Applications are invited for a temporary post of a Research Engineer within UCD School of Biosystems & Food Engineering. The FarmScan project is a three-year, EU-funded collaboration between University College Dublin (UCD), Fraunhofer IMS (Germany), and the University of Udine (Italy). Its goal is to design, develop, and field-test novel decomposable soil sensor nodes that monitor soil conditions and then break down harmlessly at the end of their operational life. By removing the need for retrieval and avoiding the build-up of electronic waste in agricultural soils, these sensors will enable high-resolution field monitoring that enhances crop resilience, reduces inputs such as fertilizers and water, and supports more sustainable precision agriculture. The Research Engineer will contribute to the environmental assessment of sensor materials and systems by applying Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods to evaluate their performance from design through field deployment. This includes prospective assessments to inform material and design choices, comparative analyses between conventional and decomposable sensors, and the integration of real-world field data to refine environmental impact evaluations. The role will involve close collaboration with partners across disciplines, providing evidence to guide sensor development and ensuring that environmental sustainability is embedded throughout the project. The primary purpose of this position is to generate robust environmental insights that demonstrate the benefits of decomposable sensor technologies and to support the project in delivering innovations that are not only technically feasible but also resource-efficient and climate-resilient. Fixed Salary: €36,304 per annum Closing date: 12:00 noon (local Irish time) on 29/04/2026. Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 12:00 noon (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications. UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned. To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page. To start the process click the Apply button below to Login/Register.