Senior Scientist (SSO) — Agricultural Sustainability Modelling

Location: AFBI Large Park Hillsborough, Northern Ireland

Completed application forms must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon (UK time) on Friday 28th November 2025. Appointment for this post will be made on a permanent basis. For the first four years of appointment, the post will be funded by the Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water (Climate+ Co-Centre), the €41m international research centre linking researchers across United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The post will subsequently be funded internally by AFBI with a primary role of sustainability modelling for Northern Irish agri-food sector.

Responsibilities

• 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;
• 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;
• Communicate research findings in the international academic community in the forms of peer‑reviewed publications and conference/seminar presentations;
• 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;
• 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;
• Assist Principal Scientific Officer — AFBI Principal Investigator, Climate+ Co‑Centre with the administration of the centre;
• 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;
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of relevant scientific literature and policy/industry landscapes through continuous professional development.

This list is not exhaustive, and the successful candidate will be required to carry out other duties as allocated by management.

Eligibility Criteria

• A PhD in agricultural science, animal science or a closely related field; AND
• 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
• A Degree (equivalent or higher) in agricultural science, animal science or a closely related field; AND
• 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 non‑academic 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 for manual vehicles, 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.