Contract Forage Breeding Technician (x2 Posts)

Teagasc; Oak Park (IL); On-site; EUR 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural research organization seeks a Technician Grade 1 to support and manage the forage breeding programme. This role involves working hands-on in the field, glasshouse, and laboratory, managing resources effectively to breed improved varieties, with an emphasis on team collaboration and high-quality delivery.

Qualifications

• Valid full clean Irish, EU/EEA or International driving licence required.
• Knowledge of grass and clover agronomy.
• Experience in plant breeding techniques.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and manage plant growth and development.
• Implement agronomy protocols and monitor growth.
• Design field sowing and crossing plans.

Skills

General laboratory practice

Field experimental techniques

Experimental design and analysis

Field skills for plant tasks

Basic laboratory skills

Education

Agricultural science and/or plant biology

Tools

Driving fleet vehicles

Operation of research plot equipment

Job description

Location: Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow

Salary: Technician Grade 1 with a Salary Scale of €36,946 to €47,985

Closing Date: 14/07/2025 12:00 PM

Funded Full Time

Job Description

Duration:

Temporary contract posts (x2), the indicative duration of which is 37 months & 24 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:

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting and managing the forage breeding programme in the breeding of improved varieties of forage grass, legumes and herbs. This will include significant hands-on work in the field, glasshouse and laboratory plus the assignment, supervision, and management of technical, farm and casual staff to efficiently complete all tasks to the required standard in the correct order and in a timely manner.

Background:

The Teagasc commercial forage-breeding programme was established at Oak Park, Carlow in the mid-1980’s. The programme has adopted a multispecies breeding strategy targeted at increasing animal production potential, improving animal health and welfare, and reducing the environmental and climatic footprint of agriculture. Our main emphasis is on breeding improved varieties of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), white clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) that will offer high yields of quality forage over a long grazing season together with high persistency and disease resistance. Breeding is based on the establishment, evaluation and crossing of thousands of plots and plants each year in the field and glasshouse.

Job Objectives

• Supervise and manage all aspects of plant growth, development and evaluation in the glasshouse, field and laboratory.
• Supervise and manage farm staff and students.
• Design field sowing, planting, sampling and crossing plans.
• Implement agronomy protocols and monitor plant growth and development.
• Data collection and record keeping, and computer inputting.
• Plant establishment including weighing seed, tillering established plants, arranging trials, planting in the glasshouse and field, fertilizing, watering and clipping.
• Plant evaluation including visual assessments, plant and plot measurements, cutting and laboratory analyses.
• Drive and operate plant breeding equipment and machines including the Haldrup Forage Harvester.
• Contribute to the teamwork and team-spirit of the forage breeding programme.
• 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

* 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.

* 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.

• Valid full clean Irish, EU/EEA or International driving licence (permit).
• Crop agronomy
• Plant breeding techniques.
• Operation of research plot equipment and machines.

Skills

• General laboratory practice.
• Field experimental techniques.
• Experimental design and analysis.
• Field skills to conduct ongoing repetitive tasks involving plants, plots or samples.
• Basic laboratory skills

Knowledge

• Agricultural science and/or plant biology.
• Grass and clover agronomy and evaluation
• Plant breeding and genetics.
• Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders.
• Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.
• Flexible approach to work with an ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• A results-driven individual with a strong focus on goal-setting, performance delivery and accountability.
• Ability to work independently, and meet self-imposed milestones and deliverables.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach to work with an ability to adapt to changing requirements and shifting work priorities.
• Ability to set clear standards and have a quality customer service focus..
• Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos

Other

As this role will involve driving Teagasc fleet vehicles, candidates must hold a valid full clean Irish, EU/ EEA or International driving licence (permit) applicable for the fleet vehicle(s) required for the role. Candidates must comply with the driving licensing requirements of the Irish State, satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive fleet vehiclesunaccompanied.

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.

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 commited to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.

We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.

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