Duration:
Temporary Post-Doctoral Appointment. This is an 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.
Basic Function:
Methane emissions from enteric fermentation account for the majority of Irish agricultures total greenhouse gas emissions. Given that the agricultural sector must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by the year 2030 relative to 2018 levels, developing strategies to reduce methane output will be crucial to meeting Irish agricultures climate targets. In pasture-based dairy systems, methane output varies with intake, seasonality, as well as pasture-management, and species. In addition, when anti-methanogenic technologies such as rumen modifiers are used the methane abatement response may vary. Currently, in Ireland, a standard methane conversion factor, based on the proportion of gross energy intake assumed lost as methane, is used to calculate the methane output of grazing dairy cows. Additionally, there are no methane conversion factors that account for the methane abatement response when rumen modifiers are used. This competition seeks to recruit a post-doctoral researcher to 1) quantify the primary pasture effects on methane emissions, 2) determine the methane abatement response when rumen modifiers are used in pasture-based systems, 3) generate an international database containing methane outputs from pasture-based dairy systems to refine and improve the accuracy of on-farm and national greenhouse gas inventories

Background:
This post is funded by the Ireland New Zealand Joint Research Initiative (JRI) project ‘Emissions4Pasture’. This project aims to conduct a series of field based experiments evaluating the impact of pasture management and species type as well as feed additives on enteric methane output. An international grazing dairy cow methane database will also be generated and used to refine the methane conversion factor of pasture-based dairy cows. The position will be based at the Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Teagasc Moorepark is Ireland’s leading dairy research institute with national responsibility for all aspects of dairy production research which include grassland and grazing management, dairy cow breeding and reproduction, dairy cow health and welfare, milk composition and dairy cow nutrition, milking technology and milk production systems plus economic analysis. The research programme is conducted by over 30 scientific and technical professionals, supported by administrative and operative staff. Moorepark operates a total of 7 individual dairy research farms totalling 500 hectares and over 1,000 dairy cows. Facilitates include modern individual cow feed and metabolism units, laboratories, computer facilities, milking research laboratories and pasture-based Green Feed units for methane measurement.

Background to Teagasc Post-Doctoral Training Programme:
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 of the designated manager in conjunction with the Head of Department.

Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project:

• Contribute to designing, implementing, sampling and reporting on mitigation measures for enteric methane from pasture-based dairy systems.
• Undertake data analysis, and writing of scientific papers, reports and stakeholder communications.
• Database collation and interrogation.
• Establish strong collaborative links within Teagasc and national researchers and projects.
• Co-ordinate and contribute to knowledge transfer activities in the Emissions4Pasture project.
• Support specific project management activities of the Emissions4Pasture project.

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.
• To 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.

Essential

• Ph D in agricultural science, environmental science or a related discipline.
• Relevant research experience not to exceed 3 years’ post-Ph D
• Knowledge of mitigation measures for methane output from grazing dairy systems.
• Demonstrated research and technical expertise in the design, analysis, and interpretation of data from field studies.
• Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals etc)
• Excellent project management, analytical, report writing and data analysis skills
• An ability to collaborate with team members and Ph D students to help build research knowledge and skill and to guide professional development
• Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written, presentation) with an ability to enable effective knowledge and technology transfer
• Ability to generate new ideas, unique concepts, models and solutions

Desirable

• Additional desirable criteria can be included by the PI as required
• Comprehensive knowledge of the main factors influencing enteric methane output.
• Experience in setting own research agenda
• Evidence of teamwork and collaboration with relevant partners

Note: Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.