Anaerobic Digestion Research Officer

Job Summary

Duration:

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 Irish agriculture and land-use sector faces significant challenges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 and reach climate neutrality by 2050 as set out in the 2021 Climate Action Plan. In response to this Teagasc has developed a new Climate Action Strategy. This new post will be central to supporting Teagasc in the delivery of this strategy.

Teagasc are seeking to appoint a highly qualified and enthusiastic researcher to develop and lead a research programme in anaerobic digestion (AD). The successful candidate’s research programme will have particular emphasis on technological developments in AD technologies, optimizing the production of biogas, biomethane and biogenic carbon from agricultural feedstocks including conserved forage crops and livestock slurry, developing process based models of bioenergy recovery from slurry and agricultural biomass, enterprise level economic and environmental modelling of biogas production and the integration of AD plants into livestock systems, sectoral analysis of the development of an Irish agricultural AD industry. This will be a key appointment for Teagasc with national significance in developing our agricultural renewable energy industry over the coming years. The Grange campus is part of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre at Teagasc and has extensive facilities for field and laboratory research. A pilot scale AD biomethane plant is due to be commissioned at Teagasc Grange in 2022 and the successful candidate will be required to develop a research and innovation programme around this AD plant.

Teagasc has an international reputation for research and development in grass-based agricultural systems and this candidate will work with a dynamic team of researchers and specialists across Teagasc’s Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme at Moorepark, Grange and Athenry. The AD programme will also work across the Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme and the Rural Economy and Development Programme.

Basic Function: 

To develop, lead and implement a research programme in the area of agricultural anaerobic digestion with particular focus on:

• Optimizing biogas yield from agricultural feedstocks.

• Maximising circularity in AD-livestock systems with a focus on the valorisation of organic manures and digestate from AD.

• Conduct desktop, laboratory and field scale experimentation of anaerobic digestion and co-digestion of agricultural feedstocks.

• Modelling agricultural AD at plant, farm and sectoral level.

Job Objectives

• Develop, implement and lead a research programme in the area of agricultural anaerobic digestion. 

• Design and manage experiments; undertake statistical analysis and publish the resulting data.

• Manage staff and resources associated with the research programme.

• Identify opportunities for cutting-edge research to address key knowledge gaps.

• Lead successful submissions for external funding, that are consistent with the Teagasc research programme, with the objective of developing critical mass in the area by building and supervising a dynamic team of post-doctoral researchers(s) and post-graduate student(s). 

• Develop and maintain active collaboration with relevant national and international research communities.

• Work closely with Teagasc Knowledge Transfer Specialists to ensure effective dissemination of research findings to advisors and stakeholders.

• Supervise, in conjunction with academic collaborator, postgraduate students to Masters and PhD level.

• Interpret and publish research results in the scientific and popular press, at conferences (nationally and internationally) and to stakeholders.

• Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.

• 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 oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations, including full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.

• Carry out 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 Required

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a QQI honours Level 8 degree in agriculture, environmental science, engineering 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.

• Research experience in anaerobic digestion would be a distinct advantage.

Skills

• Experimental design, data management, statistical analysis and experiment implementation, report writing and scientific paper writing.

• Dissemination skills to a variety of audiences as appropriate.

• Ability to initiate and lead a research programme.

• Capacity to successfully develop collaborative research links with National and International research organizations.

• 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.

• Proven record of scientific communications.

• Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches.

Knowledge

• Key factors involved in the production of biogas from anaerobic digestion.

• Anaerobic digestion technologies.

• Renewable energy sectoral challenges and opportunities

• National, European and international energy policy.

Behavioural Competencies

• Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders.

• A structured approach to work, with an ability to work on own initiative, as required, and to plan and prioritise work by importance and urgency.

• Ability to critically analyse, problem-solve and demonstrate a high level of attention to detail.

• A positive, proactive solutions-focused approach to work.

• Ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences.

• Flexible with an ability to adapt to changing requirements/priorities.

• Strives for high quality work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.

• Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.

• Ongoing commitment to personal and professional development.

Other

As this role will involve travel between Teagasc centres around the country, candidates satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive unaccompanied on Irish public roads.