Field Research Technician

Location: Teagasc, National Agricultural Sustainability Research and Innovation Centre, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, Y35 TC97

Salary: Technician Grade 1 with a Salary Scale of €37,315 to €48,465

Closing Date: 28/11/2025 12:00 PM

Funded Full Time

Job Description

Duration:

Temporary contract post, the indicative duration of which is 47 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:

To provide technical support for the implementation of the OTV-IWM Project objectives including field-based, and data management support for the project over its four-year duration. The role involves assisting with field trials, on-farm demonstrations, data collection and processing, and supporting farmer engagement, training, and dissemination activities.

Background:

Teagasc is a Development Agency of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, whose primary function is to support science-based innovation in the Agri-food sector and the broader bio-economy. The OTV-IWM EIP project is an ambitious grower-led project that aims to provide innovative and practical solutions to weed management in organic crop production focused on mechanical weeding, machinery sharing and collaborative production.

Job Objectives

- Support the setup and monitoring of field-scale trials on organic project farms, assisting in the design, establishment, data collection and reporting from these field trials.

- Support project farmers with operation of precision equipment such as camera guided mechanical weeders, thermal weeders and robotic weeding systems.

- Work closely with the Project Coordinator, researchers, and participating farmers, ensuring the efficient implementation of project activities and accurate recording of results.

- Support researchers and project coordinator in delivering field days, on-farm demonstrations, and farmer training sessions in collaboration with project farmers.

- Support the project coordinator in delivering the dissemination plan including content creation for project website, social media and print media.

- Assist in the setup, calibration, and operation of weeding technologies across participating farms.

- Support field assessments such as weed populations, crop growth, and yield impacts at defined growth stages.

- Conduct on farm measurements such as soil sampling, weed surveying and efficacy of mechanical weeding treatments on project farms.

- Maintain accurate field records such as photographs, and GPS-referenced data for all trials and demonstrations.

- Support machinery logistics, including transport, maintenance scheduling, and coordination between farms.

- To carry out in field/glasshouse and lab activities as requirements develop.

- Input, manage, and validate agronomic data for environmental and economic modelling.

- Liaise with farmers, project coordinator and laboratory staff to ensure timely sample delivery and data flow including laboratory analysis results.

- Ensure accurate data entry, database maintenance, and equipment upkeep.

- Health & Safety Co-ordinator Duties or such other Health & Safety Duties as may be assigned from time to time.

- 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.

Qualifications

- A Level 7 qualification in Agriculture, Environmental science or a related discipline.

Skills

- People and resource management skills.

- Data handling and computer skills.

- Organisational skills.

- Operation of lab/field equipment.

- Familiarity with integrated weed management and/or precision weeding equipment e.g. camera guided weeding equipment.

Knowledge

Understanding of weed control in tillage crops and/or vegetable crops.

Demonstrate knowledge and expertise in planning, setting up and maintaining experimental field trials.

- Knowledge of organic tillage and vegetable cropping systems.

- Ability to work as part of a team, including collaborating and building relationships with key partners.

- Ability to problem solve and demonstrates a high level of attention to detail.

- Demonstrates positive approach to new challenges and dissemination of new tasks.

- Must be willing to adapt to new challenges and research tasks that may be outside of their research experience to date.

- Experience supporting knowledge transfer events.

- Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos.

Other

Candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive 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

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

Gender, Diversity and Inclusion

At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives, for the benefit of all in the organisation.

We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion.

We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.

#J-18808-Ljbffr