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:
The catchment modeller will fulfill an important role in a dynamic and well-resourced team whose primary objective is the assessment of the Nitrates Directive, Water Framework Directive, National Climate Action Plan and National Emissions Ceiling Directive legislation. This challenging work will entail the selection, adaptation and development, as necessary, of catchment models which are best suited to delivering the objectives of the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP). Model building will integrate hydrological, agronomic and environmental data from within and outside the programme. The successful candidate will be required to collaborate with other agencies, potentially including developing modelling initiatives with cutting-edge modelling groups. Among the resources available to the modeller will be the growing high temporal resolution ACP dataset of nutrient use patterns, water quality in rivers as well as hydrometeorological, soil, climate, greenhouse gases and physical catchment data. This will inform the development of a modelling approach that mainly include:
- Hydrological pathways
- Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), carbon (C) and sediment loss to water
- Emerging contaminant loss to water
- Quantifying N, P and C loss from derogation and non-derogation farms
- Influence of changing weather patterns on N, P and sediment loss to water
- Trends and future scenarios
- Up-scaling to river basins
Background:
The Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) is a national project of excellence, established in 2008, and is based on a stakeholder partnership. The DAFM has funded the ACP to monitor the effectiveness of GAP measures since 2008. In addition, catchment monitoring is required to support Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation.
The objectives of the Agricultural Catchments Programme are:
- To generate the knowledge to ascertain the efficacy and cost effectiveness of the Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) measures and the derogation in terms of water quality and farm practices
- To provide a basis for a scientific review of NAP measures with a view to adopting modifications where necessary
- To evaluate the effect of NAP on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions
- To achieve a greater understanding of the factors that determines farmer’s understanding and implementation of the NAP
- To disseminate this knowledge to a wide audience including farmers and other stakeholders
To achieve these objectives an integrated research, technologist, technician and advisory team works with farmers in six catchments in conjunction with Teagasc’s Research and Knowledge Transfer Directorates. This programme is managed by the two Principal Scientists and a Catchment Specialist. Close liaison is maintained with farmers and farming organisations at local and national level. The first four four-year phases of the Programme ran from 2008 to the end of 2023 and Phase 5 of the programme runs from the beginning of 2024 to the end of 2027.
The programme provides:
- Planning and technical support for catchment farmers to underpin profitable farming systems
- Baseline and monitoring datasets for farm production, nutrient and farm management practices, nutrient transformations and transfers to water and their impact on its quality. These are used to contribute to the national monitoring requirements of both the Nitrates and Water Framework Directives
- A transparent scientific and economic assessment of the effectiveness of the Good Agricultural Practice measures required by the Nitrates Action Programme. Modification of the measures to meet the water quality targets of the Water framework Directive will be identified, if required
- Evaluation of the measures taken to reduce agricultural GHG emissions by 2030 relative to 2018 levels. In addition evaluation of ammonia levels in agricultural catchments given the emission reduction target of 5% by 2030
- An assessment of socio-economic and behavioral factors affecting the implementation of the measures
- A platform for technology transfer, education and promotion which will use the output from the programme in the formulation of advisory and technology transfer initiatives
Job Objectives
- To select, develop and adapt, as necessary, catchment models which best suit the requirements of the programme
- Produce high quality, policy relevant papers for publication in high impact peer reviewed scientific journals using existing and new ACP data
- To address the scaling up of the ACP results to larger catchment, river basin district and national level including collaborative modelling initiatives with other modelling groups
- Modelling N, P and C losses from derogation and non-derogation farms
- To develop new statistical and modelling techniques using ACP data
- To implement a modelling approach to test the environmental impacts of possible future agricultural, regulatory and climate scenarios
- Participating in dissemination activities including scientific conferences, farmer meetings, open days, stakeholder meetings etc.
- Contributing to the preparation of interim and final reports on the effectiveness of the NAP and climate action plan measures
- Providing technical support to the ACP advisory colleagues in the catchments
- Contribute to the teamwork and team-spirit within both the ACP and the agri-environmental research department at Johnstown Castle and foster and add to further collaboration and integration
- Supervising and management of post-graduate students
- Data provision as appropriate for colleagues and post-graduate students
- 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.
Skills Requirement
| Essential | Desirable | |
| Qualifications | Candidates must have an honours Level 8 degree as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications in hydrology/environmental science/agricultural science/ ecology (or equivalent) | A PhD/ postgraduate degree and/or research experience in catchment modeling, ideally in the agri-environmental sectorExperience working at the soil, water, plant and atmosphere modeling interface |
| Skills | Excellent computational skills, including the ability to programme in R, or similarExpert soil, water, plant, atmosphere modeling capabilityExcellent model adaption, development, calibration and up-scaling skillsExperience in developing and advancing water quality, GHG and ammonia emission models to simulate the impacts of land use, climate, and human influences on the environmentExperience of using large data sets in numerical modelsExcellent laboratory skills, organization skills, report writing and data analysisProficiency in writing peer-reviewed scientific papers in areas cognate with the postProven ability to present research results to technical groups at international symposiaExcellent software skills, including GIS and statistical packagesExcellent one-to-one and group communication skills | Ability to programme in PythonAbility to initiate and foster potential collaborative partnershipsAbility to contribute to group discussions/ workshops with stakeholders in the programmeFamiliarity with high temporal resolution hydrometric and hydrochemistry equipmentProficiency in writing technical and popular articles and in formal and informal presenting to non-technical groupsAptitude for multidisciplinary approaches |
| Knowledge | Excellent knowledge of programmingExcellent knowledge of statistical analysis techniquesExcellent knowledge of nutrient dynamics in soils in temperate climates and the linkages between nutrient sources and the movement of water via different pathways from field/farm to groundwater/streams/riversExcellent knowledge of Greenhouse gases and ammonia emissions in the agricultural landscapesExcellent knowledge of carbon sequestration in the agricultural landscapes | Nitrates Directive and its impact on farm management practices on Irish farmsThe requirements of the Water Framework Directive and through networking, knowledge of similar issues on an international scaleCurrent developments relating to the mitigation of nutrients transfers from land to water |
| Behavioural Competencies | Willingness to work as part of an integrated advisory/research programme teamAbility to work independently if necessary, and meet self-imposed milestones and deliverables.Willingness to collaborate positively within the programme team as well as with outside agencies.Ability to contribute to group discussions/workshops with farmers and other stakeholders.Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.Flexible with an openness to change and an ability to adapt to changing priorities.Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.A proactive, solutions-focused approach to work.Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development, with an ability to align personal development objectives with programme activities | |
| 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.
