Research Support Officer

Job Summary

Duration:

Temporary contract post, the indicative duration of which is 6-9 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

Teagasc are seeking a highly-motivated professional with an understanding of European and/or Irish funding programmes. The successful candidate will have a key position in the Research Directorate, supporting staff and management in all aspects of grant applications, contract negotiation and reporting.

The successful candidate should be capable of building relationships with researchers and other internal stakeholders as well as key individuals in funding agencies and collaborating institutions.

Background

Teagasc is the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority. Teagasc research has a clearly visible and documented impact on the Irish agri-food sector. The core research foci of Teagasc have been selected by the Irish government as two of the fourteen prioritized research areas for national funding. The European Commission has identified food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment as one of six clusters to be funded as part of Horizon Europe. The annual value of new research funding contracts signed by Teagasc has increased from €16 million in 2014 to more than €29 million in 2022. The Research Support Office is located within the Research Directorate of Teagasc and provides support for researchers and management in all aspects of external research funding. In line with Teagasc’s role as a State Body and research funder, the Research Support Office also contributes to national and European research and innovation policy and manages an MSCA Cofunded fellowship programme. The successful candidate will join a dynamic, supportive team and will have opportunities for growth and development, with a clear link between their work and impact in the organization and in the country as a whole.

Job Objectives

• Assist researchers with all aspects of grant applications including:

  • Monthly compilation of a Research Funding Newsletter

  • Collect information on available funding schemes and communicate this information to researchers.

  • Provide advice to researchers on the rules and eligibility criteria of funding programmes.

  • Help to identify possible collaborators for Teagasc researchers from universities and other research institutions.

  • Assist researchers with the administrative aspects of large applications.

  • Provide a pre-read service to researchers, including advice on how to improve their applications.

  • Administer the Teagasc interface of funding agency online submission systems.

• Assist management with the writing and project-management of large institutional funding applications.

• Assist researchers and management with post-award activities for successful applications including:

  • Project start-up, including recruitment.

  • Project reporting.

  • Any unusual situations that may arise during a project for which a researcher may require advice and guidance.

• Manage the Research Leaders 2025 fellowship programme

• Track and report on grant applications and research funding contracts.

• Build relationships with external funding agencies and research partners.

• Build relationships with researchers and management and departments such as Technology Transfer Office, Finance, ICT and HR.

• Assist with participation in joint-funding activities.

• Travel as part of the role when required both within Ireland and across Europe.

• 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 an honours Level 8 degree in Science, Agriculture, Food Science, Environmental Science, Engineering or Social Sciences or a related discipline.

• A postgraduate degree and/or research experience

• A PhD degree in a relevant discipline

Skills

• Understanding of national and European research funding opportunities.

• Understanding of national and European research strategies and policies.

Knowledge

• Grant application writing skills.

• Project management skills.

• Networking and influencing skills.

• Dissemination skills: verbal presentation/communication skills, report and popular press writing skills.

• Computer literate, with proficiency in the use of MS Office, Word, excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

• Capacity to successfully develop collaborative links with National and International research and/or research-funding organisations.

Behavioural Competencies

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

• Ability to develop innovative solutions to challenges.

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

• Flexible approach to work with an ability to prioritise tasks effectively.

• Ability to communicate effectively to build relationships inside and outside of Teagasc.

• A results-driven individual with a strong focus on goal-setting, performance delivery and accountability.

• A proactive, solutions-focused approach to work with an ability to adapt to changing requirements.

• Ability to set clear standards, to lead by example, with a quality customer service focus.

Note: The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.

Note: Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.

Attachment:

Resea_797eee09-ccdc-4749-93d4-ad66c4a21404.pdf