Research Area
Agri-environmental science/engineering, soil science, hydrology
Eligibility
PhD in a relevant discipline with up to 3 years’ (max.) relevant experience.
The combined total of this contract combined with any other PD1 contracts must not exceed 3 years in total.
Project Title Smart multisensory embedded and secure system for soil nutrient and gaseous emissions monitoring (SARMENTI)
Current Project End Date - 31/12/2021
Post Duration
The indicative duration of 33 months, but not exceeding the above project end date, subject to contract.
A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled.
Location
Crops, Environment and Land-use Research Centre, Johnstown Castle, Wexford.
Reports to
Project Leader and/or other nominated manager as may be identified from time to time.
Training Rate
Appointment will be at the minimum point of the Post Doctoral Level 1 (PD1) scale (€37,222).
The current PD1 scale is as follows:
PD1: €37,222 (min.); €37,757; €39,529 (max.)
Basic Function of the post:
The basic function of this post is to conduct research to calibrate and validate a novel in-situ soil nutrient and gas sensor that captures available nutrients in the soil solution and greenhouse gas emissions from soil. This post will involve calibrating a novel wireless nutrient and gas sensor with current methods of analysis, and validation of the sensor with crop growth under controlled conditions and in-situ, field conditions. A combination of lab and field work is an essential element of this work to collect soil pore-water, overland flow and environmental parameter that can be linked with sensed data. Data analysis and reporting in scientific journals are also essential functions of this post.
SARMENTI is a Horizon 2020 funded research project with project partners across the EU that brings together expertise in agri-environmental science and micro-electronics, technologies and software engineering. The objective of this project is to develop and validate a cost-effective portable low power multisensory system connected to the cloud to measure in-situ soil nutrients and gaseous emissions for farmers to manage soil in real-time. A fully calibrated and validated multi-system sensor will help farms to make rapid decisions on soil fertility to maximise crop yields and minimise environmental losses. The system will have other applications in water quality monitoring that could provide high temporal resolution data at farm scale. To meet the objectives of this project this post-doctorate position will work with agricultural and environmental scientists to validate the sensor system. The position is based at Teagasc Johnstown Castle Research Centre however a large multi-disciplinary consortium across Europe will be interacting with this role. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under grant agreement 823325.
This is a research focused training role, the primary purpose of which is to provide early career scientists with the opportunity to develop their research skills and competencies.
The PD Fellow will, while working in conjunction with senior research staff, gain insight and experience into a variety of areas including the processes of project and budgetary management, publishing in peer-reviewed academic journals, writing grant applications, and attracting external funding; the development of active collaboration with relevant national and international research communities; the development of communication and presentation skills, leadership and management skills, and overall career development.
Modules will be conducted under the supervision and direction of the (Project Leader) or other designated manager in conjunction with the Head of Department.
Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project:
• Conduct laboratory and growth chamber experiments to calibrate a soil nutrient and gas sensor across a number of soil pedoclimatic conditions.
• Conduct field work to deploy a multi-system sensor and collect sensed data that can be calibrated with conventional methods of analysis.
• Conduct field work that instruments a number of field sites with pore-water and overland flow analysers, rainfall and soil data, that can be calibrate with sensed data.
• Validate the sensor’s robustness under field conditions and feed-back to sensor developers in the project.
• Synthesise the calibration and validation results into report format for the project consortium and publish in peer-review journals.
Person Specification
This section outlines the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would be required to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on how well candidates satisfy these criteria.
Essential
• PhD in environmental science, soil science, agriculture, geochemistry, hydrology.
• Relevant research experience not to exceed 3 years’ post-PhD.
• Demonstrated research and technical expertise in lab and field work.
• Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals etc.).
• Excellent project management, analytical, report writing and data analysis skills.
• An ability to collaborate with team members and PhD students to help build research knowledge and skill and to guide professional development.
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written, presentation) with an ability to enable effective knowledge and technology transfer.
• Ability to generate new ideas, unique concepts, models and solutions.
• Full clean driving licence.
Desirable
• Experience in field and lab work.
• Experience in setting own research agenda.
• Evidence of teamwork and collaboration with relevant partners.
Further Information for Candidates
Candidates can access a Fellowship Programme Application form for this post on the Teagasc website at
https://www.teagasc.ie/about/opportunities/post-doctoral-opportunities/ Teagasc do not accept Curriculum Vitaes as an application for a position. In order to apply for a post the relevant application form must be completed in order to be considered.
Completed application forms should be TYPED, saved in PDF format and submitted by email to
[email protected] no later than 12 noon on Tuesday 19th February 2019. Applications received after this time will not be considered.
Teagasc is an equal opportunities employer. As part of Teagasc Gender and Diversity strategies, Teagasc welcomes a balanced pool of applicants. Canvassing will disqualify.