Animal Scientist in Suckler Beef Production (Permanent)

at  Teagasc

Location: Teagasc, Animal & Grassland, Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath.
Research
Salary: Research Officer with a Salary Scale of €40,080 to €76,519
Closing Date: 24/09/2024 12:00 PM
Permanent Full Time

JOB DESCRIPTION

Permanent . 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 beef industry is a major contributor to the value of Ireland’s agri-food sector. For example, the output value of the Irish cattle sector was 16% of Agri-food exports in 2022 generating approximately €3.1 billion. Additionally, beef cattle production is a significant enterprise on over 94,000 farms, which are widely dispersed throughout the country. Teagasc plays a key role in developing and supporting competitive, profitable and sustainable systems of beef production.
These production systems must maximise the use of grazed grass to capitalize on Ireland’s natural competitive advantage in grass production, and to contribute to the high quality, grass-fed reputation of Irish beef worldwide.
Teagasc are seeking to appoint a highly qualified and enthusiastic researcher to develop and lead a cutting edge research programme to underpin the continued development and sustainability of the Irish suckler beef production sector. The successful candidate’s research programme will have particular emphasis on, but will not be limited to, investigating the impact of animal genetics and nutrition on the biological performance of suckler beef cattle, and how these management interventions influence both economic and environmental sustainability. The programme will also investigate how to further increase animal performance from grazed and conserved forage. This will be a key appointment for Teagasc with national significance in further developing our beef industry over the coming years.
The Grange campus is part of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre in Teagasc and has extensive facilities for field and laboratory research. These include pasture and overwintering facilities for in excess of 1100 cattle including 200 beef cows and their progeny to finish. Field and laboratory resources include state of the art electronic individual feed intake and methane emissions measurement equipment; a feed digestibility research unit and a suite of animal nutrition, animal health and molecular biology based laboratories to support a world-class beef cattle research programme.
Indeed, Teagasc has an international reputation for research and development in grass-based systems of livestock production and the successful candidate will work with a dynamic and multidisciplinary team of researchers and knowledge transfer specialists across Teagasc’s Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme at Moorepark, Grange and Athenry.

QUALIFICATIONS

• An honours Level 8 qualification (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in Agricultural Science or a related discipline.
• A PhD degree in a relevant discipline

Note: While a PhD is an essential requirement for this post, equivalent research experience may be deemed acceptable solely at the discretion of the Director of Teagasc

• Post-doctoral experience in ruminant livestock based research would be a distinct advantage.

SKILLS

• Research skills: Interrogation of published research literature, experimental design, data management, animal and laboratory based analyses, statistical analysis and experiment implementation
• Dissemination skills: verbal presentation/communication skills, scientific (peer-reviewed journals) and technical writing skills
• Ability to initiate and lead a research programme
• Capacity to successfully develop collaborative research links with national and international research organisations
• Strategic awareness, innovation & change management skills
• Engaging and consultative leadership skills that demonstrate best practice in people and programme management
• Computer literate, with proficiency in the use of MS Office, Word, excel, Powerpoint and Outlook.
• Grass-based systems of animal production

KNOWLEDGE

• Genetic and nutritional factors influencing the productivity and environmental sustainability of suckler beef cattle.
• Factors affecting animal performance from both grazed and conserved forages.
• Factors affecting reproductive performance in suckler beef cattle.
• Working knowledge of the Irish beef industry and national and EU policy and legislation affecting the sector

Please refer the Job description for details