Basic Function : This post supports the Multi4More project in investigating the effect of plant diversity (grasses, legumes and herbs) on the agronomic and environmental performance of multi-species grassland mixtures. The research includes sampling, analysis and reporting of measurements from experimental plots (including nitrous oxide emissions and 15N), and quantifying legacy effects on soil fertility and plant growth. Includes day-to-day supervision of PhD student and temporary staff. The successful candidate will co-ordinate and contribute to multiple knowledge transfer activities in the project, and will support specific project management activities of the Multi4More project.
Background to Position & Project: Johnstown Castle Research Centre (Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme, CELUP) nearby Wexford town is Ireland’s leading research institute on agri-environmental research, and conducts both basic and applied research on a wide range of subjects, including soil health, soil-plant interactions, biodiversity, nutrient efficiency, water quality, gaseous emissions, agri-ecology, and land use.
Multi4More is a 5-year project on multi-species mixtures that is co-funded by DAFM and DAERA and is a collaboration among Teagasc, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. Multi4More investigates and synthesises understanding of plant diversity (grasses, legumes, herbs) and fertiliser effects on multi-species mixtures to enhance agronomic performance, reduce nitrous oxide emissions, and increase environmental sustainability of forage-based livestock systems under lower-nitrogen conditions. Multi4More will transfer knowledge through stakeholder engagement; farm-based and online demonstration events and the development of targeted resources on multi-species mixtures for policymakers, individual farmers, advisory services, and agricultural educationalists.
Background to Teagasc Post-Doctoral Programme:
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.
The PD Fellow will, while working in conjunction with senior research staff, gain insight and experience into a variety of areas including the processes of project and budgetary management, publishing in peer-reviewed academic journals, writing grant applications, and attracting external funding; the development of active collaboration with relevant national and international research communities; the development of communication and presentation skills, leadership and management skills, and overall career development.
Modules will be conducted under the supervision and direction of the (Project Leader) or other designated manager in conjunction with the Head of Department.
Job Objectives
Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project:
- Oversee and assist with implementing the sampling, analysis and reporting of agronomic and environmental measurements from field and laboratory experiments.
- Implement appropriate methodologies to quantify the effect of plant functional group diversity and nitrogen level on nitrous oxide emissions and symbiotically-fixed atmospheric nitrogen.
- Quantify the legacy effects of plant diversity in mixtures on soil fertility and plant growth.
- Co-ordinate and contribute to multiple knowledge transfer activities in the Multi4More project.
- Support specific project management activities of the Multi4More project.
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.
- 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.
- 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 Required
This section outlines the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would be required to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on how well candidates satisfy these criteria.
Essential
- PhD in agriculture, environmental science, ecology, geography, or a related discipline.
- Relevant research experience not to exceed 3 years’ post-PhD.
- Demonstrated research and technical expertise in the design, analysis and interpretation of data from field and/or laboratory experiments.
- Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals etc).
- Evidence of stakeholder engagement and knowledge transfer activities.
- 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.
- Excellent communication skills (oral, written, presentation) with an ability to enable effective knowledge and technology transfer.
Desirable
- Experience with research and analysis of data multi-species mixtures.
- Experience in methodologies for measuring and quantifying nitrous oxide emissions and symbiotically-fixed atmospheric nitrogen.
- Evidence of use of digital media for knowledge transfer activities.
- Experience in setting own research agenda.
- Evidence of teamwork and collaboration with relevant partners.
Attachment:
PD1_2_dd2e65f7-8b91-4e3b-8270-5bf38729e2e8.pdf
Closing Date: 22/08/2022