Organisation/Company: University of Limerick
Department: Biological Sciences
Research Field: Biological sciences » Biodiversity, Agricultural sciences » Soil science
Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2)
Positions: Postdoc Positions
Country: Ireland
Application Deadline: 14 Apr 2025 - 17:00 (Europe/Dublin)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 40
Offer Starting Date: 1 Jun 2025
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme
Reference Number: 074968
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
The Post Doctoral Researcher will investigate complex environments and handle cutting-edge molecular and microbial techniques of the plant phyllosphere and rhizosphere and contribute to agriculture-related analytical methods. The candidate will:
1. Be actively involved in monitoring existing field trial sites (across European AllEcoSys project sites) using microbial and molecular techniques to determine microbial community structures and microbial functions.
2. Engage in stakeholder interaction to create a Living Lab methodology where various Agroecology applications from the Agroecology consortium AllEcoSys are integrated.
3. Write reports for the funding agency and manuscripts for publication. Project findings will be written up as reports and research manuscripts for publication as well as communicated to stakeholders.
The overarching goal of the European Agroecology project AllEcoSys is to promote an agricultural approach that improves sustainability and resilience through a series of agroecological practices. These practices will be implemented across Europe among stakeholders in a network of living labs, where farmers, researchers, and policymakers work together to co-create sustainable agroecological solutions. The adoption of agroecological practices aims to enhance soil health, increase biodiversity, and foster natural pest and disease control.
Minimum Requirements
A Doctoral Degree (level 10 NFQ) in microbial, molecular, agricultural or plant sciences.
* Evidence of experience in applying microbiological and molecular techniques in the laboratory setting.
* Evidence of handling rhizosphere or phyllosphere samples for microbial or molecular analysis.
* Evidence of experience with basic soil analytical methods.
* Evidence of writing draft manuscripts for publication in a relevant field.
* Evidence of presenting own research findings to a scientific audience.
* Evidence of engaging with stakeholders for dissemination and/or co-creation and co-innovation.
* Ability to work in a research team as well as independently.
* Evidence of successful publication in peer-reviewed journals as lead/first author in relevant field.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Specific Requirements
* Minimum of three years’ experience in applying microbiological and molecular techniques in the laboratory setting (at postgrad level).
* Experience in field trial analysis (sampling or planning or implementing).
* Experienced in extracting DNA or RNA from phyllosphere or rhizosphere soil for molecular analysis including PCR-based techniques.
* Evidence of molecular data analysis including handling and processing NGS data.
* Experienced in interacting with various stakeholders to communicate research findings and to co-innovate solutions.
* Experience in working in international consortia, willingness to travel to experimental test sites across Europe.
* Evidence of publishing research papers as senior or corresponding author in ISI cited journals.
Languages: ENGLISH Level Excellent
Research Field
Biological sciences » Biodiversity, Biological sciences » Other, Agricultural sciences » Soil science
Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4
Additional Information
RESEARCHER CAREER FRAMEWORK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK
Post Doctoral Research roles are considered advanced research training roles as part of the Researcher Career Framework. The purpose of this advanced research training role is to conduct a specified programme of research under the supervision of a Principal Investigator while continuing to develop skills and competencies with respect to the role and future career options.
Researchers employed on a Researcher Career Framework Contract will have dual goals in terms of a particular research project and their own career development. The training and development relevant to this position will be completed within the period of the contract in which time the researcher will continue to develop skills and competencies with respect to the role and their future career options. All Postdoctoral Researchers (Level 1 or 2) will be expected to participate in the Researcher Development Programme (RDP).
Employees of the University of Limerick receive a variety of benefits including:
* Employee wellness is a priority and a number of initiatives take place each year for the benefit of UL employees, see more at Be Well at UL.
* Preferential rates for access to the UL Arena swimming pool and fitness centre.
Equal opportunities at the University of Limerick
The University of Limerick is an equal opportunities employer, is committed to selection on merit and to the developing and maintaining a positive working environment, in which all employees are treated with dignity & respect. In pursuit of this, it is the policy of the University to provide all employees with an environment, which is free from bullying, harassment or victimisation of any form. You can read more about UL’s commitment to equality diversity and inclusion here.
Selection process
Recruitment Procedures used at the University of Limerick (UL)
The University of Limerick is committed to the Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment (OTM-R) of Researchers. The University of Limerick Policy for the Recruitment of Staff which reflects the principles of OTM-R is available on the UL Policy Hub. Full information on OTM-R at the University of Limerick is available here.
The University of Limerick uses a three-stage recruitment procedure: screening, shortlisting, and interview.
Screening: Initially applications for an advertised position are screened to determine if applicants have met the ‘Essential Criteria’ as outlined in the advertised job description. Only candidates who meet the ‘Essential Criteria’ will progress beyond this stage.
Shortlisting: Depending on the number of applications remaining, it may not be possible to interview every candidate who has passed the screening process. Therefore, at this stage the Selection Board for this position may review the applications which have passed screening and will select a final shortlist of candidates who in their view were most closely aligned to the post as advertised.
Interview: Once a shortlist has been finalised, all applicants will be notified of the status of their application. The final shortlist of candidates will then be invited to interview. We aim to provide at least one week’s notice to all candidates. The interview process may take the format of a standard interview and will include a presentation – you will be provided with details of this in your invitation to interview letter. Candidates may interview in person or also via video link – Microsoft Teams.
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