Basic Function:

To contribute, as part of a large team of research and industry bodies, to the development of a national cattle breeding program for low carbon, high quality meat production using state-of-the-art phenotypic, genetic and genomic approaches. Research will include the generation of protocols and standard operating procedures for the collection and editing of data including the derivation of novel and informative phenotypes. Dissemination of results to stakeholders will also be a major component of the role.

Background:

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 Donagh Berry or other designated manager in conjunction with the Head of Department.

The MTI is a unique project, co-funded by Enterprise Ireland, industry and hosted by Teagasc, in collaboration with ICBF, UCC, DCU, IMR, TUS, MTU and TU Dublin. The activity crosses the interface between academic endeavour and commercial exploitation. The role will require an exceptional individual with advanced scientific training, excellent communication skills and good project management experience. A significant portion of their time may be spent on-site in MTI industry member plants and in the partner RPOs institutions. While reporting to the hiring manager, they will work directly with the MTI Research & Innovation Project Manager and participating company leads, to ensure research outputs from the Centre are seamlessly transferred and embedded in the MTI member companies. The candidate will be required to act within the MTI Memorandum of Understanding governing the management of confidential information. The candidate will be required to contribute to identifying opportunities and formulating solutions to facilitate progress for the participant companies and researchers involved.  The objective of genetics program within the MTI is to deliver the necessary research, pipelines and tools to deliver more carbon efficient, high quality beef products. Of particular interest is the development of genetic evaluations for methane emissions (using data from grazing animals), a finishability metric, meat yield and kill out percent. Also of importance is the continued development of meat quality genetic evaluations. While data for some of the traits already exists, additional and complementary data will also have to be collected.

Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project:

• Aid in the collection and analyses of methane data from a large population of grazing cattle
• Aid in the generation and analyses of primal cut data in large population of cattle
• (Genetic) analyses of kill out, growth rate, and quality meat data in large population of cattle
•  Derivation and analyses of novel phenotypes for consideration in national breeding programs
• Engage with stakeholders on the potential of genetic and genomic evaluations for these difficult-to measure traits and how they can impact the carbon footprint and profitability of the beef sector as a whole

 
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.

Essential

• PhD in animal breeding or a related discipline
• Relevant research experience not to exceed 3 years’ post-PhD
• Demonstrated research and technical expertise in data analytics especially in relation to the mixed model analyses of genetic and genomic data
• Demonstrated ability to handle and interpret vast datasets of animal level and herd level data
• 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

• An understanding of cattle production systems in Ireland 
• Experience in handling of genomic data 
• 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.