Location: Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, P61 C997
Research
Salary: Research Officer with a Salary Scale of €40,580 to €77,284
Closing Date: 24/01/2025 12:00 PM
Funded Full Time
Job Description
Duration:
Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 45.5 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:
Methane emissions from enteric fermentation account for the majority of Irish agriculture's total greenhouse gas emissions profile. Accurate quantification of enteric methane output is extremely important, as it allows for an accurate assessment of greenhouse gas emissions at a national level while also allowing for investigation into anti-methanogenic strategies. This post aims to recruit a research officer to manage a series of targeted field-based experiments across dairy cows and replacement heifers across differing production systems relevant to Irish conditions. The results from these experiments will be collated and combined with historic data to generate the first large scale enteric methane database for dairy animals in Ireland. This database will be used to generate country-specific methane conversion factors for dairy cows and replacement dairy heifers in Ireland and enable the agricultural industry to accurately quantify methane output from enteric fermentation, while also allowing for more proactive decisions to be made in relation to mitigation strategies.
Background:
This post is funded by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine through the ‘Rumenventory’ project. This project aims to conduct a series of field-based experiments evaluating the impact of animal characteristics and pasture/forage management on enteric methane output from pasture-based dairy systems in Ireland. The position will be based at the Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Teagasc Moorepark is Ireland’s leading dairy research institute with national responsibility for all aspects of dairy production research. The research programme is conducted by over 30 scientific and technical professionals, supported by administrative and operative staff. Moorepark operates a total of 7 individual dairy research farms totalling 500 hectares and over 1,000 dairy cows.
Job Objectives
* Contribute to designing, implementing, sampling and reporting on experiments evaluating enteric methane output from pasture-based dairy systems.
* Collate and statistically analyse datasets.
* Interpret and publish research results in the scientific and popular press, and at conferences (nationally and internationally).
* Establish strong collaborative links with national and international researchers and projects.
* Co-ordinate and contribute to knowledge transfer activities in the Rumenventory project.
* Support specific project management activities of the Rumenventory project.
* Disseminate research findings to a variety of audiences as appropriate.
* Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
* Participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
* Co-operate with management in ensuring health, safety and welfare compliance.
* Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
Skills Requirement
Essential
* An honours Level 8 degree, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent in Agricultural Science or a related discipline).
Desirable
* PhD in a relevant discipline.
Skills/Knowledge
* Research skills: Critical analysis of the published literature, experimental design and execution, data management, statistical analysis, modelling and data interpretation.
* Dissemination skills: verbal presentation/communication skills, scientific (peer-reviewed journals) and technical writing skills.
* Comprehensive knowledge of the factors influencing enteric methane output.
* Organizational skills.
* People and resource management skills.
* Research experience in enteric methane emissions in pasture-based settings.
* Knowledge of effective mitigation measures for enteric methane output in pastoral settings.
Behavioural Competencies
* Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.
* Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.
* Ability to work independently and meet self-imposed milestones and deliverables.
Other
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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