Kildare: 
Research Technician – Crop Agronomy (Temporary) 0088
The appointee, based at Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow, will work on the DAFM funded ImproN project, the aim of which is to develop a greater understanding of soil nitrogen supply to cereal crops in Ireland with a view to improving fertiliser N recommendations for arable crops. The aim of the current role is to provide technical support to a field research programme that will involve extensive assessment of soil nitrogen levels at a range of sites throughout the main arable areas of the country as well as assisting with establishment and maintenance of field trials with cereal crops and cover crops. The role will also entail ensuring that required data and samples are collected from these experiments and processed appropriately. The successful candidate will be expected to play a significant role in the smooth and efficient running of a diverse field programme associated with the project.
Background
The tillage sector in Ireland occupies about 330,000 ha and makes an important contribution to the agrifood industry and Ireland’s economy. The sector supplies grain for animal feed and as the raw material for Ireland’s important brewing and distilling industries as well as providing an outlet for organic fertilisers originating in both agriculture and industry. Teagasc is the leading research and development organisation in Ireland in the fields of food and agriculture research and currently has a vacancy for a crops technician at its Crops Research Centre at Oak Park, Carlow, which is part of the Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme. The main objective of the work programme at Oak Park is to support the arable crops sector of Irish agriculture. The task ahead is to adapt to new challenges in developing sustainable and environmentally sensitive agricultural systems which will provide farmers with adequate incomes and consumers with quality food at reasonable prices. More specifically emphasis is placed on optimising crop production efficiency having due regard to:
· Developing sustainable and profitable crop production systems
· Exploiting genetic resources for greater sustainability
· Improving crop quality to meet customer demands
The Centre has also national responsibility for breeding improved varieties of potatoes. Staff have close links with International research bodies and they participate in scientific, collaborative and exchange programmes. The laboratories and workshops at the Centre are equipped with the most up-to-date technology for analytical and research purposes. This ensures that research and services at Oak Park are of the highest quality enabling Irish agriculture to keep pace with rapidly changing technology.
The current vacancy arises as part of the externally funded DAFM funded project ImproN (Improving fertiliser N recommendations for cereals in Ireland) examining the potential to better estimate the supply of nitrogen from the soil to arable crops with the objective of producing better fertiliser N recommendations.
Estimation of the supply of N from the soil is a key requirement when determining fertiliser N requirements of arable crops. Currently in Ireland the soil N index system, which is primarily based on
- the crop grown in the preceding cropping season, is used to adjust fertiliser N rates according to likely
- supply of N from the soil. No account is taken of other site, soil or seasonal factors. The objectives of
- this applied research work are to identify factors that could be used to improve the estimation of soil N
- supply under Irish conditions and thereby make fertiliser N recommendations more site and season specific. Factors such as soil type, soil organic matter, overwinter rainfall, soil temperature as well as
- soil mineral N content in spring will be examined. The use of overwinter cover crops in advance of spring sown crops adds another potential source of soil derived N to crops which needs to be accounted for in fertiliser recommendations. An objective of the work is to achieve a better understanding of the effect of diverse overwinter cover crops on the fertiliser N requirement of a succeeding crop following their incorporation and identify methods by which this could be predicted. The project will also examine the effects of incorrect fertiliser N recommendations on the risk of leaching from arable soils by measuring the residual soil mineral N at harvest in plots where a range of fertiliser N levels were applied to the main crop. The overall goal of the work is to improve fertiliser N recommendations for arable crops to achieve agronomic, economic and environmental goals.
We are now seeking to recruit a highly qualified and enthusiastic technician to provide technical support to Teagasc’s research in this area. The successful candidate will be expected to play a significant role in the smooth and efficient running of the field programme aimed at achieving the goals of the project.
Job Objectives
· To assist in the establishment and management of field sites and experiments with cereal crops.
· To collect, and process as appropriate, samples of soil, plants and other materials.
· To carry out a range of laboratory analyses of material sampled from field sites/experiments including soil N extraction, grain quality analyses, threshing of samples and N content determination.
· Maintain excellent records of crop management and sampling details
· Liaise with farmers providing the field sites such that they are managed and maintained appropriately and necessary background information is collected.
· Health & Safety Co-ordinator Duties or such other Health & Safety Duties as may be assigned from time to time.
· To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
· To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
· 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.
· Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time
This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive. It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.
Skills Requirement
Essential Desirable
Qualifications · A Level 6 qualification, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in Agricultural Science, Soil/Land Management, Environmental Science or a related discipline. · A Level 8 qualification in a relevant discipline would be a distinct advantage
Skills · People and resource management skills. · Good data handling and computer skills. · Experience working in a methodical manner. · Experience dealing with the collation of data. · Full driving licence to be able to drive to and from field sites in Ireland. · Basic laboratory skills · Some experience with field experimentation. · Experience working with farmers. · Full trailer towing driving licence to be able to drive to and from field sites in Ireland.
Knowledge · Modern field experiment techniques. · Basic knowledge of laboratory processing of crop and soil samples · Knowledge of cereal production systems and crop fertilisation in a temperate maritime climate. · Knowledge of crop sampling methods. · Basic knowledge of experimental design.
Behavioural
Competencies · Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key partners. · Has the ability to problem solve and demonstrates a high level of attention to detail. · Demonstrates positive approach to new challenges and dissemination of new tasks
Other 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.
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.