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Grassland Breeder Clover and Perennial Ryegrass Research Officer

Location: Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow, R93 XE12
Research
Salary: Research Officer with a Salary Scale of €38,558 to €74,094
Closing Date: 21/05/2024 12:00 PM
Permanent Full Time

Job Description

Duration:

Permanent . 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:

The genetic improvement of forages plays a major role in the enhancement of agricultural systems. In the past, forage breeding has focused mainly on improving animal production potential but now climate change mitigation and reducing the environmental impacts of farming are equally important. Balancing animal production targets against the need for more sustainable production systems poses further breeding challenges. This may require traits expressed at levels outside the known range of variation in the currently popular species or even completely new traits or species. The focus will be on breeding resilient grasses and legumes for future Irish grass based production systems, including, but not limited to, perennial ryegrass, white clover and red clover.

The successful candidate will be responsible for (i) identifying and investigating the breeding potential and impact of new traits in forage grasses and legumes for climate change mitigation and sustainability and (ii) the development and application of breeding methodologies for these traits within the commercial breeding programme.

Background:

The Teagasc commercial forage-breeding programme was established at Oakpark, Carlow in the mid-1980’s. The programme has adopted a multi - species breeding strategy targeted at increasing animal production potential, improving animal health and welfare, and reducing the environmental and climatic footprint of agriculture. The main emphasis is on breeding improved cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), white clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) that will offer high yields of quality forage over a long grazing season together with high persistency and disease resistance. Breeding is based on the establishment, evaluation and crossing of thousands of plots and plants each year in the field and glasshouse. In 2023, Teagasc signed a long-term commercial agreement with Goldcrop to propagate, market and sell all new Teagasc cultivars.

Job Objectives

To identify and investigate the merit, breeding potential and impact of new traits in forage grasses, legumes for climate change mitigation, climate variability, and sustainability.
To develop and apply breeding methodologies for these new traits within the commercial breeding programme.
To design new breeding approaches which complement the established commercial breeding programme.
To future proof the breeding programme by modifying plant composition through identifying and selecting new traits to address drought tolerance, reduced enteric methane emissions, biological nitrogen inhibition and disease/pest resistance.
To investigate and develop new breeding methodologies to select for root morphology to enhance sustainability.
To develop new breeding methodologies to increase the overall persistence of white clover and red clover in grazing swards.
To ensure the research undertaken has an applied and practical purpose, and can be readily applied to the commercial breeding programme and/or commercial grassland farms.
To liaise and collaborate with other members of Teagasc to develop the grass/legume agronomy research programme across enterprises and grazing/conservation managements
To supervise post graduate students to underpin the research and breeding focus.
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.
To fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations, including full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
To carry out 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.

Skills Requirement

	Essential	Desirable
Qualifications	Candidates must have an honours Level 8 degree in Plant breeding, Agricultural Science, Biological Science or a related discipline. A PhD degree in Plant Breeding or Grassland Agronomy.	Experience in grass, legume breeding and/or research.
Skills	Identification of plant traits for selection. Grass and/or legume phenotyping. Field trials establishment, agronomy and evaluation. Excellent laboratory skills, organization skills, report writing and data analysis. Experience in setting own research agenda. Proven record of scientific communication.	Molecular breeding techniques. Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches. Record of successful research grant writing. .
Knowledge	Grassland systems with particular emphasis on grasses or legumes. Agronomy of grass and/or legume swards. Grass and/or legume cultivar/germplasm phenotyping. Traditional breeding methods and selection theory. Principles of cultivar development. Good laboratory practice.	Molecular breeding techniques including genomics and genome editing. Laboratory quality assurance and quality control. Irish grassland industry.
Behavioural Competencies	A structured approach to work, with an ability to plan and prioritize by importance and urgency. Ability to work on own initiative and collaboratively with others. Ability to critically analyze, problem-solve and demonstrate a high level of attention to detail. A positive, proactive solutions-focused approach to work. Ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences. Flexible with an ability to adapt to changing requirements/priorities. Strives for high quality work and demonstrates commitment to the programme. Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders. Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.
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.

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.

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