Contract Research Officer - ResilientForests project

Location: Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow R93 XE12, Co Carlow

Research

Salary: Research Officer with a Salary Scale of €42,496 to €80,414

Closing Date: 10/07/2026 12:00 PM

Funded Full Time

Job Summary

Duration:

Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 45 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

Working closely with the Project Coordinator and Principal Investigator, the research officer will play a central role in the scientific, technical and administrative delivery of the project, supporting activities across multiple work packages relating to stakeholder engagement, strategic breeding frameworks, forest genetic resources (FGR), forest reproductive material (FRM), tree breeding, species diversification, wood quality and forest resilience.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of science-based breeding and deployment frameworks for key forest tree species, the assessment and characterisation of forest genetic resources, and the evaluation of forest reproductive material through field, laboratory and glasshouse-based research. The role will support research activities aimed at improving the productivity, resilience and sustainability of Irish forests, including studies on species performance, phenology, adaptation, biodiversity, tree health, wood quality and forest establishment.

The Research Officer will contribute to the planning and implementation of experiments, collection and analysis of field and laboratory data, development of databases and decision-support tools, preparation of technical reports, scientific publications and project deliverables. The post holder will also assist in the coordination of project activities, including progress reporting, organisation of project meetings, stakeholder engagement events, workshops and knowledge transfer activities.

The role will involve close collaboration with researchers from Teagasc, UCD, TU-Dublin, SETU, DAFM, Coillte, government agencies and industry stakeholders. The successful candidate will work within a dynamic and multidisciplinary research environment alongside early-career researchers, technical staff and research colleagues across the Forestry Development Department, contributing to collaborative research that supports innovation, evidence-based policy development and the future sustainability of Ireland’s forestry sector.

This is a research-focused position that provides an excellent opportunity to develop expertise in applied forestry research, project management, scientific publishing, stakeholder engagement and collaborative research within a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional environment.

Background

Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, undertakes research, advisory and education activities in support of Ireland’s agri-food sector and wider bioeconomy. The Forestry Development Department provides integrated research, advisory and training programmes to support the sustainable development of forestry in Ireland.

The successful candidate will contribute to the ResilientForests project, a major national research initiative funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). The project aims to develop diverse, productive and climate-resilient forests in Ireland by strengthening breeding strategies, enhancing forest genetic resources, improving forest reproductive material, and integrating wood quality and microbiome research to support future forest resilience, productivity and sustainability.

ResilientForests brings together researchers from Teagasc, University College Dublin (UCD), Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), South East Technological University (SETU), DAFM, Coillte, None-So-Hardy Nursery, Irish distillers, and other industry partners to address key challenges facing Irish forestry, including climate change adaptation, forest diversification, resilience to pests and diseases, wood quality improvement, and the sustainable deployment of forest reproductive material. The project combines expertise in tree breeding, forest genetic resources, species diversification, wood quality assessment, forest microbiomes, stakeholder engagement and knowledge transfer to support evidence-based forestry policy and practice.

This is a research-focused role that provides an excellent opportunity for an early-career researcher to further develop their scientific, technical and professional skills within a large multidisciplinary forestry research programme. Working closely with the Project Coordinator, Principal Investigator, senior research staff, postgraduate students and project partners, the successful candidate will contribute to the scientific delivery of multiple project work packages through field, laboratory, glasshouse and data-driven research activities.

The role will provide experience in experimental design, project delivery, data management and analysis, scientific publishing, stakeholder engagement, and the preparation of technical reports and project deliverables. The successful candidate will collaborate with national and international researchers, government agencies, industry stakeholders and policymakers, while developing communication, presentation and project management skills through participation in project meetings, workshops, conferences and knowledge transfer activities.

The post holder will also have opportunities to work alongside PhD, MRes and MSc students associated with the project and contribute to a collaborative research environment focused on delivering innovative solutions for the future of Irish forestry. Teagasc supports continuous professional development through appropriate induction, mentoring, training and learning opportunities relevant to the role and project objectives.

The position will be based at Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow, or another nominated Teagasc location as agreed with the Head of Department

Job Objectives

• Conduct a specified programme of research aligned with the objectives of the ResilientForests project, contributing to stakeholder engagement, strategic breeding frameworks, forest genetic resources (FGR), forest reproductive material (FRM), tree breeding and field evaluation activities.
• Design, coordinate and implement field, laboratory and glasshouse-based experiments in accordance with project objectives and agreed methodologies.
• Conduct assessments of breeding populations, provenance trials, seed orchards, forest reproductive material and forest genetic resources, including phenotypic evaluations of growth, survival, health, phenology, reproductive performance, biodiversity, adaptation and wood quality traits.
• Contribute to the development of strategic breeding frameworks, deployment plans and evidence-based recommendations for priority forest tree species.
• Collect, manage, curate and analyse biological, environmental and forestry datasets using appropriate statistical, genomic, GIS and data analytical approaches.
• Develop and maintain project databases, and data management systems to support project objectives and reporting requirements.
• Prepare scientific publications, technical reports, project deliverables, presentations, briefing documents and other outputs arising from the project.
• Contribute effectively to the scientific, technical and administrative delivery of the ResilientForests project in collaboration with the Project Coordinator, including coordination of research activities, progress reporting, preparation of deliverables, monitoring of milestones, and engagement with project partners and stakeholders.
• Engage in education, knowledge transfer and dissemination activities, including workshops, field demonstrations, training events, conferences and scientific meetings.
• Work collaboratively with researchers, technical staff, students and project partners, and contribute to the supervision, mentoring and training of students and early-career researchers where appropriate.
• Facilitate and contribute to stakeholder engagement and IP management, innovation \& commercialisation and future funding initiatives arising from the project deliverables, furthering the national tree breeding efforts.
• Maintain high standards of scientific integrity, data quality, record keeping and research governance in accordance with Teagasc and funder requirements.
• 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 Requirement

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications

• An honours Level 8 degree, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in Forestry, Forest Science, Plant Science, Genetics, Ecology, Environmental Science, Biological Sciences or a related discipline.
• A postgraduate degree and/or research experience in tree breeding /improvement, forest genetics, forest reproductive material (FRM), forest genetic resources (FGR), forest science or related disciplines would be a distinct advantage.

Skills

• Experience designing and implementing field, laboratory and/or glasshouse-based research.
• Experience in data management, statistical analysis and interpretation of research data using R, or similar software.
• Demonstrated scientific writing, reporting and examples of communication skills.
• Evidence of scientific publications, technical reports, presentations and dissemination of research outputs.
• Excellent written, organisational, project management and problem-solving skills, with a track record of delivering research objectives, milestones and outputs.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain high standards of data quality and record keeping.
• Track record of delivering research outputs, project milestones and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

• Full clean driving licence.

• Experience working with large environmental, forestry or biological datasets.

• Experience in stakeholder engagement, knowledge transfer or outreach activities.
• Experience supervising or mentoring students and junior researchers.
• Experience contributing to collaborative research proposals and research funding applications.
• Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of forestry, plant, environmental or ecological research methods.
• Knowledge of experimental design, sampling methodologies and quantitative data analysis.
• Understanding of sustainability, biodiversity and climate resilience challenges relevant to land use and forestry.

• Awareness of innovation, intellectual property, technology transfer, commercialisation pathways, policy frameworks or knowledge transfer mechanisms relevant to applied research.

• Knowledge of tree breeding, strategic breeding frameworks, forest reproductive material (FRM), forest genetic resources (FGR) and deployment strategies.

• Knowledge of molecular genetics, population genetics, genomics or quantitative genetics relevant to forestry and breeding programmes.
• Knowledge of wood quality assessment, forest ecology, forest microbiomes or species diversification strategies.

Behavioural Competencies

• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and build productive relationships with colleagues, collaborators and stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge transfer, stakeholder engagement and dissemination of research findings.
• Demonstrates initiative, scientific curiosity and a commitment to high-quality research.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and commitment to delivering project objectives, milestones and outputs.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, oral and presentation skills.

Other

As this role will involve driving vehicles, candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.

Eligibility This is an open public competition. Should a current serving Teagasc staff member be successful in their application through open public competition for this post, their current contract of employment with Teagasc will come to an end on taking up this post.

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