Animal Systems Modeller - Post-Doctoral Fellow Level 1/2 VistaMilk

at  Teagasc

Location: Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 P302, Ireland.
Research
Salary: Post Doc (Combined) with a Salary Scale of €43,128 to €51,314
Closing Date: 30/01/2025 12:00 PM
Post Doc Full Time

BACKGROUND:

The VistaMilk Research Ireland research centre (www.vistamilk.ie), which has been operating out of Teagasc Moorepark since 2018, is entering its second 6-year phase (2024-2030). The VistaMilk Research Ireland Centre aims to be an agent of growth for the Irish dairy industry by being a world leader in fundamental and translational research for precision pasture-based dairying. VistaMilk’s vision for Phase II will advance the construction of a federated set of digital shadows, each representing a module in the soil-to-gut pathway but with the ability for upstream and downstream communication and interaction – a system-of-systems. Such an integrated collection of independent systems for the dairy sector will enable whole system scenario modelling of a multitude of features and perturbations such as climate change adaptation, policy, farm advice, and research/hypothesis generation, the scale of which has never before been achieved. The outcome is informed direction and policy on how best to tackle Ireland’s unique challenges.
VistaMilk represents a unique collaboration between 13 Agri-Food and ICT research institutes and leading Irish/multinational food and ICT companies. The Centre is hosted by Teagasc, the national agency with responsibility for agriculture and food research. The Centre consists of one Director and 11 co-applicants (applicant group; 42% female) with skillsets in agriculture (soil, pasture breeding and management, animal breeding and management), food (processing and food for health), sensing, communications, social and behavioural sciences and analytics. The applicant group are supported by 64 funded investigators (FIs; 42% female) from 13 institutes and industry collaborators; opportunities will be created to expand this academic and industry team through the 6-year term. Over the next 6 years, VistaMilk will hire a total of 162 research staff comprising 3 MSc, 77 PhD, 64 Post-doctoral researchers, and 20 research assistants. Teagasc Moorepark are seeking to appoint a highly qualified and enthusiastic ‘Animal Systems Modeller’ to support VistaMilk’s ‘system-of-systems’. The successful candidate will develop the ‘animal’ sub-model in collaboration with other stakeholders to ensure delivery of the objectives of VistaMilk’s ‘system-of-systems’.
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 Michael Dineen or other designated manager in conjunction with the Head of Department.

• To improve the predictions of milk production (i.e. yield and composition) and environmental emissions (i.e. nitrogen, phosphorus and methane) from animal, feed and management factors.
• To evaluate existing animal nutrition models and refine their prediction capability for pasture-based systems.
• To develop bespoke (sub)models if necessary.
• To integrate the animal model with the soil, pasture and food models within the system-of-systems platform.
• To disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and public engagement activities.
• To assist in the supervision and training of postgraduate students.
• To contribute to the teamwork and team-spirit in the organisation.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.
• 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.