Basic Function: 

The successful appointee will support the research programme in the area of dairy calf-to-beef production systems which will include the delivery of the research programme as outlined in the Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre (AGRIC) research programme, as well as contributing to the writing of research proposals and grant applications. Duties will include grassland management, calf rearing, indoor feeding, animal health and welfare, health and safety as well as data collation and dissemination to key stakeholders. The role also incorporates a dissemination and communication function to industry and farmer stakeholders across all Grange research projects.

Background:

The beef industry is of vital national importance to Ireland.  Cattle production accounted for 27% of gross output from agriculture in 2021 generating beef exports of approximately €2.4 billion. Beef production is a significant enterprise on over 94,000 farms spread throughout Ireland. Teagasc plays a key role in developing competitive, profitable and sustainable systems of beef production. These systems must maximize the use of grazed grass so as to capitalize on Ireland’s natural competitive advantage in grass production, and to contribute to the high quality, grass-fed reputation of Irish beef worldwide. Teagasc are seeking to appoint a highly motivated research technologist to support the research programme in dairy calf-to-beef production systems. The research programme seeks to optimize grass production and utilization in sustainable dairy calf-to-beef systems. Thus, the successful candidate will have particular emphasis on novel approaches to the measurement of animal, grassland, indoor feeding and environmental performance for grass based beef systems. Grange is part of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre in Teagasc and has extensive facilities for field and laboratory research.   Teagasc has an international reputation for researching and developing grass-based systems of livestock

• Support the AGRIC research programme in the area of dairy calf-to-beef grass-based systems of beef production. This includes the management of dairy calf to beef research herds and supporting the relevant component research programme.

• To keep abreast of new experimental procedures, methodologies and instrumentation in the relevant research areas.

• Design and layout of farm systems experiments using both GPS and conventional technology and to establish experimental treatments as outlined in the experimental protocol.

• Management and implementation of research experiments as outlined in experimental protocol.

• Experimental recording and database management; including the use of databases such as AgriNet, HerdPlus, PastureBase Ireland and Oracle.

• Supervision of farm staff and students.

• To develop and implement a communication plan for Grange research studies in the form of print, video and digital contributions and presentations to industry/farmer stakeholders.

• Coordination and hosting of visiting groups to Grange and in-service training of Teagasc advisers.

• To support the writing of scientific articles and research and grant proposals including contributions in relation to methodological aspects of proposed studies.

• Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service charter and action plan.

• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes responsibility for health and safety on the farm and full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.

• Actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.

• Carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the Enterprise Leader, Head of Department or Head of Programme 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.