Duration:
Temporary Post-Doctoral Appointment. This is an externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 22 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 Beef Quest project aims to quantify, the effect of nutrition, health and environment factors presently constraining animal growth performance and finishing age of cattle on beef farms and to assess their impacts on GHG emissions. Overall, the project will identify, quantify and rank the primary on-farm technical and behavioural-related bottlenecks negatively impacting beef cattle finishing age. Using this new information more targeted, high-impact and deliverable KT solutions can be disseminated to reduce the finishing age of cattle, thus improving the sustainability of Irish beef production.
We wish to recruit a dynamic and suitably qualified post doctoral researcher to support the Beef Quest project with particular focus on farm scale modelling of the bioeconomic and GHG impact of strategies aimed at reducing the finishing age for beef cattle and refinement of national GHG inventories with updated production coefficients. Whole farm models, including life cycle assessment (LCA), are widely used to model technological change and innovations in management practices on livestock farms. The researcher will use data obtained from on-farm studies and experimental research studies to augment existing whole-farm beef systems models to permit a whole farm assessment of the potential of greenhouse gas emissions abatement measures.
Background:
Reducing the mean finishing age of prime beef cattle from 26 to 22-23 months by 2030 has been identified as fundamental to achieving Ireland’s commitment to reduce the agricultural sector’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25%. Nationally, the mean finishing age is six-to-nine months later than achieved on grass-based beef research and high-performing commercial farms. To expedite a reduction in the finishing age of cattle, there is an urgent need to identify and quantify factors currently impeding Irish beef farms from achieving potential live weight targets throughout the animals’ lifetime.
This role involves farm-level modelling of the effect of nutrition, health and environment factors on lifetime performance and finishing age of beef cattle. Consequently, implications for farm economics and GHG emissions will be quantified. Furthermore, the Post-Doctoral Fellow will, while working in conjunction with senior research staff, will 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.
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. Appointees to a Teagasc Post-Doctoral Fellowship will be required to undertake a Level 9 Professional Diploma in Researcher Development delivered by University College Dublin (UCD).
This professional diploma is a flexible, modular programme which embraces a blended learning approach to align with the Post-Doctoral Fellow's role in Teagasc. It is designed to develop competencies and transferable skills in research, professionalism, communication and career development. The majority of the programme is delivered online with the remaining elements delivered in-person at Teagasc locations. This blended approach affords the Post-Doctoral Fellow the opportunity to meet and network with other Teagasc colleagues. During the course of the diploma Post-Doctoral Fellows will have access to a full range of supports including the UCD library, writing centre and careers centre.
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 Post-Doctoral 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. Modules will be conducted under the supervision and direction of the Paul Smith or other designated manager in conjunction with the Head of Department.
Gain first-hand insights into the Teagasc Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme from those who've lived it. Click here to explore their stories.
