Post Doctoral Research Project Manager

Duration:

Temporary Externally Funded Non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 13 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.

Location

The candidate may be based at Teagasc Athenry (Galway) or Ashtown (Dublin).  Other Teagasc locations may be considered, subject to management discretion and ability of the appointee to meet role requirements aligned to business needs

NOTE: Teagasc may appoint at Post Doctoral Research Officer Level 1 (PD1) grade.  See additional information below.*

Basic Function

The successful candidate will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team on the European FAIRshare (Farm Advisory digital Innovation tools Realised and Shared) project, funded by the European Commission H2020 Programme.  The Project Manager will support the coordination of the FAIRshare project and oversee the day-to-day running of all activities on the project including management of the 22-partner consortium. 

The FAIRshare Project

The successful candidate will join the FAIRshare project, an exciting European project, which aims to support farm advisors and their organisations to effectively use digital tools and services. Recent years have seen a rapid increase in digital innovation in the agriculture sector including the use of cybersecurity, big data, data analytics, robotics and automation, social media, cloud technology and mobile services. These technologies can support a more sustainable agricultural sector. The overall aim of FAIRshare is to engage, enable and empower farm advisors to effectively use digital tools and services. FAIRshare will help to bridge the digital divide that exists between advisors in different contexts and between their farmers, and will anticipate and respond to social issues and concerns related to digitisation in agriculture. The FAIRshare project consists of 31 partner organisations comprising a mix of research and advisory organisations from over 20 European countries and Teagasc is the overall Project Coordinator. The successful candidate will join the Teagasc team to act as the Project Manager with responsibility for day-to-day operations and project management of FAIRshare and its consortium.

Teagasc Post-doctoral Programme

The Teagasc post-doctoral programme provides training and development opportunities for early career scientists that enhances their experience of learning and equips them with the necessary skills for the next stage of their chosen career in research.

This is a research focused training role, the primary purpose of which is to provide early career scientists with the opportunity to develop their research skills and competencies.

The PD Fellow will, while working in conjunction with senior research staff, gain insight and experience into a variety of areas including the process 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.

Modules will be conducted under the supervision and direction of the Project Leader or other designated manager in conjunction with the Head of Department.

This advanced research focused training role provides experienced post-doctoral researchers with the opportunity to build on their prior experience and is supported by a modular training programme, which will include modules of relevance to enhance their development of specific knowledge and research skills, professionalism and communication skills, leadership and management skills, and overall career development.

*Additional Information: 

A Job Specification is outlined for this post outlining the role at Post Doctoral Research Fellowship Level 2 (PD2). However, where Teagasc fail to identify a suitably qualified candidate for appointment at Post Doctoral Research Fellowship Level 2 (PD2), applicants for the post may be considered for appointment at Post Doctoral Research Fellowship Level 1 (PD1), subject to shortlisting and interview.

Candidates will be shortlisted for interview by an Expert Board on the basis of the information supplied on their Application Form and Candidate Profile. In the shortlisting process, the Expert Board will examine the applications received and will assess them against pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the post. Candidates are therefore advised, in their own best interest, to provide a detailed and accurate account of their qualifications and experience on their Application Form/Candidate Profile.

The essential minimum qualifying requirements for both Post Doctoral Research Fellowship Level 2 (PD2) and Post Doctoral Research Fellowship Level 1 (PD1) are set out below. Only those applicants who meet these criteria will be considered.

It important to note that only one appointment will be made to this post with priority being given to appointment at Post Doctoral Research Fellowship Level 2 (PD2), subject to identifying a suitably qualified candidate.

The admission of a candidate to a competition, or invitation to attend an interview, should not be taken as implying that Teagasc is satisfied that such candidate or staff member fulfils the requirements for the job at Post Doctoral Research Fellowship Level 2 (PD2) level. It is important, therefore, that all candidates note that the onus is on the candidate to ensure they meet the eligibility requirement for the competition.

Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Level 1 (PD1)

Educational Requirements
Minimum of PhD in Agriculture, Science, Business, ICT or Social/Behavioural Science or related discipline

Experience

The Teagasc Post Doctoral training programme level 1 is a training role for early career scientists. Candidates will need to have less than or equal to 3 years of relevant research experience since their PhD was awarded.

Training Rate

€37,903 (min); €40,083 €41,940 (max)

Starting pay will be at the minimum of the scale per Government Circular E100/8/82.

Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Level 2 (PD2)

Educational Requirements
Minimum of PhD in Agriculture, Science, Business, ICT or Social/Behavioural Science or related discipline

Experience
Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years and no more than 5 years of relevant post-doctoral research experience since the completion of their PhD (determined by date of award) to be deemed eligible to apply

Training Rate

€43,128 (min);  €44,349 €45,610 (max.)

Starting pay will be at the minimum of the scale per Government Circular E100/8/82.

Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project:

• Monitor and coordinate the activities of project partners ensuring all individual tasks are delivered on time and in sync with the rest of the project.

• Act as a first point of contact for internal consortium partners and for external stakeholders’ enquiries (e.g. media, other research projects, policy or regulatory representatives).

• Coordinate the submission of deliverable reports and prepare progress reports for the European Commission.

• Responsible for day-to-day financial management of project budget.

• Participate in multi-actor activities on behalf of Teagasc (e.g. workshops, meetings).

• Undertake other tasks as required within the FAIRshare project to fulfil Teagasc commitments to work packages.

 Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

• To interpret research findings and prepare publications for scientific and popular press .

• To disseminate research findings to a variety of audiences as appropriate.

• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.

• To comply with all relevant Teagasc policies and procedures.

• 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.

• To actively participate in the Teagasc Post Doctoral Fellowship programme and review processes, and to undertake all Post Doctoral fellowship training and associated duties as agreed in the Training & Development Plan.

• To take up additional duties as may arise or as assigned by management.

This section outlines the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would be required to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.  Applications will be assessed on how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

 Essential

• PhD in Agriculture, Science, Business, ICT, Social/Behavioural Science, or a related discipline.

• Knowledge of Irish/European farm advisory community.

• Track record of researcher dissemination including peer-reviewed publications

• Proven record of collaboration with team members and PhD students to help build research knowledge and skill and to guide professional development

• Excellent communication skills (oral, written, presentation) with a demonstrated ability to enable effective knowledge and technology transfer

• Demonstrated ability to generate new ideas, unique concepts, models and solutions

• Excellent project management, organisational, analytical, and report writing skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

*Please also refer to job summary section for specific essential criteria.

 Desirable

• Aptitude for multidisciplinary thinking and communications.

• Knowledge of digital tools in business and agriculture.

• Experience in setting own research agenda

• Evidence of teamwork and collaboration with relevant partners

• Some European language skills.