Duration:
Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 46 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.
Background:
The VistaMilk Science Foundation Ireland research centre (www.vistamilk.ie), which has been operating out of Teagasc Moorepark since 2018, is entering its second 6-year phase (2024-2030). The VistaMilk SFI Centre aims to be an agent of growth for the Irish dairy industry by being a world leader in fundamental and translational research for precision pasture-based dairying. VistaMilk’s vision for Phase II will advance the construction of a federated set of digital twins, each representing a module in the soil-to-gut pathway but with the ability for upstream and downstream communication and interaction – a system-of-systems. Such an integrated collection of independent systems for the dairy sector will enable whole system scenario modelling of a multitude of features and perturbations such as climate change adaptation, policy, farm advice, and research/hypothesis generation, the scale of which has never before been achieved. The outcome is informed direction and policy on how best to tackle Ireland’s unique challenges.
VistaMilk represents a unique collaboration between 14 Agri-Food and ICT research institutes and leading Irish/multinational food and ICT companies. The Centre is hosted by Teagasc, the national agency with responsibility for agriculture and food research.
The Centre consists of one Director and 11 co-applicants (applicant group; 42% female) with skillsets in agriculture (soil, pasture breeding and management, animal breeding and management), food (processing and food for health), sensing, communications, social and behavioural sciences and analytics. The applicant group are supported by 64 funded investigators (FIs; 42% female) from 13 institutes and 54 industry collaborators; opportunities will be created to expand this academic and industry team through the 6-year term. Over the next 6 years, VistaMilk will hire a total of 162 research staff comprising 3 MSc, 77 PhD, 64 Post-doctoral researchers, and 20 research assistants.
Basic Function:
Applications are invited for the post of VistaMilk Program Manager. This is a temporary full time post, the indicative duration of which is 3.5 years. The post will be based in Teagasc, Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996. Reporting to the Centre Manager, the primary role of the VistaMilk Program Manager will be to oversee the operational management of several research programmes of the center across the different research institutes and industry partners. The successful appointee will be responsible for the day-to-day operation and running of these programmes, including providing support to the center’s staff and reporting to VistaMilk partners and SFI.
- A level 8 degree, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in a technical or life science discipline or in management.
- A postgraduate degree and/or experience in management and/or technical or life science discipline.
- Experience and a proven track record in a project management or research administration role in an industry sector or research performing organisation.
- Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills.
- Effective communicator both written and verbal with ability to ensure compliance with deadlines.
- Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to manage resources effectively.
- Experience in the measurement and monitoring of performance indicators and budgets.
- Strong stakeholder relationship skills.
- Experience either in a company or a Research Performing Organisation (RPO) context in directly managing complex collaborations that are intended to deliver intellectual property to industry.
- Business development and marketing capability and experience.
- Proven experience in establishing and effectively managing meaningful and productive partner relationships between scientific disciplines and cultures both in academia and industry.
- Experience working within/with the Agri-Food or ICT, or related, industry
- Experience in R&D operations
- Experience of managing, interdisciplinary projects especially those that involve multiple sites and both industry and academic partners
- Some experience in the identification, protection and commercialisation of IP
- Client relationship management experience
- Knowledge of R&D and production functions
- Knowledge of IP and Technology Transfer
- Knowledge of developing start-up companies
- An ability to work on own initiative and to work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Organised and methodical with strong attention to detail.
- Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to building new and maintaining successful collaborations with industry and other stakeholders.
- Ability to communicate effectively to enable collaboration, and knowledge transfer.
- Ability to manage relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including researchers, industry, state agencies and others.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach to work.
- Self-disciplined with an ability o set clear standards and to take a quality customer approach to work.
- Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos
As this role will involve travel between collaborating bodies around the country, the candidates must have their own car and must also satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive unaccompanied on Irish public roads.
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.
Gender, Diversity and Inclusion
At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives, for the benefit of all in the organisation.
We are committed to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.
We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.
