Post-Doctoral Researcher, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Environmental Research Institute.
48 Months, Fixed-Term, Whole-Time Post
Position Summary
Applications are invited for the role of Munster Agricultural Society Post- Doctoral Researcher in Farmland Biodiversity within the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and the Environmental Research Institute.
Basic Function:
The primary role of this post-doctoral position is to develop a comprehensive research programme that underpins the positioning of farmland biodiversity as a recognised, fundamental aspect of sustainable agriculture. It is envisaged that this research programme will support high-value, research-led teaching and evidence-based extension on the topic of farmland biodiversity across the agricultural industry and general public. As such, the post-doctoral researcher will build a research programme that addresses the needs of industry stakeholders, in the context of promoting the protection and enhancement of farmland biodiversity, through robust, collaborative research. Specific tasks will include leading investigation into the needs of agricultural stakeholders in the context of farmland biodiversity and the factors that influence the adoption/non-adoption of biodiversity friendly practices. Additionally, examination of the impact of biodiversity friendly practices on farmland biodiversity, production and profitability, and other ecosystem services of interest will be conducted. Impactful output is expected to stem as a result of this position and take the form of publications in peer-reviewed academic papers, research led-teaching, and extension and communication of the research through non-academic means.
The scope of this position extends to the development and execution of the farmland biodiversity research programme, as well as contributing to research- led teaching at undergraduate level (e.g., AG3005) and the supervision of postgraduate research students. The position will also be considered a period of training and career development for the researcher and, as such, is open to applications by recently qualified post-doctoral researchers. UCC provide numerous career development opportunities to post-doctoral researchers including the opportunity to work in conjunction with senior research staff. Post-doctoral researchers also gain experience in project and budgetary management, publishing in peer-reviewed academic journals, writing grant applications, attracting external funding, collaborating with national and international research communities, and developing their communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
The researcher will be mentored by the Principal Investigator (PI). It is expected that the researcher would spend no more than 4 years at the post- doctoral level, subject to the term of the project and would then be eligible to compete for a senior post-doctoral post and/or lecturer positions as advertised by the University.
The researcher will be based at UCC but will also spend time at collaborating research partner sites (e.g., Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork) and on commercial farms.
Background:
Farmland biodiversity, through its ability to sustain key functions, processes and structures within agro ecosystems, can play a vital role in underpinning the sustainability of Irish agriculture. Agricultural intensification, however, is a recognised contributor to ongoing declines in biodiversity. The important role that agriculture and its stakeholders play in addressing biodiversity loss is also recognised across various EU and Irish policies and programmes. For example, the EU National Biodiversity Strategy, the Nature Restoration Law, Objective 6 of the Common Agricultural Policy, Ireland's National Biodiversity Action Plan, and Ireland's Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, all call for action within agriculture that contributes to the restoration of biodiversity and wider ecosystem services. While efforts have been made to curb biodiversity declines, particularly through policy instruments including voluntary agri-environmental schemes, the effectiveness of such policy measures in protecting and restoring biodiversity across Europe has been limited (Stoeckli, et al., 2017, European Court of Auditors, 2020). Moreover, within an Irish perspective, it has been identified that a significant proportion of farmers are unlikely to ever participate in such schemes (McGurk et al., 2020). Recent research has highlighted the need to consider, more explicitly, the factors that encourage biodiversity-friendly farm practices at regional levels with the view to informing effective policy design and tailored advice on practice adoption and biodiversity impacts (Klebl et al., 2023). Therefore, further work is required to effectively integrate the protection and promotion of farmland biodiversity as a core consideration amongst agricultural stakeholders and the industry as a whole as it strives to achieve sustainability.
The main objective of this post-doctoral position is to build a comprehensive research programme rooted in multi-actor engagement, that will expand our knowledge and understanding of the factors that influence biodiversity friendly practices, and the impact of these practices on farmland biodiversity and the provision of other ecosystem services within the agroecosystem. This in turn will be vital in supporting impactful, research and evidenced based extension that provides leadership to the industry and guidance for future policy, while also supporting research-led teaching delivered the next generation of agricultural stakeholders.
Project Title: Underpinning the sustainability of Irish agriculture through the effective integration of farmland biodiversity.
Post Duration: 48 Months
Salary: €44,347 - €50,805 per annum, IUA PD1 Scale.
For an information package including further details of the post see https: // ore.ucc.ie/.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Professor Frank Buckley, Professor of Agricultural Science (Head of Discipline) and Academic Director CK412, School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, Tel: +353 (0) 21 4904582 / +353 (0) 87 8361878; Email: [email protected]
Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (https: // ore.ucc.ie/). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to [email protected], quoting the job-title and project name.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, 20th September 2024.
No late applications will be accepted.
Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.
UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated. As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC is committed to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff. We encourage applicants to consult our policies at https: // www. ucc.ie/en/edi/policies/ and initiatives at https: // www. ucc.ie/en/edi/implementation/ and we welcome applications from everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Contact Person : Frank Buckley Contact Email : [email protected] Job ID : 079971 Contact Number : +353 (0)21 490 4582 / +353 (0)87 836 1878 Close Date : 20-Sep-2024 12:00