Basic Function:

The Beef Quest project aims to quantify, the effect of nutrition, health and environment factors presently constraining animal growth performance and finishing age of cattle on beef farms and to assess their impacts on GHG emissions. Overall, the project will identify, quantify and rank the primary on-farm technical and behavioural-related bottlenecks negatively impacting beef cattle finishing age. Using this new information more targeted, high-impact and deliverable KT solutions can be disseminated to reduce the finishing age of cattle, thus improving the sustainability of Irish beef production.

We wish to recruit a dynamic and suitably qualified post doctoral researcher to support the Beef Quest project with particular focus on farm scale modelling of the bioeconomic and GHG impact of strategies aimed at reducing the finishing age for beef cattle and refinement of national GHG inventories with updated production coefficients. Whole farm models, including life cycle assessment (LCA), are widely used to model technological change and innovations in management practices on livestock farms. The researcher will use data obtained from on-farm studies and experimental research studies to augment existing whole-farm beef systems models to permit a whole farm assessment of the potential of greenhouse gas emissions abatement measures.

Background:

Reducing the mean finishing age of prime beef cattle from 26 to 22-23 months by 2030 has been identified as fundamental to achieving Ireland’s commitment to reduce the agricultural sector’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25%. Nationally, the mean finishing age is six-to-nine months later than achieved on grass-based beef research and high-performing commercial farms. To expedite a reduction in the finishing age of cattle, there is an urgent need to identify and quantify factors currently impeding Irish beef farms from achieving potential live weight targets throughout the animals’ lifetime.

This role involves farm-level modelling of the effect of nutrition, health and environment factors on lifetime performance and finishing age of beef cattle. Consequently, implications for farm economics and GHG emissions will be quantified. Furthermore, the Post-Doctoral Fellow will, while working in conjunction with senior research staff, will 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.

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 Paul Smith or other designated manager in conjunction with the Head of Department. 

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Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project:

•  Compiling data and reviewing literature on financial and environmental impacts of finishing age for beef cattle production systems.
• Working with the Beef Quest team to retrieve data from the on-farm task whereby data are currently being assembled relating to: animal nutrition and feeding practices; animal health management and outcomes; environmental/housing conditions; and, animal live weight performance.
• Support the experimental research studies which are commencing in 2026 and aim to characterise the live weight performance and methane emissions from beef cattle finished at pasture at between 26 and 30 months of age.
• Retrieve data from the experimental research studies as required for the modelling exercise; live weight & carcass performance, feed intake, methane output and health outcomes.
• Generate coefficients as required for bioeconomic and LCA modelling using data obtained from tasks within the Beef Quest project or from the literature.
• To interpret research findings and prepare scientific and popular press publications.
• To disseminate research findings to a variety of audiences as appropriate

 
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 complete all time records on SmartSimple in a timely manner.
• 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 Agricultural Science, Data Analytics, Environmental Science or a related discipline
• Relevant research experience not to exceed 3 years’ post-PhD
• Demonstrated research and technical expertise in modelling beef cattle production systems in grassland regions.
• Knowledge of Factors affecting the production efficiency and profitability of beef cattle systems as well as livestock greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation strategies.
• Demonstrated research and technical expertise in modelling beef cattle production systems in grassland regions.
• 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
• Evidence of teamwork and collaboration with relevant partners
• Knowledge of different Methods for quantifying greenhouse emissions in the Irish national inventory

Note:  Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.