Location:
Moorepark Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 P302
Position:
Technologist
Salary:
Technologist Grade 1 with a Salary Scale of €40,580 to €77,284
Closing Date:
22/11/2024 12:00 PM
Job Description
Duration: Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 40 months, subject to contract. A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled; such a panel will remain active for a maximum period of 12 months.
Basic function: Dairy farms make a very important contribution to economic growth in rural areas. They also generate significant greenhouse gas emissions. The Food Vision 2030 Strategy sets out a vision for Ireland to become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade. Implementation of best practices for lowering greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms while maintaining profitability will be investigated on a research farm and on commercial dairy farms. Data collected on these farms will be used to quantify improvements in carbon footprints and implications for economic performance following the adoption of best practices. The adoption of clover on farms is one best practice that can substantially lower emissions. The presence of clover greatly restricts herbicide options for weed control, and in particular dock control, in grassland. Lack of good options for dock control during grassland renovation is an important disincentive for the adoption of clover and multispecies grassland on farms. This project will investigate sustainable practices such as use integrated weed management (IPM) techniques and non-herbicide weed control of clover and multispecies grassland with a focus on grassland renovation. It is likely that the range of herbicides will diminish in the future in line with the EU Green Deal objective of cutting pesticide use in agriculture by 50% by 2030. Hence, the need to develop non-herbicide weed management techniques for grassland farms.
Background: The appointee will be based at Moorepark Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy. This position is funded by the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine via the Research Stimulus Fund.
Job Objectives
* Liaise with farmers and other stakeholders involved in the project, facilitating data collection and providing feedback during the project.
* Provide on-going technical support to the farmers involved in the project.
* General dairy farm management with emphasis on lowering greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions.
* Measurement of nitrous oxide emissions from grassland.
* Assessment of greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from dairy farms using modelling techniques.
* Experimental recording and database management.
* Preparation of samples and sending samples to Teagasc laboratories.
* Collation of results.
* Ensuring smooth and timely transfer of research results to the relevant task leaders during the project.
* Explain the research to visiting groups.
* 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.
Skills Requirement
Essential
* A Level 8 degree (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in agricultural science or related life sciences.
* Good interpersonal skills.
* Good organizational skills – ability to organize and schedule work.
* Computer literate, MS Excel, MS Word and MS Outlook.
* Data management and data handling.
* People and resource management.
Desirable
* A postgraduate degree and/or research experience in agricultural science or related life sciences would be a distinct advantage.
* Proven record of scientific communications.
* Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches.
* Experience of managing a dairy herd.
* Laboratory experience.
* Experience with statistical packages and referencing software.
Knowledge
* Milk production systems and general dairy farm management.
* Sources of greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from dairy farms.
* Best management practices on dairy farms to improve efficiency and lower emissions.
* Management of plot-scale grassland experiments.
* Measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms.
* Integrated pest management with an emphasis on weed control.
Behavioural Competencies
* Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key partners.
* Has the ability to problem solve and demonstrates a high level of attention to detail.
* Demonstrates positive approach to new challenges and dissemination of new tasks.
Other
As this role will involve driving vehicles, candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.
Eligibility
This is an open public competition. Should a current serving Teagasc staff member be successful in their application through open public competition for this post, their current contract of employment with Teagasc will come to an end on taking up this post.
Note: The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.
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