Job Description
Duration:
Permanent . 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.
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. The Research Officer role at Teagasc offers independent scientists an opportunity to build capacity and create collaborations with national and international partners to translate science into practice. Agriculture as the major land use is a significant pressure on water quality in Ireland. The impact of nutrient and sediment loss from point and diffuse sources on farms can vary with landscape heterogeneity and scale.
This competition seeks to recruit a permanent Research Officer focused on mitigation measures and supporting knowledge transfer within the Better Farming for Water Campaign at Teagasc to support and accelerate the adoption of 8-Actions for Change on all farms to improve water quality. https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/water-quality/better-farming-for-water/
The Better Farming for Water Campaign is a multi-actor approach involving farmers, advisors, researchers, agri-food industry, community and government to deliver solutions to address water quality at farm, catchment and regional scale and this role will be central to delivery of evidence-based science to support the ‘Right Measure, Right Place’ approach.
The role will develop research to evaluate the impact of mitigation measures on trends in water quality at farm and catchment scale plus strengthen collaboration with existing monitoring programmes such as the Agricultural Catchments Programme at Teagasc: https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/water-quality/agricultural-catchments/ and EPA Catchments Unit https://www.catchments.ie/ and LAWPRO Water EIP Programme, https://lawaters.ie/water-european-innovation-partnership-eip-project-for-ireland.
The successful candidate will join the Environment Soils and Land-Use Department based in Johnstown Castle (or other Teagasc Centre by agreement). They will work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative manner with other researchers across Teagasc and externally. As a vital member of the team at Johnstown, the appointee will contribute to cutting-edge research in cross-cutting areas such as gaseous emissions, nutrient efficiency, soil quality, agro-ecology, and land-use as they intersect with water quality.
Basic Function:
This competition seeks to recruit a permanent Research Officer as a Water Quality Catchment Scientist to work as part of a team to support the Teagasc Water Quality Campaign. The research will focus on:
- Implement and evaluate mitigation measures at farm scale to improve water quality in river catchments;
- Interpreting river water quality data to identify trends, environmental pressures and identify opportunities for improvement;
- Assist in the development river catchment plans to reduce nutrient and sediment losses to water;
- Make available river water quality data and pollution impact potential maps of river bodies to key stakeholders;
- Communicate scientific reports and presentations to key stakeholders;
The catchment scientist will works as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes researchers, specialists, advisers and technical staff.
Job Objectives
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- To lead the design, implementation and monitoring of mitigation measures for agriculture in Irish river catchments.
- Generate new knowledge on the effectiveness of mitigation measures for water quality protection in Irish farming systems.
- Build capacity at Teagasc for the selection of measures under different landscape conditions using the right measure, right place and right time approach.
- Build collaboration with other research groups within and outside Teagasc on catchment science.
- Establish new connections with leading researchers on water quality mitigation measures internationally and nationally.
- Pursue funding opportunities to grow a programme of research from internal and external funding sources.
- Engage with the Knowledge Transfer Directorate at Teagasc to aid in the dissemination and adoption of new technologies at farm scale for water quality protection
- Supervise PhD and post-doctoral scholars and build collaborations with partner universities.
- Publish scientific outputs in peer-reviewed scientific journals and develop research translation tools for dissemination into the KT Directorate at Teagasc.
- Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
- 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 oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations, including full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
- Carry out other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
Skills Requirement
| Essential | Desirable | |
| Qualifications | Candidates must have an honours level 8 degree as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications in in environmental science, agricultural science, engineering, natural sciences, or a related scientific disciplineA PhD degree in a relevant disciplineNote: While a PhD is an essential requirement for this post, equivalent research experience may be deemed acceptable solely at the discretion of the Director of Teagasc. | A postgraduate degree and/or research experience in catchment science would be a distinct advantage |
| Skills | Experience in water quality monitoringExperience in GIS and spatial analysisExperience in implementation of field, farm and/or catchment scale researchExperience in translating research into adviceExcellent laboratory & field skills, organisation skills, report writing and data analysis skillsExperience in data analysis using statisticsResearch skills: literature reviewing, experimental design, data management, statistical analysis and experiment implementationDissemination skills: verbal presentation/communication skills, scientific and technical writing skillsCapacity to successfully develop collaborative research links with national and international organisationsExcellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to enable effective knowledge transfer | Experience in monitoring environmental variables.Experience in farm scale water quality mitigation measuresProven record of scientific communications.Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches.Familiarity with laboratory systems and database softwareFamiliarity with field equipment for water quality monitoring |
| Knowledge | Excellent knowledge of nutrient (N, P) and sediment transfer to surface and ground water systemsExcellent knowledge of agricultural systemsKnowledge of statistical programmes for data analysisKnowledge of water quality monitoring data and trendsKnowledge of water quality mitigation measures in agricultural landscapes | Knowledge of the Nitrates Directive and its impact on farm management practices in Irish farm landscapes.Knowledge of the requirements of the Water Framework DirectiveKnowledge of agriculture and water quality issues internationally and across Europe |
| Behavioural Competencies | Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholdersStrives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programmeAbility to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transferFlexible approach to work with an ability to prioritise tasks effectivelyA results-driven individual with a strong focus on goal-setting, performance delivery and accountabilityAbility to work independently, and meet self-imposed milestones and deliverablesA proactive, solutions-focused approach to work with an ability to adapt to changing requirements and shifting work prioritiesAbility to set clear standards and have a quality customer service focus | |
| Other | As this role will involve travel between Teagasc centres around the country, the candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive unaccompanied on Irish public roads. | |
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.
