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Research Data Technologist

TeagascDublinPermanent

Job Summary

Duration:

Temporary Externally Funded Non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 12 months, subject to contract. 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.

Basic Function

The successful candidate will primarily work on an EU funded research project called MEF4CAP (Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks for the Common Agricultural Policy), in which Teagasc is a partner. The goal of MEF4CAP is build new tools to understand the environmental and social impact of farming and the Common Agricultural Program, CAP – exploiting new databases, new networks and new technologies.

The project is in phase 2 and now needs to show how the approaches in phase 1 can be used in the real world. This involves building real case studies in Ireland and our European partners develop an appropriate methodology for the integration of data from a number of sources (e.g. administrative, processor, animal) to assist in the collection of farm-level data. This hopefully will increase our understanding of farming but also relive administrative burdens on farmers by using indirect methods such as using existing database fork unusual sources and technologies such as Earth Observation.

The successful candidate will drive the case-study approach on a small subset of dairy farms building the approach of integrating farm data and earth observation data to give a holistic overview of the farm performance, so will need experience in handling and analysing wide array of digital datasets. In addition, this research focused data analyst position will require participation in the writing of documentation to summarise the research findings and the production of scientific papers.

Background

The ABSA (AgriFood Business & Spatial Analysis) department of Teagasc, based in Ashtown, Dublin, is a national leader in the integration of geospatial data to better understand Irish agriculture- using field data, survey data, maps, weather, economic data and satellite imagery we use many different analytical methods (from Panel Analysis, to GIS to Machine learning) to characterise the performance and impact of Irish agriculture (see Map of the Month for some simple examples). The candidate will be working with a team of permanent researchers, technologist, post docs and PhD students all working in this area. The candidate may have to travel to visit EU partners for meetings and collaboration.

Exploiting these disparate data sources across the EU is the goal of MEF4CAP:

For Monitoring and Evaluating (M&E) of the CAP data are increasingly generated by farmers and current information and communications technologies (ICT) development in the agribusiness create new opportunities to integrate them. Data integration is needed and so are new ways of making sense of them to monitor and evaluate the impact of the CAP. M&E have so far been based on agricultural statistics and administrative data but with the new needs and possibilities, the use of satellite and sensory data will be increasingly important..

The MEF4CAP project is designed to draw on the insights and perspectives of all relevant stakeholders to identify best practices, ensure the inclusion of all relevant developments and to discuss the potential of widening their application.

The project will deliver a roadmap for future monitoring, where the needs of different stakeholders are met, and the potential of different approaches is fully and optimally exploited.

Job Objectives

  • The successful candidate will primarily be working on a demonstration case which will seek to fulfil a number of objectives:

  • Investigate the feasibility of automating data flows between external data sources e.g. dairy processor and a digital recording document for each farm, ensuring standardisation.

  • General database management and integration of external data.

  • Establishing database of Earth Observation created databases – such as the Copernicus Land Service data which tell us about conditions and crop growth.

  • Creation and maintenance of a farm-level digital data collection document.

  • Collect data that would facilitate the creation of both economic and environmental sustainability metrics.

  • If possible, a number of farms will be included where sensor data is available (this will be dependent on the capacity to leverage activity in other Teagasc research projects e.g. The Smart Agrihubs Flagship Innovation Experiment and Signpost Farms) and the successful candidate will be responsible for the potential integration of such data.

  • Undertake data analysis and validation based on a thorough knowledge of the agricultural sector and/or the impact which agriculture has on the environment.

  • To assist in the writing of scientific outputs

  • Interrogate farm management accounting and agri-environmental datasets, to facilitate sustainability measurement.

  • Use of computer software packages as required, e.g. ArcGIS, Excel, Word, Access, SQL Server.

  • 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 Required

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications

  • Candidates must have a Level 8 degree in Agricultural Science, Agri-Business, Environmental Science, Business, Geography, Earth Science, Economics, or related numerate discipline.

  • A postgraduate degree and/or research experience in any of the following would be desirable – Agricultural Science, Agri-Business, Environmental Science, Geography, Earth Science, Business, Economics or related discipline.

Skills

  • Excellent data management skills

  • Excellent organisation skills, report writing and data analysis

  • Good accounting, numeracy skills

  • Experience in GIS/Spatial data

  • Good communications and interpersonal skills

  • Good IT and data entry skills

  • A track record in use of excel

  • Understanding of Farming/land management

  • Experience in GIS/Spatial data

  • Experience of working with large datasets

  • Experience of software design and data management task automation

Knowledge

  • Candidates should have aptitude for research and knowledge of data analysis

  • Computer Literate with proficiency in the use of ArcGIS, Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, SQL Server (or similar)

  • Knowledge and/or experience in financial management/accounts.

  • Practical knowledge of farming, EU financial supports, farm enterprises performance.

  • Understanding of the mechanisms around the collection of farm data.

  • Understanding of agricultural sustainability with a particular focus on environmental issues.

Behavioural Competencies

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

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

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

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.



Attachment:


Techn_a0d0005b-1738-4456-9a66-6aead4885c08.pdf

The closing date for applications is Wednesday the 24th of August 2022

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