Duration:
Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 24 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:
We wish to recruit a dynamic and suitably qualified research scientist to support the Grass-BÓ project with particular focus on modelling GHG emissions from grass silage biomethane production and assessing sustainability criteria for forage feedstocks. The Research Officer will have expertise in bioenergy, more specifically AD, and ideally will have undertaken a PhD on a similar topic. Furthermore, they should preferably have experience in environmental modelling and sustainability analysis. There will be opportunities to acquire new skills, continued professional development and for travel to conferences within the duration of the role.
Background:
Ireland has ambitious targets to reduce agricultural emissions by 25% and to expand anaerobic digestion (AD) to meet 10% of current national gas demand by 2030. This includes the development of both farm-level and grid-scale AD plants. However, several knowledge gaps exist relating to the optimal supply of farm sourced forage and slurry/manure to provide secure and sustainable AD feedstocks in line with Renewable Energy Directive (RED) sustainability criteria.
Grass-BÓ will address knowledge gaps in relation to the seasonal, regional and farm-specific dynamics feedstocks for the AD sector including livestock slurry and grass-silage. The project will also explore whether adding legumes and diverse plant mixes to grasslands can boost the amount and quality of material available for renewable gas production. This project will provide a more detailed understanding of how much farm-based feedstock is truly available across different regions in the country throughout the year; along with how digestate (a by-product of AD) can be reused on farms in an environmentally friendly way. By filling these knowledge gaps, this project will create decision-making tools to help farmers and policymakers plan for the rollout of AD more effectively. Ultimately, it will support the growth of renewable energy in Ireland, reduce agricultural emissions, and strengthen Ireland’s leadership in sustainable energy research.
- An honours Level 8 degree, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Agricultural Science or a related discipline.
- A level 10 PhD in GHG mitigation, systems modelling, AD systems or a related discipline.
- Postgraduate Research experience in GHG mitigation, systems modelling and/or AD systems would be a distinct advantage.
- Excellent organization and project management skills.
- Research skills: AD systems, environmental systems modelling and data management.
- Planning, monitoring and evaluating the literature in the area.
- Written and oral communication skills: publications, conference presentations, awards and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals etc.)
- Capacity to successfully develop collaborative research links with national and international organisations.
- Experience working on a multi-institution project.
- Proven record of scientific communications.
- A demonstrated ability to engage with national and international stakeholders and research partners.
- AD systems analysis.
- Factors affecting the GHG emissions output from AD biomethane systems.
- Pasture systems greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation strategies.
- National and EU energy, agri-food and agri-environmental policy.
- Factors affecting grass sward composition and fertiliser management practices.
- Appetite to engage in research and generation of high quality research outputs with partners and agri-food stakeholders nationally and internationally.
- Ability to take initiative.
- Ability 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 agreed research programme.
- Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer
- Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos
Eligibility
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.
