Post-Doctoral Researcher, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences / Environmental Research Institute

3 Years, Fixed-Term, Whole-time Post 

Position Summary

Basic Function:

The primary role of this Post-Doctoral Researcher position it to manage agronomic and nitrous oxide emissions in field trials within the ‘Soils’ work package of the Farm Zero C Project.

Specific tasks will include the measurement of herbage, dry matter yield & botanical composition, biological N fixation, nitrous oxide emissions and soil microbial community dynamics within perennial ryegrass clover based temperate grasslands. This research will be primarily based in UCC Agricultural Science’s new Sustainable Grassland Research site at Curraheen, Co. Cork but will also include on-farm data collection and field work at the collaborating research partner sites (Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy). The successful candidate will organise the daily operations of the project work package and will assist the Principal Investigator in collating reports and arranging project meetings. They will take the lead in data analysis and in writing progress reports, presentation and publication of scientific/technical papers.

Background:

BiOrbic, Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre is a national collaboration of over 100+ researchers, focused on the development of a sustainable circular bioeconomy. Farm Zero C (FZC) is a flagship project within BiOrbic. Farm Zero C is a collaboration between the BiOrbic SFI centre, Carbery and others to address the challenge of carbon neutral farming. The project is anchored out of the FZC farm in Shinagh, Bandon, Co. Cork. This farm is adopting the most recent emerging technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the health and resilience of the farm. The ‘Soils’ work package of the project will investigate alternatives to chemical fertilisers for pasture-based systems. This project is set in the context that agriculture is the largest contributor to national greenhouse gas (38%), ammonia emissions (99%) and nitrogen entering waterways (80%; rivers, estuaries, lakes, ground water). Based on current trajectories, Irish agriculture, and ultimately Ireland, will fail to meet its GHG and ammonia emissions and water quality targets under the ‘Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021’, ‘National Emission reduction Commitments Directive’, and European Water Framework Directive, respectively. At the same time, the Food Vision 2030 and Origin Green initiatives aim to simultaneously increase agricultural production, whilst also reducing the carbon footprint and enhancing sustainability of the food produced. The investigation of strategies to reduce our reliance on chemical fertilisers, within this task, directly responds to these significant and imminent challenges.

UCC provides numerous training opportunities for Post-Doctoral Researchers. In addition, the Post-Doctoral position 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.

Project Title: Farm Zero C- Alternatives to chemical fertilisers for pasture-based systems.

Post Duration: 3 years

Salary:  €43,908 - €50,302 (IUA PD1 Salary Scale)

For an information package including further details of the post see https://ore.ucc.ie/.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr. William Burchill, FBD Lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture (Soil Science), School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Tel: + 353 (0)87 3424340; Email: [email protected]

Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (https://ore.ucc.ie/). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to [email protected], quoting the job-title and project name.

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, 7th June 2024. 

No late applications will be accepted.

Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.

UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated.  As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC is committed to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff.  We encourage applicants to consult our policies at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/policies/ and initiatives at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/implementation/ and we welcome applications from everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy. 

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER