Duration:
Temporary Post-Doctoral Appointment. This is an externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 22 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:
This competition seeks to recruit a post-doctoral researcher to join the AEROBIOMICS project. In collaboration with European and Australian partners, AEROBIOMICS aims to develop and validate aerobiome fungicide resistance genomic surveillances for key fungal pathogens of cereal crops. The successful candidate will be directly involved in developing, optimising and trialling the various molecular methods for the detection of fungicide resistance in Zymoseptoria tritici and Ramularia collo-cygni.
Background:
The fellowship is being undertaken as part of the AEROBIOMICS project, an international collaboration funded under JPIAMR, with Teagasc’s involvement funded by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Using long-read nanopore sequencing, the distribution and abundance of fungal species in and around cereal crops will be determined, with subsequent analysis confirming the presence and frequencies of key fungicide resistance alleles.
This research will be undertaken at the Crops Research Centre located at Oak Park Carlow, which is part of the Teagasc Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme. The Teagasc Crop Research Centre at Oak Park is internationally recognised as a centre for excellence to conduct crop protection research, with a major focus on monitoring key cereal pathogens for the presence and impacts of fungicide resistance.
This is a research-focused training role, the primary purpose of which is to provide early career scientists with the opportunity to develop their research skills and competencies.
Job Objectives:
Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project:
* To develop and optimise long-read sequencing methods to detect fungicide resistance in key fungal pathogens of importance to Irish cereal crops, e.g. Zymoseptoria tritici.
* To establish and operate spore samplers to monitor airborne inoculum in and around cereal fields in Ireland.
* To establish and determine the sensitivity of national collections of Z. tritici and Ramularia collo-cygni.
* To liaise with international partners involved in the AEROBIOMICS project to ensure coordinated sample collection, analysis, and dissemination of findings.
* Additional Duties & Responsibilities:
* To interpret research findings and prepare scientific and popular press publications.
* To disseminate research findings to a variety of audiences as appropriate.
* To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
* To comply with all relevant Teagasc policies and procedures.
* To fully cooperate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of themselves, fellow staff, and non-Teagasc staff.
* To actively participate in the Teagasc Post-Doctoral Fellowship programme and review processes, and to undertake all Post-Doctoral Fellowship training and associated duties as agreed in the Training & Development Plan.
* To take up additional duties as they may arise and be assigned by management.
Skills Requirement:
Essential:
* PhD in microbiology, plant pathology or related discipline.
* Relevant research experience not to exceed 3 years’ post-PhD.
* Demonstrated research and technical expertise in molecular biology.
* Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals etc).
* Excellent project management, analytical, report writing and data analysis skills.
* An ability to collaborate with team members and PhD students to help build research knowledge and skill and to guide professional development.
* Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos.
* Excellent communication skills (oral, written, presentation) with an ability to enable effective knowledge and technology transfer.
* Ability to generate new ideas, unique concepts, models and solutions.
Desirable:
* Experience in monitoring fungicide resistance.
* Experience in long read sequencing (ONT) and subsequent analysis.
* Experience in setting own research agenda.
* Evidence of teamwork and collaboration with relevant partners.
Why Join Us?
* At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives for the benefit of all in our organisation.
* We are committed to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers and Active Inclusion'. We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.
* Be part of a forward-thinking organisation committed to positive change.
* Work in a collaborative environment that values your unique perspective.
* Drive initiatives that make a lasting impact on workplace culture.
Join Teagasc in creating a workplace where everyone thrives and diversity is celebrated.
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