Basic Function: 

Teagasc is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, ambitious technician to an EU funded position (HEAL), the aim of which is to assess the ecological, environmental and economic impacts of utilising novel and conventional forage species for animal agriculture in Ireland and across Europe. HEAL, which is a multi-stakeholder transdisciplinary research project working in six European countries, aims to form a collaborative partnership between farmers, researchers and other stakeholders to promote targeted agro-ecological measures. Field trials will be carried out on a network of commercial farms to assess the contribution of short rotation crops, specifically red clover and maize, to Irish dairy farms, and to evaluate the use of red clover in grassland silage production under reduced nitrogen fertiliser compared to conventional grass only silage production. A model will be developed to quantify long term effect of rotation length, yield and forage quality on farm profit. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting on farm data collection from commercial grassland farms to investigate the impact of using legume crops either in rotation or sown as longer term leys  and will assist in experimental data collect on the Teagasc Moorepark Research farm.

Background: 

The position will be based at the Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Teagasc Moorepark is Ireland’s leading dairy research institute with national responsibility for all aspects of dairy production research which include grassland and grazing management, dairy cow breeding and reproduction, dairy cow health and welfare, milk composition and dairy cow nutrition, milking technology and milk production systems plus economic analysis. The research programme is conducted by over 30 scientific and technical professionals, supported by administrative and operative staff. Moorepark operates a total of 7 individual dairy research farms totalling 500 hectares and over 1,000 dairy cows. Facilitates include modern individual cow feed and metabolism units, laboratories, computer facilities, milking research laboratories

Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project:

• Implement experiment protocols on commercial grassland farms on the impact of red clover in forage production 
• Manage experiments and data collection on commercial farms
• Manage plots experiments and data collection on Teagasc Research farms
• Input data into experimental data sets and PastureBase Ireland
• Perform basic laboratory analysis
• Contribute to the management of samples, equipment and consumables.
• Collate experimental datasets.
• To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• To assist with all aspects of the HEAL project including the collection and analysis of on-farm samples, collation of datasets and data analysis

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

• Health & Safety Co-ordinator Duties or such other Health & Safety Duties as may be assigned from time to time.
• 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

 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.

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 commited to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.

We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.