Teagasc has a staff of 1,100 covering research, training and advice for the agri-food industry working at 50 locations throughout the country and the organisation is aiming to fill approximately 200 positions this year. These include roles for technicians, research officers as well as postdoctoral positions and you can meet Teagasc representatives to find out more about these jobs at the Agri Careers Fair which takes place in the RDS on 3 March (click here to register for free if you wish to attend).

Teagasc say that “you certainly won’t want for variety” in the organisation in terms of jobs. “There is a huge variation in the roles we are recruiting for” says a Teagasc spokesperson. “If Teagasc hired 40 technicians there wouldn’t be two of those job specs that looked the same.”

Technician roles can vary from being on farm to being in a lab. In the Teagasc colleges the principals and college lecturers are assisted by technicians in setting up and delivering practical training for students. Furthermore, Teagasc also employs technicians as farm data recorders and data analysts, IT specialists, supplies officers and in the provision of statistical support services.

Other positions Teagasc typically hires for includes permanent and contract staff in its training and advisory services. In its research services Teagasc also recruits permanent research staff and a significant number of contract research scientists each year. The types of degrees many of Teagasc’s research recruits would have include science, economics, agriculture and food science.

Teagasc also hires graduates in agriculture, horticulture or forestry as agricultural advisers who work as part of a local team to develop agricultural resources in the area. Contact is made with farmers through farm visits, discussion groups, office and phone consultations and training courses.

Range of vacancies

Clerical staff are also employed as administration support to the research advice and training programmes.

A visit to the “Opportunities” section of the Teagasc website brings up a range of live vacancies with the organisation which currently include contract research officer and contract technician. Although the closing date for these particular jobs closes before the Agri Careers Fair, for both of these positions, Teagasc says 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.

Teagasc is also currently recruiting to fill post-doctoral research opportunities. Its post-doctoral programme provides training and development opportunities for early career scientists.

Teagasc will also support approximately 50 Walsh Fellowships this year. The Walsh Fellowship scheme offers graduates who have qualifications in agriculture, horticulture, food, agri-food economics or rural development and environment the opportunity to pursue further research and obtain a PhD or masters qualification.

If you are interested in a career in the agri-industry, come along to the Irish Farmers Journal and open eir Agri Careers Fair, which takes place in the RDS on 3 March 2016. For more information, click here.