Contract Research Officer - Research and Extension of Sustainable Nutrient Use

Duration:

Temporary Externally Funded Non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 36 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 position will entail taking a lead role in the NOVAFERT project taking charge of the Teagasc lead deliverables. These include mapping the current alternative fertilizing products available based on national and previous project knowledge. Also, the selection of living labs or demos to be considered as lighthouse demos working with front farmers using bio-based alternative fertilisers as part of their fertiliser programme. The successful candidate will maintain good communication with the project partners and the project coordinator and project staff including Teagasc specialist and KT collaborators.

Backround 

The availability, cost and safety of nutrients of critical importance to Europe for food security and to the productivity of the rural economy and communities. Recent world events have highlighted our dependence on imported nutrient sources. The Horizon Europe project NOVAFERT will focus on reducing our reliance on imported mineral fertilisers by promoting and demonstrating the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of a wide portfolio of nutrients recovered from waste streams which would otherwise be lost. The project gathers nine multidisciplinary actors from around Europe to address this very topical issue.

• Communicating effectively with the project partners to capture to map out the available bio-based recycled alternative fertiliser sources available and to compile the required reports for the EU Commission who are funding this work.

• Contribute to developing the opportunities for nutrient recycling through alternative fertilisers in Irish and European agricultural systems while demonstrating them to farmers and engaging with farmers, other interested stakeholders and the front farmer network.

• Play a lead role in the coordination of the demonstration and/or validation of optimization technologies, tools.

• Work closely with the Teagasc project lead, farmers and collaborating Teagasc Specialists and advisors.

• 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.

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a QQI honours Level 8 degree in Agricultural, Environmental, Plant Science, Soil Science, Nutrient Management or a related discipline.

• A postgraduate degree and research experience relating to agricultural extension/ knowledge transfer and/or nutrient cycling will be a distinct advantage.

Skills

• Fluent in spoken and written English.

• Ability to write reports.

• Skilled in knowledge transfer to farmers.

• A strong understanding of Irish Agriculture systems.

• Ability to write research papers.

• Familiarity with running field experiments/ demonstrations.

• Excellent organization skills and report writing skills.

• Ability to engage with an build rapport with project partners, farmers, advisors  and industry stakeholders.

• Skilled in communications.

• Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches.

Knowledge

• Knowledge transfer and demo approaches.

• Irish and European Agricultural systems.

• Nutrient cycling particularly C, N, P, K.

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.

• Ability to work independently and meet self-imposed milestones.

• Ability to and willingness to travel within Europe for project meeting and demo work package coordination.

• Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.

• Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.

Other

As this role will involved driving vehicles, 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.