Teagasc Research Scientist In Ruminant Animal Nutrition And Biotechnology (Permanent)

Teagasc Research Scientist in Ruminant Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology (Permanent)Open Date: N/A
Close Date: 06 November 2024
Location: Teagasc, Animal & Grassland, Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Co. Meath.
Salary: Research Officer with a Salary Scale of €40,580 to €77,284
Closing Date: 06/11/2024 12:00 PM
Job DescriptionPermanent. 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: To develop, lead and implement a state of the art research programme in ruminant animal nutrition including the application of state-of-the-art biotechnology approaches to the study of key performance traits in ruminant livestock production with particular focus on the following:
Feed intake, growth and feed efficiency of cattle and sheep.Rumen digestion, methanogenesis and nitrogen use efficiency.In addition, the interaction between genetics and nutritional management of the animal will be a central aspect of the research programme envisaged for this role.
Background: The ruminant livestock sector is a major contributor to the value of Ireland's agri-food industry. For example, the cumulatively the beef, dairy and sheep sectors account for almost 70% of the total value of Irish agricultural output in 2022 generating approximately €8.5bn. Teagasc plays a key role in developing and supporting competitive, profitable and sustainable systems of pasture based ruminant livestock production in Ireland. Indeed, working collaboratively with both national and international partners, Teagasc has invested heavily in the development of a cutting edge fundamental research programme to underpin its applied ruminant livestock research and dissemination remit.
Teagasc are seeking to appoint a highly qualified and enthusiastic Research Scientist in Ruminant Livestock Nutrition and Biotechnology to develop and lead a cutting edge research programme to underpin the continued development and sustainability of the Irish ruminant livestock based production sector. The successful candidate's research programme will have particular emphasis on, but will not be limited to, investigating the impact of nutrition on the biological performance of cattle and sheep, and how these management interventions influence both economic and environmental sustainability of ruminant livestock production.
The Grange campus is part of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre in Teagasc and has extensive facilities for field and laboratory research. These include pasture and overwintering facilities for in excess of 1100 cattle including 200 beef cows and their progeny to finish. Field and laboratory resources include state of the art electronic individual feed intake and methane emissions measurement equipment; in vitro based feed digestibility systems; an in vivo feed digestibility research unit and a suite of animal nutrition, animal health, microbiology and molecular biology based laboratories to support a world-class beef cattle research programme.
The current post will be a key appointment for Teagasc with national significance in further developing our standing as a world leader in ruminant livestock derived, pasture based, food production.
Job ObjectivesDevelop, implement and lead an innovative ruminant animal nutrition research programme focused on the exploitation of state of the art molecular based science to support improved economic and environmental sustainability of ruminant livestock based production systems.Design and manage experiments; statistically analyse and publish the resulting data.Manage staff and resources assigned to the research programme.Identify opportunities for cutting-edge research to address key knowledge gaps.Lead successful submissions for external funding, that is consistent with the Teagasc research programme, with the objective of developing critical mass in the area by building and supervising a dynamic team of post-doctoral researchers(s) and post-graduate student(s).Develop and maintain active collaboration with relevant national and international research organisations.Work closely with Teagasc Knowledge Transfer Specialists to ensure effective dissemination of research findings to advisors and stakeholders.Supervise postgraduate students to Masters and PhD level, in conjunction with colleagues from collaborating academic institutions.Interpret and publish research results in the scientific and popular press, at conferences (nationally and internationally) and to stakeholders.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.Contribute to the teamwork and team spirit in the Animal & Bioscience Department, and foster and add to further collaboration and integration across scientific disciplines.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.Carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Department, Head of Programme or Director of Research 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. Note: 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.
Post-doctoral experience in application of biotechnology to ruminant livestock based research would be a distinct advantage.Skills Research skills: Interrogation of published research literature, experimental design, data management, molecular laboratory based analyses, statistical analysis and interpretation of experimental data.Dissemination skills: verbal presentation/communication skills, scientific (peer-reviewed journals) and technical writing skills.Ability to initiate and lead a research programme.Capacity to successfully develop collaborative research links with national and international research organisations.Advanced bioinformatics skills with particular emphasis on metagenomics.Knowledge Nutritional factors influencing the productivity and environmental sustainability of ruminant livestock.Influence of diet and genetics in the regulation of feed intake, digestion and growth of ruminant livestock species.Knowledge of microbial mediated rumen fermentation of feed with particular emphasis on methanogenesis and microbial protein synthesis.Ability to work on own initiative and 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.Flexible approach to work with ability to prioritise tasks effectively.Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.Demonstration of innovation within previous research.A results-driven individual with a strong focus on goal-setting, performance delivery and accountability.A proactive, solutions-focused approach to work with an ability to adapt to changing requirements.Ability to set clear standards, to lead by example, with a quality customer service focus.Other As this role will involve driving vehicles, candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car 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.

#J-18808-Ljbffr