Background:
The Teagasc commercial forage-breeding programme was established at Oak Park, Carlow in the mid-1980’s. The programme has adopted a multispecies breeding strategy targeted at increasing animal production potential, improving animal health and welfare, and reducing the environmental and climatic footprint of agriculture. Our main emphasis is on breeding improved varieties of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), white clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) that will offer high yields of quality forage over a long grazing season together with high persistency and disease resistance. Breeding is based on the establishment, evaluation and crossing of thousands of plots and plants each year in the field and glasshouse.
About the Role
The appointee will be responsible for the planning, coordination, implementation and management of the forage breeding field programme at Oak Park under the direction of the forage breeder. The field programme encompasses thousands of plots and tens of thousands of spaced plants across 30 hectares, and all associated activities in the glasshouses, polytunnels and laboratory. The appointee will work with the Oak Park Research Centre farm manager and, have responsibility for supervising, managing and leading staff assigned to the field programme including technical, farm and students. The appointee will also have a significant hands-on role, together with the other team members, in completing the workload.
The ideal candidate will have:
* A Level 8 degree in Agricultural Science, Plant Breeding or Biology
* Valid, full clean Irish, EU/EEA or International driving licence (permit)
* Experimental design and analysis skills
* Good laboratory practice
* Knowledge of grass and clover agronomy
This is a permanent vacancy.
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