Location: Teagasc, Crops, Environment and Land-Use Programme, Johnstown Castle, Wexford
Salary: Technician Grade 1 with a Salary Scale of €36,946 to €47,985
Closing Date: 05/05/2025 12:00 PM
Funded Full Time
Job Description
Duration:
Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 23 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 Research Technician to support a research project called FERTIGO at Teagasc Johnstown Castle. FERTIGO: Improving fertilizing strategies by innovative use of Plantain (Plantago lanceola) in agricultural systems is a cross European project funded by Green Era Hub. The overall project is led by Université Libre de Bruxelles. The Irish component of the project is led by Teagasc and UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and is funded by DAFM and Teagasc.
Cover crops and companion crops have the potential to improve soil fertility by different mechanisms and their smart integration into cropping systems could substantially improve fertilizer use efficiency and hence reduce environmental pollution. In the FERTIGO project, we aim at identifying and integrating new species (and cultivars) of cover crops and companion crops to stabilize nitrogen in soils. The study will focus on plantain because of its reported biological nitrification inhibition (BNI).
The successful candidate will provide technical support to field-based research at the centre focusing on agronomy, water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and nutrient efficiency. The basic functions of the Research Technician will involve supporting field-work such as soil, water, and gaseous sampling, field instrument installation and maintenance, instrument troubleshooting, and in-situ sampling and analysis in the field.
Background:
Teagasc - The Agriculture and Food Development Authority in Ireland, is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agri-food sector. We are global leaders in developing innovative science-based solutions for the agri-food sector and unique in holding research, advisory and education functions under one organization.
Teagasc is expanding its research and Knowledge Transfer (KT) programme to rapidly advance the science and implementation of current and new measures to meet the biodiversity and climate challenges that farmers are facing. In addition to the new staff, there is a large capital investment to establish the National Agricultural Sustainability Research and Innovation Centre (NASRIC) at Johnstown Castle.
Job Objectives
* Sampling at field sites and locations for environmental research projects on agronomy, soil chemistry, water quality, and gaseous emissions.
* Field instrument installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of monitoring equipment.
* Maintenance and calibration of field equipment for environmental research.
* Manage sample archives, consumables, and equipment items.
* Manage data entry and logging of sample IDs into laboratory information systems.
* Maintain excellent records, input data into spreadsheets and databases, and contribute to the compilation, analysis, and presentation of data/results.
* Health & Safety Co-ordinator Duties or such other Health & Safety Duties as may be assigned from time to time.
* 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.
* 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.
* A level 7 qualification in Environmental or Agricultural Science would be a distinct advantage.
Skills
* People and resource management skills.
* Data handling and computer skills.
* Sample collection and fieldwork.
* Familiarity with fieldwork for environmental research and monitoring.
* Basic laboratory skills.
* Basic sampling skills.
* Field instrumentation installation and maintenance.
* GIS and data-management skills.
* Good group communication and presentation skills.
Knowledge
* Knowledge of Irish agricultural landscapes.
* Knowledge of monitoring and analysis of environmental samples such as soil, water, and gas.
* Knowledge of instrument calibration and validation.
* Technical competency in field equipment.
* Knowledge of water quality monitoring and soil survey/sampling.
* Good knowledge of farm management and practice.
* Knowledge of laboratory and field equipment operation.
* Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating, and building relationships with key stakeholders.
* Has the ability to problem-solve and demonstrates a high level of attention to detail.
* Demonstrates a positive approach to new challenges and dissemination of new tasks.
* Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos.
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.
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.
Note: Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.
Gender, Diversity and Inclusion
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 the organisation.
We are committed to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.
We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.
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