Basic Function

The successful candidate will join a dynamic team within the department, working with industry and academic collaborators to design, manage and report on critically important field-based research trials. Across the disciplines of agronomy and pathology, the candidate will work with national and international partners to expand our field-based research and will also be required to complete glasshouse and lab tasks when necessary.

Background

The tillage sector in Ireland occupies approximately 330,000 ha and makes an important contribution to the agri-food industry and Ireland’s economy. The sector supplies grain for animal feed and as the raw material for Ireland’s important brewing, distilling and food grain industries. 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  technologist in the area of crop agronomy and pathology, at its Crops Research Centre at Oak Park, Carlow, which is part of the Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme. The main objective of the work programme at Oak Park is to support the arable crops sector of Irish agriculture. The task ahead is to adapt to new challenges in developing sustainable and environmentally sensitive agricultural systems which will provide farmers with adequate incomes and consumers with quality food at reasonable prices. More specifically emphasis is placed on optimising crop production efficiency having due regard to:

• Developing sustainable and profitable crop production systems
• Exploiting genetic resources for greater sustainability
• Improving crop quality to meet customer demands

The Centre has also national responsibility for breeding improved varieties of potatoes. Staff have close links with international research bodies, and they participate in scientific, collaborative and exchange programmes. The laboratories and workshops at the Centre are equipped with the most up-to-date technology for analytical and research purposes. This ensures that research and services at Oak Park are of the highest quality enabling Irish agriculture to keep pace with rapidly changing technology.

Plant diseases, pests and weeds represent one of the biggest challenges to Irish crop. Innovative solutions to these problems are the subject of on-going research at the Crops Research Centre where projects seek to develop integrated pest management (IPM) regimes to mitigate pest and disease pressures. This post-holder will be instrumental in ensuring that the unit can deliver on its strategic goals in this area

• Plan and oversee field crops research experiments with internal and external collaborators
• Contribute to the design, implementation and validation of novel IPM strategies of disease control in Irish cropping systems
• Liaise with the various industries involved in crop production to ensure completion of infield evaluations of plant protection products for use under Irish conditions as well as the preparation of reports for commercial partners
• Carry out field sampling, operation and management of field and laboratory equipment.
• Carry out laboratory analyses  of collected field samples with adherence to good laboratory practice and quality assurance.
• Participate actively in dissemination activities including farmer meeting, open days, stakeholder events as well as contribute to the generation of publication outputs be they technical and/or scientific.
• Collaborate effectively with Teagasc colleagues and other relevant national and international research programmes.
• Contribute to the teamwork and team-spirit within the Crop Science Department by fostering and adding to further collaboration and integration.
• Contribute to data acquisition, collation and processing in support of  colleagues and post-graduate students
• 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.