Basic Function

A technologist is required to contribute to the EU-funded Soil Harmony project, which aims to harmonise soil sampling and analysis methods across EU Member States to support the implementation of the Soil Monitoring Law. The successful candidate will work as part of a large consortium who will develop and validate robust, science-based functions to convert national soil data into methods defined in the Soil Monitoring Law.  

The successful candidate will lead the Irish soil sampling field campaign and will be required to work across Ireland, sampling across a range of soil types and environmental conditions. Responsibilities will include the field data collection and recording, soil sampling, sample preparation and laboratory analysis, database management and data analysis. The technologist will also support the preparation of technical reports and project deliverables. Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, teamwork and the ability to deliver project objectives are essential.

Background

Healthy soils are critical for life on earth and are essential to ensure the long-term viability of the EU’s farming sector. An estimated 60 to 70% of European soils are classified as somewhat degraded or unhealthy. The EU Soil Strategy sets out a framework for sustainable soil use and steps to protect and restore soils. This includes the EU Soil Monitoring Law that entered into force in 2025 and applies to all soils to support the ambition to achieve healthy soils by 2050. This highlights the need for a soil monitoring network to ensure reliable consistent data on soil health. Although several countries have existing soil monitoring networks, comparing and sharing data between these and EU soil monitoring networks remains a considerable challenge. To overcome this challenge, the EU Soil Mission funded Soil Harmony project aims to develop and test mathematical formulae that can support standardisation and harmonisation of data. Soil Harmony will concentrate on sampling protocols and the analysis of different physical and chemical properties being assessed under the law.

The successful applicant will be part of the Soil Harmony project team and will work daily with the Teagasc team, engaging with members of the wider team in relation to selected project tasks. The post will be based at the Environment, Soils and Land Use Department in the Teagasc Johnstown Castle Research Centre in Wexford, Ireland. Teagasc Johnstown Castle is Ireland’s leading research institute on soils and environment related research and conducts both fundamental and applied research on a wide range of subjects, including nutrient efficiency, water quality, gaseous emissions, soil quality, agro-ecology, and land use.

• To provide day-to-day support to the Soil Harmony project participating in project meetings and to support reporting and management tasks.
• To help set up and run the Irish field soil sampling campaign - physical sampling design and implementation at multiple field sites and locations.
• Interaction with landowners to enable work to be carried out in a safe and efficient manner to minimise disturbance to farming operations.
• Soil sample preparation for analysis and management of data entry and logging of sample IDs into laboratory information systems.
• Maintain excellent records, able to digitally record spatial and temporal data in the field into GPS software or apps, input data into spreadsheets and databases.
• To compile soils data produced from the laboratory to facilitate statistical analysis.
• To draft technical and scientific reports.
• 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.

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 committed to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.

We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.