- Location: Johnstown Castle Environment Research Centre, Wexford, or other major Teagasc Research location subject to agreement with the Head of Department/Head of Programme/Director of Research.
- Research
- Salary: Research Officer with a Salary Scale of €40,580 to €77,284
- Closing Date: 20/03/2025 12:00 PM
- Permanent Full Time
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 Teagasc Water Quality Campaign. 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/
The successful candidate will join the Environment Soils and Land-Use Department based in Johnstown Castle (or other Teagasc location 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 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:
- Interpreting river water quality data to identify trends, environmental pressures and opportunities for improvement;
- Assist in the development river catchment plans to reduce nutrient and sediment losses to water;
- Evaluate mitigation measures at farm scale to improve water quality in river catchments;
- 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
- 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.
- 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 | An honours Level 8 degree (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in environmental science, agricultural science, engineering, natural sciences, geography or a related discipline.A 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 monitoring.Experience in implementation of field, farm and/or catchment scale research.Experience in translating research into advice.Excellent laboratory & field skills, organisation skills, report writing and data analysis skills.Experience in data analysis using statistics..Research skills: literature reviewing, experimental design, data management, statistical analysis and experiment implementation.Dissemination skills: verbal presentation/communication skills, scientific and technical writing skills.Capacity to successfully develop collaborative research links with national and international organisations.Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to enable effective knowledge transfer. | Experience in water quality monitoring.Experience in GIS and spatial analysis.Experience in implementation of field, farm and/or catchment scale research.Experience in translating research into advice.Excellent laboratory & field skills, organisation skills, report writing and data analysis skillsExperience in data analysis using statistics.Research skills: literature reviewing, experimental design, data management, statistical analysis and experiment implementation.Dissemination skills: verbal presentation/communication skills, scientific and technical writing skills.Capacity to successfully develop collaborative research links with national and international organisations.Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to enable effective knowledge transfer. |
| Knowledge | Excellent knowledge of nutrient (N, P) and sediment transfer to surface and ground water systems.Excellent knowledge of agricultural systemsKnowledge of statistical programmes for data analysis.Knowledge of water quality monitoring data and trends.Knowledge 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 Directive.Knowledge 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 stakeholders.Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.Flexible approach to work with an ability to prioritise tasks effectively.A results-driven individual with a strong focus on goal-setting, performance delivery and accountability.Ability to work independently, and meet self-imposed milestones and deliverables.A proactive, solutions-focused approach to work with an ability to adapt to changing requirements and shifting work priorities.Ability to set clear standards and have a quality customer service focus. | |
| Other | As this role will involve travel to research sites 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.
