Postdoctoral Researcher: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions On Uk Dairy Farms

**Salary**

£36,678 - £42,470 per annum

**Contractual hours**

37

**Basis**

Full time

**Region**

Scotland - South and West

**Package**

Attractive benefits package - please see below.

**Job category/type**

Researching

**Date posted**

09/08/2024

**Job reference**

REQ0114

**Reference: ASWF/DRC/006/24**

**About the team**:
SRUC is unique in Scotland and one of the largest organisations of its kind in Europe. Our ambitious and exciting vision is to work at local, national and international levels, leading innovation and sustainable development in agriculture and rural sectors.

**About**the opportunity**:
SRUC is a partner in a new consortium established to facilitate adoption of greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation measures by dairy farmers across the UK. Based at SRUC’s Dairy Research & Innovation Centre near Dumfries, the purpose of this post is day-to-day oversight of SRUC parts of this new research programme, including technical support for the recording and modelling of GHG emissions on a network of farms in Scotland and northern England.

Key areas of work will include:

- Support the creation and curation of catalogues of practical GHG reduction measures and GHG measurement methods.
- Work with SRUC researchers and other consortium members to design the on-farm GHG measurement programme.
- Responsibility for implementation of GHG measurement and modelling on participating farms in Scotland and northern England, with regular visits to participating farms. Work will involve the maintenance of protocols, the installation and operation of recording equipment (for example, devices for measuring methane emissions) and the organisation of technical and farm resources.
- Managing the activity of technicians who will assist with recording; providing training and mentoring on techniques and data handling.
- Maintaining databases of animal records, including responsibility for project data quality.
- Ensuring that relevant project milestones are met and contributing to project planning meetings.
- Data analysis, preparation of reports (for project meetings, seminars and conferences) and preparation of refereed papers targeting high-quality journals.
- Presentation of the project to students, visitors and at open days/events.
- There will be opportunities to contribute to SRUC projects in other areas of dairy science.

This is a fixed-term appointment for 3 years.

**Minimum qualifications and experience**:
You should possess a relevant PhD qualification SCQF Level 12 in animal cience or closely related field and/or extensive experience in a closely related field.

You should have proven successful experience of collaborative research in animal science, working with other academic and industry partners with a knowledge of UK dairy farming practices and a knowledge of the sources of GHG emissions from dairy farms combined with an awareness of approaches to cut those emissions. Prior knowledge of methods used to monitor GHG emissions would be an advantage.

**Eligibility for Sponsorship**:
This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. If you are a migrant worker you will need to ensure you qualify for an appropriate visa to evidence the necessary right to work in the UK.

**Why work for SRUC?**
- Generous annual leave
- Enhanced pension contributions
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted RAC Membership
- Generous family leave
- Flexible working patterns
- Hybrid working solutions (in some areas)
- Tailored investment in and individuals' learning and development

**How to Apply**:
Please read the Job Particulars document before applying.

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