Basic Function

Teagasc is seeking to recruit a well-qualified and enthusiastic post-doctoral scientist to support the Soil Thematic Research Area of VistaMilk II. The appointed candidate will collaborate with the project team to develop and calibrate dynamic process-based models that quantify soil carbon sequestration across different soil types, land uses, and management conditions. This role will involve integrating soil, climate and management data, projecting sequestration potential for carbon farming practices and validating model outputs with repeated soil carbon measurements. The post-doctoral scientist will disseminate findings through high impact scientific journals and stakeholder engagement.

Background:

Soil carbon optimises soil structure and water holding capacity, is critical for food security and habitat conservation, and plays an essential role in regulating the climate. Ireland’s Climate Action plan 2024 targets improved accounting of soil carbon stocks and aims to enhance carbon sequestration. Phase I of VistaMilk established baseline carbon stocks for a diverse range of soil types, farming systems and landscapes. In the next phase, a subset of sites will be resampled to determine changes in soil carbon stocks. These measurements will be used to calibrate and validate process-based models. This will support the transition toward tier 2 or 3 methods in the national carbon accounting framework and improve decision-support tools for soil carbon sequestration.

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 Donal O'Brien 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:

• To analyse recent scientific literature on soil carbon dynamics in temperate agricultural systems.
• To identify and compile land management information from the Teagasc Signpost Programme, national farm survey (NFS) and other relevant sources e.g., Nutrient management plans (NMP online), Pasturebase Ireland.
• To collate soil carbon measurements and CO₂ flux data from sites in the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory (NASCO).
• To support the development of a national database of soil carbon measurements and related metadata.
• To calibrate and train soil carbon models e.g., RothC, Ecosse or DayCent using data from deep soil sampling campaigns and/or the NASCO eddy covariance tower network.
• To project carbon sequestration for various soil types and carbon farming activities e.g., liming of grasslands, planting of grass-clover or multi-species swards.
• To evaluate model performance by validating sequestration projections with repeated soil carbon measurements, independent datasets and statistical approaches.

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 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 actively participate in the Teagasc Post-Doctoral Fellowship programme and review processes, and to undertake all Post-Doctoral Fellowship training and associated duties as agreed in the Training & Development Plan.
• To take up additional duties as they may arise and be assigned by management.

This section outlines the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would be required to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.  Applications will be assessed on how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Essential

• PhD in soil science, agricultural science, geoscience or a related discipline such as environmental modelling or earth science.
• Relevant research experience not to exceed 3 years’ post-PhD
• Demonstrated research and technical expertise in soil carbon modelling and biogeochemistry, with practical applications in agroecosystems.
• 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
• Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos
• 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 setting own research agenda.
• Experience in developing and applying advanced soil carbon or biogeochemical models.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office, SAS, R software or related programming languages. 
• Strong aptitude for multidisciplinary approach.
• Good knowledge of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories