Job for Researchers: Contract Research Officer Agricultural Systems Modeller (Grass-BÓ)

About the Role

Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, seeks a skilled modeller to join its Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre at Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Moorepark is Ireland’s leading dairy research institute, home to over 30 scientific and technical professionals, 500 hectares of research farms, and more than 1,000 dairy cows. Ireland has committed to reducing agricultural emissions by 25% and expanding anaerobic digestion (AD) to meet 10% of national gas demand by 2030. This role will support those targets by simulating forage surplus and slurry availability for AD across representative Irish dairy and beef farming systems. You will further develop the MoSt GG model to simulate grass, grass–white clover, and grass–red clover swards, and extend the Pasture-Based Herd Dynamic Model (PBHDM) to cover beef systems. Your outputs will provide a comprehensive national dataset of forage balances and slurry production, enabling farm- and regional-scale AD feasibility assessments in line with the Renewable Energy Directive sustainability criteria.

Responsibilities

• Enhance the MoSt GG model by incorporating red clover, expanding its capacity to simulate diverse grassland systems relevant to AD feedstock supply.
• Generate a nationwide dataset of simulated biomass yields and seasonal availability over the past 10–20 years, covering different sward systems under varied fertiliser management, for use in downstream AD modelling.
• Extend the PBHDM model to simulate beef production systems alongside its existing dairy functionality.
• Simulate dairy and beef production systems, including dynamic representations of forage use, surplus availability, animal housing patterns, and slurry generation.
• Quantify regionally representative forage balances and slurry production across diverse Irish farming systems, providing spatially and temporally resolved data to support AD feasibility at farm and regional scales.
• Disseminate project findings, engage in reporting duties, contribute to teamwork, assist with Teagasc’s Quality Customer Service commitments, participate in annual business planning and PMDS processes, and fully comply with health, safety, and welfare obligations.
• Undertake any other duties as assigned from time to time.

Requirements

Essential

• An honours Level 8 degree (NFQ or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Data Science, or a related discipline.
• Strong expertise in biological or agricultural systems modelling, particularly grassland or livestock systems.
• Proven experience with programming and data analysis tools (e.g., R, Python).
• Proven ability to manage, analyse, and interpret large datasets.
• Strong knowledge of the Irish grassland sector.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and external collaborators.
• Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and potential for future scholarly output.
• Behavioural competencies: ambition and willingness to initiate new projects; excellent oral, written, and presentation skills; ability to work independently and meet self-imposed milestones; ability to collaborate with team members and guide professional development; commitment to high-quality work and teamwork aligned with the Teagasc Together ethos.
• Legal requirement to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads (must be satisfied throughout employment).

Desirable

• A PhD (Level 10) in Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Data Science, or a related discipline.
• Experience in mechanistic modelling and C++ programming.
• Prior knowledge and use of the MoSt GG model and/or the PBHDM model.

How to Apply

This is an open public competition. Candidates must meet all essential qualifications, knowledge, skills, and behavioural competencies listed; these will be used to select suitable applicants. Should a current Teagasc staff member be successful, their existing contract will end upon taking up this post. Candidates must continue to satisfy the legal driving requirement throughout their employment with Teagasc.

Original vacancy