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Organic Sheep Production Systems Research Officer

Location: Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Athenry, Co Galway
Research
Salary: Research Officer with a Salary Scale of €42,921 to €81,218
Closing Date: 11/08/2026 12:00 PM
Funded Full Time

Job Summary

Duration:

Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 18 months, subject to contract. A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled; such a panel will remain active for a maximum period of 12 months.

Basic Function:

Teagasc is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, ambitious research Officer to a DAFM funded position (GROFarmS) with expertise in ruminant and forage based production systems. The successful candidate will work as part of a team focusing on the analysis of finishing options and management systems for finishing organic hill and lowland lambs taking into account effects on animal performance, environmental impact and economic returns.

Background:

The GRO-FarmS project (Growing Resilient Organic Farming Systems) aims to support the sustainable development of Irish organic production systems. Given the expected increase in farms converting into organic systems, it is paramount to develop clear guidelines for efficient and profitable organic farming systems. The overall objective of this project is to investigate finishing options and management systems for finishing organic hill and lowland lambs taking into account effects on animal performance, environmental impact and economic returns.

The Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre in Teagasc, located at Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway has extensive facilities for field and animal research. Additionally, there is strong alignment between the Animal and Bioscience Department, Livestock Systems Department and the Grassland Departments across Moorepark, Grange and Athenry research centres. The sheep industry is of vital national importance to Ireland and Teagasc plays a key role in developing competitive, profitable and sustainable systems of sheep production.

Job Objectives

To lead research activities, including planning, organizing, conducting, and communicating research studies within the overall scope of the research project.
To coordinate and perform a variety of independent and team activities involved in the collection, analysis, documentation and interpretation of information/results.
To aid with the preparation of reports for the project and contribute to outreach activities
To write the results up for publication in high impact scientific journals
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.
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 take up additional duties as may arise or as assigned by management.

* 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.

Skills Requirement

	Essential	Desirable
Qualifications	An honours Level 8 degree, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent),in agricultural science or a related discipline.	A postgraduate degree and/or research experience in a related discipline would be a distinct advantage. Research experience with sheep
Knowledge/Skills	Excellent research and technical skills, organization skills, report writing and data analysis Research skills: Critical analysis of the published literature, experimental design and execution, data management, statistical analysis and data interpretation. Dissemination skills: verbal presentation/communication skills, scientific (peer-reviewed journals) and technical writing skills. Ability to initiate and lead a research programme. Capacity to successfully develop collaborative research links with national and international research organisations. Strategic awareness, innovation & change management skills. Engaging and consultative leadership skills that demonstrate best practice in people and programme management. Computer skills.	Proven record of scientific communications. Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches.
Behavioural Competencies	Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders. Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme. Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer. Ability to build and sustain positive working relationships. Flexible with an ability to adapt to changing priorities. Ability to work independently and meet self-imposed milestones and deliverables Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos
Other	As this role will involved driving vehicles, candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.
Eligibility	This is an open public competition. Should a current serving Teagasc staff member be successful in their application through open public competition for this post, their current contract of employment with Teagasc will come to an end on taking up this post.

Note: The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.

Attachment(s) :

ResearchOfficer_InformationBooklet.pdf

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