Thomas Lyons 
Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority in Ireland, is searching for a visionary leader to head its newly established Climate Centre in Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, with a salary of up to €130,000. The centre aims to accelerate research and innovation required to bring climate and biodiversity mitigation technologies for farming to deployment stage. It works in partnership with national and international organisations to provide independent scientific knowledge to help the agri-food sector reach climate neutrality and enhance biodiversity restoration.
In July 2022, the Irish government agreed that the agriculture sector is required to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25% by 2030, compared to 2018 levels. The head of Teagasc Climate Centre will be responsible for the scientific leadership and strategic management of the resources at the centre, working closely with policymakers, other state agencies, farm representative bodies, and other organisations and businesses operating in the agri-food sector.
The successful candidate will be tasked with developing strong links with Irish and international research organisations in the area of climate mitigation, innovation, and sustainable food systems. The salary scale for the senior principal research officer position ranges from €113,688 to €130,911. The closing date for applications for the position is midday on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
Applicants for the position must hold a PhD in sustainable agriculture or in another relevant discipline. They must also have between 5-10 years’ experience in managing or leading relevant research or knowledge transfer programmes. Candidates should have a “thorough knowledge of the Irish agri-food industry”, along with a comprehensive understanding of climate smart agriculture. They will be required to have excellent communication, organisational, delegation and time management skills, with the ability to create effective structures and systems for gathering and sharing information and transferring technology.
Teagasc has recently recruited 24 scientific staff to work at the facility, all of whom will work in partnership with the head of the Climate Centre. The organisation hopes that the new centre will become a hub for research and innovation in the agri-food sector and help Ireland to meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets.
The head of the Climate Centre will be based at the Johnstown Castle Environmental Research Centre or Teagasc Head Office in Oak Park, Co. Carlow. They will be responsible for the scientific leadership and strategic management of the resources at the centre, and will be expected to liaise extensively with policymakers, other state agencies, farm representative bodies, and other organisations and businesses operating in the agri-food sector.
The successful candidate will be a leader in their field, with a proven track record of managing or leading relevant research or knowledge transfer programmes. They should have a comprehensive understanding of climate smart agriculture and a thorough knowledge of the Irish agri-food industry. Excellent communication, organisational, delegation, and time management skills are essential, as is the ability to create effective structures and systems for gathering and sharing information and transferring technology.
Teagasc is committed to supporting the agri-food sector in its transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future. The establishment of the Climate Centre is a key part of this commitment, and the organisation hopes that the successful candidate will be an inspirational leader who can help to drive forward research and innovation in this area.
