Are you passionate about advancing ruminant nutrition research? Queen’s University Belfast’s, School of Biological Sciences is seeking an ambitious and motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our team! The successful candidate will play a key role in the planning and delivery of research activities focused on as part of UKRI LUNZ Research project: the Grassland Resilience for Net Zero: Sustainable Practices for Shaping the Future of UK Land Use. https://lunzhub.com/projects/. LUNZ Grasslands will bring together leading innovators in transdisciplinary research on sustainable and resilient livestock systems, to address the transformation of UK grasslands for net zero whilst also improving soil health, biodiversity, and the economy. The project involves academic, research, and industry partners, aiming to transform UK grasslands for net zero emissions, improved soil health, biodiversity, and economic benefits, supporting the agricultural transition to sustainability. The overall aim of the project is to re-evaluate grassland land use and develop policy solutions for large-scale, longterm, integrated grassland management to support UK agriculture's transition to net zero. The primary purpose of this role is to conduct independent research and contribute to the planning and execution of research project focused on the investigations of the impact of different pasture compositions (e.g., legume-rich, multi-species swards) on animal productivity, greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen excretions, and soil health. More specifically, the postholder will be responsible for assessing the emissions from suckler cross-bred beef animals grazing in pastures of different compositions and measuring enteric CH4 emissions, N outputs in faeces and urine, growth rates, and feed efficiency.
About the person:
The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following criteria:
To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information attached.
Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.
What we offer:
Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits/
Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.
For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/diversity.
Further information for international applicants