Background:

Teagasc have a large research programme on dairy-beef production which is focused on improving the production efficiency, profitability and sustainability of these systems. The dairy-beef research progamme is predominantly carried out at Teagasc Grange on a large pasture-based experimental platform with extensive supporting facilities for field and laboratory research. The internationally renowned research programme is carried out by a dynamic team of Researchers, Technologists, Technicians, Farm Staff and Specialists at Grange.

Better-Calf (Dairy calf systems for resilience, welfare and sustainability in rural territories) is a pan-European project funded by Interreg North-West Europe which aims, through a combination of experimental farm studies, farm systems simulation, farmer focus groups and multi-stakeholder groups, to design, test and deploy innovations in grass-based dairy-beef systems. The project brings together partners from six European countries where dairy-beef systems are at different stages of development to develop and test dairy-beef systems under a range of the soil and climatic conditions which prevail in north-west Europe.

Basic Function:

We wish to recruit a dynamic and suitably qualified Research Scientist to support the Better-Calf project with particular focus on: assisting with the overall management of the project; assembling and managing data related to dairy-beef systems; and, analysis of the economic, environmental and social aspects of dairy-beef systems. There will be opportunities to acquire new skills, continued professional development and for travel to conferences within the duration of the role.

• Day-to-day management of the Better-Calf project. This successful candidate will be a key member of the project team and will support the partners in adhering to the work-programme, its constituent tasks, deliverables, and milestones.
• Compiling data and reviewing literature on dairy-beef systems across the project regions of north-west Europe.
• Working closely with the dairy-beef research team at Teagasc Grange including the assembly of data from ongoing and recently completed experimental studies.
• Carrying out assessments of novel grass-based dairy-beef systems across a range of soil and climatic conditions that prevail in north-west Europe.
• Attend project technical and steering group meetings and support the organization of Better-Calf events.
• Assistance with budgets, administration, and management/coordination, report writing, engaging with partners and relevant stakeholders and project dissemination activities.
• To disseminate project findings and engage in project reporting duties.
• To contribute to the teamwork and team-spirit within Teagasc and partner institutes and to foster and add to further collaboration and integration.
• 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.

* 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.