Background:

Teagasc have a large research programme on dairy-beef production which is focused on improving the production efficiency, profitability and sustainability of these systems. The dairy-beef research progamme is predominantly carried out at Teagasc Grange on a large pasture-based experimental platform with extensive supporting facilities for field and laboratory research. The internationally renowned research programme is carried out by a dynamic team of Researchers, Technologists, Technicians, Farm Staff and Specialists at Grange.

Better-Calf: (Dairy calf systems for resilience, welfare and sustainability in rural territories) is a pan-European project funded by Interreg North-West Europe which aims, through a combination of experimental farm studies, farm systems simulation, farmer focus groups and multi-stakeholder groups, to design, test and deploy innovations in grass-based dairy-beef systems. The project brings together partners from six European countries where dairy-beef systems are at different stages of development to develop and test dairy-beef systems under a range of the soil and climatic conditions which prevail in north-west Europe.

Basic Function:

We wish to recruit a dynamic and suitably qualified research technician to support the Better-Calf project with particular focus on: assembling and managing production data (live weights, feed intake, management practices, etc) related to dairy-beef systems; assembling of data on the labour requirements of dairy-beef systems on research farms and commercial farms; supporting the running of Better-Calf events. There will be opportunities to acquire new skills and continued professional development within the duration of the role.

• Working closely with the dairy-beef research team at Teagasc Grange, including the collection and collation of data from ongoing and recently completed experimental studies.
• To work with Teagasc advisors in selecting demonstration farms for the project and to collect and collate data from these farms on an ongoing basis.
• Attend project technical and steering group meetings and support the organization and running of Better-Calf events.
• To contribute to the teamwork and team-spirit within Teagasc and partner institutes and to foster and add to further collaboration and integration.
• 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.
• 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.
• Any 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.

 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.

Gender, Diversity and Inclusion

At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives, for the benefit of all in the organisation.

We are commited to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.

We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.