Basic Function:

The post-doctoral researcher will work as part of the behavioural and social science ‘Impact Platform’ within the Research Ireland VistaMilk Research Centre. Specifically, this PD will work as part of an inter-disciplinary research team exploring the feasibility, acceptability and application of technologies for animal health and welfare at farm level. The PD will work on up to 4 separate use cases in two thematic animal health areas (milking technology, disease surveillance), bringing methodological expertise in social/behavioural science and user engagement to on-going technology research in the space of animal health within VistaMilk. The PD will design and execute studies using qualitative research methodologies e.g. participatory workshops, focus groups, semi-structured interviews and/or observational research. They will analyze the qualitative data collected, feeding insights back to inter-disciplinary team members as well as writing up findings for peer-reviewed publications.

Background:

The VistaMilk Research Centre (www.vistamilk.ie), which has been operating out of Teagasc Moorepark since 2018, has entered its second 6-year phase (2024-2030). The VistaMilk SFI Centre aims to be an agent of growth for the Irish dairy industry by being a world leader in fundamental and translational research for precision pasture-based dairying. VistaMilk’s vision for Phase II will advance the construction of a federated set of digital twins, each representing a module in the soil-to-gut pathway but with the ability for upstream and downstream communication and interaction – a system-of-systems. Such an integrated collection of independent systems for the dairy sector will enable whole system scenario modelling of a multitude of features and perturbations such as climate change adaptation, policy, farm advice, and research/hypothesis generation, the scale of which has never before been achieved. The outcome is informed direction and policy on how best to tackle Ireland’s unique challenges.

VistaMilk represents a unique collaboration between 14 Agri-Food and ICT Research Institutes and leading Irish/multinational food and ICT companies. The Centre is hosted by Teagasc, the national agency with responsibility for agriculture and food research.

The Centre consists of one Director and 11 co-applicants (applicant group; 42% female) with skillsets in agriculture (soil, pasture breeding and management, animal breeding and management), food (processing and food for health), sensing, communications, social and behavioural sciences and analytics. The applicant group are supported by 64 funded investigators (FIs; 42% female) from 13 institutes and 54 industry collaborators; opportunities will be created to expand this Academic and Industry Team during this phase.

The aim of the Impact Platform is to understand and stimulate engaged research amongst key actors in the VistaMilk research center. The Impact Platform consists of a team of approximately 15 behavioral and social scientists from multiple research institutes across Ireland. They apply different social and behavioral science methods working alongside scientists from other disciplines to engage with key target audiences, including farmers and citizen-consumers, around the development, application and governance of new technologies for the dairy sector.

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 Project Leader  Dr Aine Regan 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:

• Carry out literature reviews exploring farmer behaviour related to animal health technologies.
• Design, execute and analyze qualitative / co-design studies with farmers and other key actors (e.g. scientists, veterinarians, policy-makers)
• 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
• To actively participate in the Teagasc Post-Doctoral Fellowship programme and review process and to undertake all Post-Doctoral Fellowship training and associated duties as agreed in the Training and Development Plan.
• 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.

Essential

• PhD in a relevant discipline e.g. psychology, sociology, human geography, social science, behavioural science, or similar
• Relevant research experience not to exceed 3 years’ post Ph.D
• Demonstrated research and technical expertise in qualitative research methods
• 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
• 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 in participatory / co-design research methods
• Experience in social / behavioural science applied to animal health / welfare
• Experience in inter-disciplinary research environments
• Experience in setting own research agenda
• Evidence of teamwork and collaboration with relevant partners

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