Overview

The main responsibilities of the post will be to:

  1. Manage and deliver high quality quantitative research to define, evaluate and improve the sustainability of Northern Irish agriculture, with a strong focus on grassland-based ruminant systems that dominate the current land use;
  2. Manage large and interdisciplinary datasets originating from Northern Irish, UK, Republic of Ireland and international agri-food value chains, in collaboration with colleagues with relevant expertise, to enhance the quality of their own research as well as colleagues at the Climate+ Co-Centre;
  3. Communicate research findings in the international academic community in the forms of peer-reviewed publications and conference/seminar presentations;
  4. Also communicate research findings to non-academic key stakeholders, such as policymakers, industry representatives and the farming community, in the forms of written reports, oral presentations (e.g. webinars) and stakeholder events;
  5. Establish and maintain linkages with external research groups, both within and beyond the Climate+ Co-Centre and both nationally and internationally, to ensure that research is carried out collaboratively where appropriate and always at the highest possible standard;
  6. Assist Principal Scientific Officer — AFBI Principal Investigator, Climate+ CoCentre with the administration of the centre;
  7. With support of Principal Scientific Officer — AFBI Principal Investigator, Climate+ Co-Centre, secure research funding from DAERA, UKRI, EU, industry and other funders that complements and enhances the research programme at the Climate+ Co-Centre;
  8. Maintain in-depth knowledge of relevant scientific literature and
    policy/industry landscapes through continuous professional development.

Location

The successful candidate will be based at AFBI Large Park Hillsborough BT26 6DR. However, they may on occasion also be expected to work at other sites in Northern Ireland as required.

Hybrid working may also be considered.

Requirements

Applicants must, by the closing date for applications provide evidence in their application form that they meet the following eligibility criteria:

1a. A PhD in agricultural science, animal science or a closely related field

AND

1a2. A minimum of 2 years’ demonstrable post-doctoral working experience initiating and conducting quantitative research to define, evaluate and improve the sustainability of agricultural production and/or agri-food supply chains

OR

1b. A Degree (equivalent or higher*) in agricultural science, animal science or a closely related field

AND

1b2. 4 years’ post graduate demonstrable working experience initiating and conducting quantitative research to define, evaluate and improve the sustainability of agricultural production and/or agri-food supply chains

AND

  • Two peer review publications** in scientific journals relevant to the needs to the post;
  • Demonstrable modelling experience utilising script-based computer programming, applied to agricultural production and/or agri-food supply chain research;
  • Demonstrable experience in communicating research findings to nonacademic audiences, for example farmers, industry stakeholders and/or policymakers, either orally or in a written format;
  • Possess a full, UK current or exchangeable*** driving licence from the list for manual vehicles, (to aid the successful candidate in driving an AFBI vehicle) enabling the licence holder to fulfil the duties of this role. As per the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), any reasonable adjustments will be considered.

* Relevant or equivalent qualifications: Applications will also be considered from applicants with relevant formal qualifications considered by the selection panel to be of an equivalent or higher standard to those stated. If you believe your qualification is equivalent to the one required, the onus is on you to provide the panel with details of modules studied, information proving equivalency, etc. so that a well-informed decision can be made.

** Peer Review Publications: Is defined as papers either accepted for publication or published. Applicants must provide evidence of eligibility criterion by submitting a fully cited bibliography (authors, paper title, journal title, volume, and page numbers) of all publications offered. For the papers submitted applicants must demonstrate the contribution made under the following author roles from the Elsevier Credit taxonomy: conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, investigation, writing – original draft, and supervision.

Applicants can provide this information within the application form itself or, if necessary, it can be sent by the closing date as an email attachment (citing the competition reference number on the first page of this booklet) to: recruitment@hrconnect.nigov.net.

Completed application forms must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon (UK time) on Friday 28th November 2025.

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