Duration:
Temporary Post-Doctoral Appointment. This is an externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 43.5 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 Postdoctoral Researcher will be part of the Vista Milk Research Centre and will specifically work on the System of Systems (So S) platform.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in advancing pasture modeling capabilities within the Vista Milk Research Centre. This position is central to the development of cutting-edge tools for precision pasture management, integrating mechanistic modeling with other modeling techniques to deliver improved predictions of grass growth, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and carbon sequestration. The research will build on the existing Mo St grass growth (GG) model, enhancing its capacity to account for soil moisture dynamics, legume inclusion, and environmental impacts. This work will contribute directly to decision-support systems such as Pasture Base Ireland and national initiatives like the Farming Weather Forecast. The successful candidate will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers across Teagasc, UCD, ICBF, and other partner organizations, ensuring the research addresses both scientific challenges and real-world applications.
The successful candidate will be based at Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Other Teagasc research centres may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.

Background:
Vista Milk Research Centre
The Vista Milk Research Centre, based at Teagasc Moorepark since 2018, is a world leader in fundamental and translational research for precision, pasture-based dairying. Now in its second six-year phase (2024–2030), Vista Milk focuses on creating a federated system of digital models ("digital shadows") for the soil-to-gut pathway. This integrated system enables whole-system scenario modeling to address challenges such as climate change adaptation, policy development, and farm management, providing unprecedented insights for Ireland’s dairy sector.
As a collaboration between 13 agri-food and ICT research institutes and industry partners, Vista Milk drives innovation by combining expertise across agriculture, food science, data analytics, and technology. Hosted by Teagasc, the Centre will employ 162 research staff over the next six years, advancing solutions that enhance sustainability, profitability, and resilience in dairy farming.
Teagasc – Agriculture and Food Development Authority
Teagasc is Ireland’s leading organization for research, advisory, and education in agriculture and food. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Teagasc conducts high-quality research to support the competitiveness of Irish agriculture and the wider agri-food sector. The Moorepark Research Centre is internationally recognized for its expertise in dairy science and grassland research.

The Teagasc post-doctoral programme provides training and development opportunities for early career scientists that enhances their experience of learning and equips them with the necessary skills for the next stage of their chosen career in research. Appointees to a Teagasc Post-Doctoral Fellowship will be required to undertake a Level 9 Professional Diploma in Researcher Development delivered by University College Dublin (UCD).
This professional diploma is a flexible, modular programme which embraces a blended learning approach to align with the Post-Doctoral Fellow's role in Teagasc. It is designed to develop competencies and transferable skills in research, professionalism, communication and career development. The majority of the programme is delivered online with the remaining elements delivered in-person at Teagasc locations. This blended approach affords the Post-Doctoral Fellow the opportunity to meet and network with other Teagasc colleagues. During the course of the diploma Post-Doctoral Fellows will have access to a full range of supports including the UCD library, writing centre and careers centre.

This is a research focused training role, the primary purpose of which is to provide early career scientists with the opportunity to develop their research skills and competencies.
The Post-Doctoral Fellow will, while working in conjunction with senior research staff, gain insight and experience into a variety of areas including the processes of project and budgetary management, publishing in peer-reviewed academic journals, writing grant applications, and attracting external funding; the development of active collaboration with relevant national and international research communities; the development of communication and presentation skills, leadership and management skills, and overall career development.
Modules will be conducted under the supervision and direction of Elodie Ruelle or other designated manager in conjunction with the Head of Department.

Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project:

• Develop a grass quality predictor based on weather, soil type, and management, and integrate it into the Mo St GG model.
• Improve the model's ability to predict GHG emissions, including nitrogen leaching, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide emissions.
• Develop and evaluate hybrid AI techniques to improve grass growth predictions at the farm level.
• Integrate the pasture module with the soil and animal modules within the System of Systems platform.
• Collaborate with researchers across Teagasc, UCD, ICBF, and other external partners to ensure the effective delivery of project objectives.
• Disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and public engagement activities.
• Participate in the supervision of MSc and Ph D students.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

• To interpret research findings and prepare scientific and popular press publications.
• To disseminate research findings to a variety of audiences as appropriate.
• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
• To comply with all relevant Teagasc policies and procedures.
• 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.
• To actively participate in the Teagasc Post Doctoral Fellowship programme and review processes, and to undertake all Post Doctoral fellowship training and associated duties as agreed in the Training & Development Plan.
• To take up additional duties as they may arise and be assigned by management.

This section outlines the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would be required to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on how well candidates satisfy these criteria.
Essential

• Ph D in Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Data Science, or a related discipline.
• Relevant research experience not to exceed 3 years’ post-Ph D
• Demonstrated research and technical expertise in biological system modeling, particularly in grassland or crop systems.
• Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals etc)
• Excellent project management, analytical, report writing and data analysis skills eg R, Python
• An ability to collaborate with team members and Ph D students to help build research knowledge and skill and to guide professional development
• Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written, presentation) with an ability to enable effective knowledge and technology transfer
• Ability to generate new ideas, unique concepts, models and solutions
• Candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy, during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.

Desirable

• Experience in mechanistic modelling, C++ programming or hybrid AI modelling approaches.
• Experience with pasture-based systems, soil science, or legume-based cropping systems.
• Knowledge of nitrogen cycle processes, GHG emissions, and carbon sequestration modeling.
• Experience with model integration into large-scale platforms or decision-support tools.
• Evidence of teamwork and collaboration with relevant partners

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