming, social isolation, financial pressures, and the stress of managing complex farm enterprises. Understanding the complex interplay of behavioural, social, cultural, and structural factors that influence farmer safety practices, health behaviours, and wellbeing is essential to developing effective, evidence-based interventions that can meaningfully reduce harm, improve health outcomes, and enhance quality of life for farming families.

The successful candidate's research programme will have particular emphasis on understanding safety challenges, investigate the determinants that influence farmer safety decision-making, health behaviours, and wellbeing, develop and evaluate targeted interventions to improve safety practices and health outcomes among diverse farming populations, and assess the effectiveness of farm safety education, health promotion programmes, training and communication strategies. This work will seek to inform both policy and practice requiring active collaboration with key stakeholders in the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System, in particular Teagasc's Knowledge Transfer and Advisory service and Education and Training programmes.

Teagasc has established strong collaborative relationships with key stakeholders in farm safety and farmer health including DAFM, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the Farm Safety Partnership, the Health  Service Executive (HSE), farming organisations, health promotion agencies, mental health services, and academic institutions. The successful candidate will be expected to support and develop these stakeholder relationships and partnerships and foster new collaborative networks nationally and internationally.

This will be a key appointment for Teagasc with national significance in advancing the evidence base for farm safety and health interventions and contributing to the reduction of farm accidents and fatalities, as well as improving the overall health and wellbeing of farmers and their families in Ireland over the coming years.

Basic Function:

To develop, implement and lead a research programme in the area of farm safety and farmer physical and mental health:

• Understanding critical safety challenges including, but not limited to, tractors and machinery, livestock and animal handling, slurry and confined spaces, chemical handling, and slips, trips and falls
• Investigating the behavioural, social, and cultural determinants that influence farmer safety practices and decision-making
• Developing and evaluating evidence-based interventions to reduce farm accidents and improve adoption of safety practices among diverse farming populations
• Developing and assessing the effectiveness of farm safety education, training programmes and communication strategies
• Conducting enterprise-level and sectoral-level analysis of farm safety challenges and intervention effectiveness
• Contribute to the design and delivery of KT education programmes and advisory campaigns.
• Contributing to the development of farm health and safety policy through applied research that addresses national and EU health and safety priorities
• Working collaboratively across programmes and directorates in Teagasc and with external stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and delivery of research, knowledge transfer, advice, education and training programmes.

• Identify opportunities for cutting-edge research to address key knowledge gaps by developing, leading and implementing a research programme in the area of farm safety and farmer health. 
• 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). 
• Supervise, in conjunction with academic collaborator(s)  postgraduate students to Masters and PhD level.
• Interpret and publish research results in the scientific and popular press, at conferences (nationally and internationally) and communicate to stakeholders with a view to developing and maintaining active collaborations with national and international research communities.
• Work closely with Teagasc Knowledge Transfer and education and training specialists to ensure effective programme development and communication of research findings to advisors, farmers and stakeholders.
• To be a visible voice and advocate within the sector for best practice around farmer health & safety.
• Develop and maintain active collaborations with relevant national and international policy, including key health and safety stakeholders such as the Health and Safety Authority, the Farm Safety Partnership, Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, farm organisations and community organisations.
• Manage staff and resources assigned to the research programme.
• 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.
• To fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations, including full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.

• To carry out 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.

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