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.

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.

Basic Function

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 project management competencies. The PD Fellow 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.

Working as a partner in the EU funded VALPRO Path team, the primary goal of this position is to develop robust cropping regimes that support the intercropping of bean and pea; two important legume crops with potential to deliver added value to the Irish tillage sector. Hence, the candidate will lead day-to-day operations, be that establishing and managing multi-location field trials while also taking responsibility for the completion of laboratory/glasshouse based studies as needed. They will take the lead in data collation, analysis and in writing progress reports, presentations and publication of scientific/technical papers, while also liaising with other partners across the multi-disciplinary VALPRO Path consortium.

Background

VALPRO Path is a new €10M Horizon Europe funded Innovation Action, co-ordinated by Teagasc. The ambition of VALPRO Path is to co-create, validate and demonstrate new production pathways that promote the sustainable and circular production of plant proteins for food and feed across the EU.

But why is VALPRO Path needed? In essence, the European plant-protein landscape is not fit-for-purpose. Void of premium supply chains that provide financial stability and independence to producers, current systems focus too heavily on the production of feedstock for the livestock/poultry sectors in an attempt to counter the EU’s reliance on imported animal feed. Furthermore, current business models have been selected based on old value paradigms, with little consideration for nutrient capture, climate resilience, and circularity. In spite of European farmers receiving support via CAP payments to underpin protein production, the community remains too reliant on imports, with ~70% of the EU’s compound feed requirement imported to meet domestic market demand. Meanwhile, the real value potential of what farmers produce remains unrealized, depriving producers of income, soils of an important rotational crop(s) and society of sustainable dietary choices.

With an emphasis on underpinning economic value through nutrient use efficiency, protein quality, circularity and biodiversity, VALPRO Path is built on the principles of co-designing, demonstrating, and evaluating new models in an iterative manner. Supporting elements will co-develop and exploit technical/logistical innovations, demonstrating and evaluating potential through 5 ‘living lab’ innovative production systems (IPSs), designed to foster multi-actor engagement across diverse regions, crops and economic opportunities. This PD position is focused on delivering on the goals of IPS3, which is focused on maximizing the potential benefits of bean-pea intercropping.

Teagasc is a diverse and inclusive organisation with several research centres located around Ireland. The main objective of the Crops research programme at Oak Park, Carlow is to support the tillage sector with through-to-practise research that promotes both the economic and environmental sustainability of the Irish tillage sector. This sector occupies about 350,000 ha and makes an important contribution to the agri-food industry and Ireland’s economy. VALPRO Path is key to showcasing the real value of protein based crops to processors and producers, highlighting the innovative processes and products that can underpin the sustainability of the sector.

The Teagasc post-doctoral programme provides training and development opportunities for early career scientists which enhances their experience of learning and equips them with the necessary skills for the next stage of their chosen career in research. Appointees to a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Teagasc will undertake a Level 9 Professional Diploma in Researcher Development delivered by UCD. This Professional Diploma is a flexible and modular programme which embraces a blended learning approach to fit around the PD Fellow’s role. Modules will be conducted under the supervision and direction of the designated manager in conjunction with the Head of Department. The majority of the programme is delivered online with the remainder delivered in-person at Teagasc locations giving the opportunity to meet with other Teagasc PD Fellows. The Diploma can be completed over a 12, 18 or 24 month period subject to the duration of the fellowship.

Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project:

• Complete field and controlled climate experiments to support the goal of promoting the intercropping of legume varieties under Irish climatic conditions
• Complete accurate phenotyping of varietal performance in order to highlight optimum legume variety mixes
• Assist the IPS3 leader in the implementation, progress and completion of required deliverables of this important component of VALPRO Path.
• Working with VALPRO Path partners across Europe, develop management tools (e.g., procedures, guidelines, templates) to enable accurate data collection and full traceability for all partners involved in IPS3.
• Assist in the dissemination and exploitation of the results of the research through publication, knowledge transfer channels as well as public engagement and other appropriate routes

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

• To interpret research findings and prepare scientific and popular press publications.
• 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 they may arise and be 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.

Note: The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.