Duration:
Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 44 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 technician will be involved in securing seed, sowing, cultivation and harvest of the multi-location trials. They will be taking measurements in the field and analyse quality traits in the lab with milling/grinding the grain, protein analysis by LECO, Falling Number instrument and further grain quality tests. They will record the data in processable formats and store the data and will participate in outreach events to disseminate the findings of the project.
Background:
The majority of Ireland's wheat crop is grown for feed, with 83% of Ireland's flour being imported. The project FIELD2FLOUR Ireland proposes a comprehensive research initiative, to highlight the potential of reestablishing a sustainable wheat milling sector in Ireland. The project focuses on agronomy, climate resilience, milling quality and food innovation, with the overarching goal of enhancing food security in Ireland. Amid growing pressure to develop climate-resilient and locally-sourced bio-based food systems, spring wheat for added-value product development is an underexplored opportunity in the Irish tillage sector. FIELD2FLOUR Ireland will initially address the food processing potential of the current spring wheat recommended list, using previously unexplored natural food bioprocessing technologies.
Building on findings from, and in collaboration with the DAFM-funded Protein-I project, the FIELD2FLOUR Ireland initiative will expand this research to include new, future-proofed spring wheat varieties tailored for food applications. Collaborating with Irish grain merchants and farmers, the project team will trial new international spring wheat varieties at selected sites across the country. The FIELD2FLOUR Ireland team will investigate agronomic performance, grain quality, milling characteristics and food innovation in selected spring wheat cultivars.
- A Level 6 qualification, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent) in agriculture, biology or a similar discipline
- A Level 7 qualification in qualification in agriculture with a focus on crop science/agronomy would be a distinct advantage
- People and resource management skills
- Data handing and computer skills
- Field trial and field equipment experience
- Crop husbandry (agronomy, plant pathology, weeds)
- Conducting field experiments
- Field crops grown in Ireland
- Grain quality compounds
- Experimental design
- Statistics
- Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders.
- As the ability to problem solve and demonstrates a high level of attention to detail
- Demonstrates a positive approach to new challenges and dissemination of new tasks.
- Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos
- 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.
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.
Note: Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.
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 commited to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.
We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.
