Basic Function

The successful candidate will work on and manage the day-to-day operations of a recently DAFM funded crop research project(s) with a specific emphasis on combatting clubroot in arable (and horticultural) cropping systems. Titled SAFE - Surveillance, and Action for Fighting Clubroot in Oilseed, and in collaboration with partners in NUI Maynooth, this contract RO position is key to delivering on the primary goals of the project. In addition to developing a rapid plant and soil diagnostic test, the candidate will proactively engage with industry stakeholders to survey fields, collate cropping history as well as evaluate specific agronomic actions as a mechanism to mitigate against clubroot transmission from field-to-field. A major KPI required will be delivery of a tangible risk model to support the tillage and horticultural industry in managing clubroot via resistant varieties, bait cropping plus tailored agronomic actions.

Background

Teagasc is the leading research and development organisation in Ireland in the fields of food and agriculture research and currently has a vacancy for a research officer, with experience in crop agronomy/physiology at its Crops Research Centre at Oak Park, Carlow. The primary objective of the work programme at Oak Park is to support the sustainability, productivity and profitability of the Irish crops sector through the completion of innovative, through-to-practise research. The task ahead is to adapt to new climate and legislative challenges in developing economically and environmentally sustainable crop production systems.

Our research programme deploys a broad range of disciplinary expertise covering pathology, agronomy, entomology, computational biology and molecular genetics plus plant breeding that utilises conventional and genomics-based strategies.  Research staff work as part of a team with technical support and also develop active collaborations with national, and International research bodies. We have an extensive experimental land resource and a comprehensive range of plot specific equipment as well as crop measurement/phenotyping capacity. In addition, the laboratories and workshops at the Centre are equipped with the most up-to-date technology for compositional, analytical and/or genomics-based research purposes. This ensures that research and services at Oak Park are of the highest quality enabling Irish agriculture to keep pace with advancements in technology development.

Our departmental research programme is split across 12 teams, each directed by a research officer, who leads their respective team of undergraduate/post-graduate students, post-doctoral researchers and/or technical staff to address specific sectoral challenges and requirements. Efficient and effective crop management is a prerequisite to support sectoral profitability. The primary role of the successful candidate hired for this position will be to support this goal, by completing research that positively influences stakeholders in tailoring agronomic actions to mitigate the impact of clubroot pressure while delivering maximal yield/quality potential of Brassica crops, in both arable and horticultural systems.

• Design, manage and deliver the primary objectives of the SAFE project, with a specific emphasis on (i) developing a quantitative PCR-based decision support system to survey soils for residual clubroot, as well as pre-symptomatic clubroot in oilseed rape (ii) quantifying the population dynamics of clubroot strains in Irish soils via genetic analysis (iii) delivering a knowledge transfer programme based on real time data that will allow growers to proactively maintain crop hygiene through the growing season
• Deliver specific agronomic actions that minimize the risk and impact of clubroot pressure while delivering maximal crop yield/quality potential.
• Identify the primary modes of clubroot spread in crop production systems.
• Communicate research findings in both a scientific and non-scientific manner at scientific conferences and industry stakeholder events, respectively as well as publishing results in high ranking international journals, technical and/or popular press outlets as required.
• Support the supervision and mentoring of a designated PhD student that will be assigned to the SAFE project. 
• Develop and maintain active collaborative contacts with other national/international research organisations, with a specific focus on EU regions where clubroot has been characterized and agronomic risk mitigation actions are developed and tested.
• Contribute to the efficient operation of the Crops, Environment and Land Use programme and Teagasc as required, including the business planning and PMDS processes and complying with Teagasc policies and procedures.
• Liaise actively with other researchers in Oak Park and other Teagasc departments to link this research programme with other relevant programmes in Teagasc as required
• Work closely with Teagasc Knowledge Transfer Specialists/Advisors to ensure effective dissemination of research findings to advisers and stakeholders
• 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.