Research Assistant in Environmental Technology and Plant-Soil Ecology

Post Status: Specific Purpose Contract – Full-time 

Research Group / Department / School: School of Natural Sciences, Discipline of Botany, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin

Location: Botany Building, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland 

Reports to: Dr Richard Nair 

Salary: Appointment will be made on the RI Research Assistant pay scale at a point in line with Government Pay Policy appointment will be made no higher than point 7 [€38,174 per annum gross], and will proceed with advancement 

Hours of Work: Full Time

Closing Date: until filled

Post Summary 

This post is a research assistant role in the Plant-Soil Biogeochemistry group at Trinity College Dublin (Botany Discipline). The holder will primarily contribute to a project about understanding the controls of soil respiration – the release of climate-warming CO2 from soil systems via its component sources such as roots and microbes. You will perform a mix of field, lab, and engineering tasks and support activity in our interdisciplinary working group. We do not expect applicants to necessarily fill all these competencies at onset but be able to grow into them through the role. 

We have developed custom-built ‘minirhizotron’ root imaging instruments to image roots in situ. This role will work with these instruments, adapt them for new experimental set ups, and run them in ecosystem experiments and support fieldwork to validate the data from these instruments with classical ecological / soil science techniques. The role includes building, assembling, and maintaining instruments based on existing designs. The successful candidate will follow protocols and work closely with colleagues to deploy and troubleshoot sensor systems in field conditions. Prior engineering or electronics experience is not necessarily required, although technical curiosity and willingness to learn are highly valued. 

Field sites are in Ireland, although there may be potential for additional field work abroad in the UK and EU. The role may include contributing to the wider dissemination of the technology to other users, potentially through early-stage commercial development or artistic and public outreach collaborations. The successful candidate will be embedded in a dynamic and interdisciplinary project team, including scientists at different career stages. The exact tasks of the role may change during the project.

Person Specification 

Qualifications 

BSc or MSc in a field relevant to the project (e.g. engineering, applied plant sciences, or a closely related discipline)