Organisation/Company: University College Dublin. Research Field: Agricultural sciences – Soil science. Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2). Application Deadline: 1 Jun 2026 – 11:01 (UTC). Country: Ireland. Type of Contract: Temporary. Job Status: Full-time. Not funded by EU programme. Not a staff position within a Research Infrastructure.
Offer Description
Applications are invited for a temporary post of a UCD Post‑doctorate Research Fellow Level 1 within UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering.
The Post‑doctorate researcher will contribute to a collaborative Ireland-New Zealand Joint Research Initiative focused on the development of digital approaches and tools to support the deployment and monitoring of on‑farm climate practices. The role will focus on the development and evaluation of proximal sensing for near real‑time monitoring of soil organic carbon for climate‑smart management.
The successful candidate will lead and execute high quality application of spectral models in MIR and portable NIR for rapid determination of soil organic carbon pools and dissolved organic carbon losses in farm landscapes. The work will involve handling national spectral datasets and spectral libraries from reference sites in Ireland and New Zealand, and the assessment of indicators of soil carbon dynamics and soil carbon sequestration potential. Sensed data will be integrated in a user‑friendly dashboard for farmer decision‑making on climate‑smart management opportunities.
This position requires a strong capacity in chemometrics applied to soils, interpretation of results in a scientifically robust manner, and translation into actionable insights for multidisciplinary research teams. The candidate will engage with project partners on informatics and decision support system in an end‑to‑end interactive web application and provide demonstration and detailed technical support for end‑users.
Closing date: 12:00 noon (local Irish time) on 02 June 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 CVs submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.
The PD1 position is intended for early‑stage researchers, either just after completion of a PhD or for someone entering a new area for the first time. If you have already completed your PD1 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD1, or you are an external applicant whose total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 4 years, you should not apply and should refer to PD2 posts instead.
Communication and interpersonal skills
Soil Science
Biosystems Engineering
Agricultural Science
Experience in chemometrics and/or machine learning
Experience of spectral measurement and/or proximal sensing
Good knowledge of soil science
Additional Information
Eligibility criteria - Mandatory:
PhD in Soil Science, Biosystems Engineering, Agricultural Science, or related discipline
Demonstrated experience in chemometrics and/or machine learning
Experience of spectral measurement and/or proximal sensing
A demonstrated commitment to research and publications
An understanding of the operational requirements for a successful research project
Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals, and ability to outline a research project)
Excellent Communication Skills (Oral, Written, Presentation, etc.)
Excellent Organisational and Administrative skills including a proven ability to work to deadlines
Candidates must demonstrate an awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion agenda
Good knowledge of soil science
A full clean driver's license is desirable
Experience in setting your own research agenda
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