Posted 20 June, 2026
Post-Doctoral Researcher - School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences /Sustainability Institute
University Vacancies Ireland
Cork, Cork, Ireland
Temporary
Reference: 681625651
24 months, Fixed Term, whole-time Post
The Sustainability Institute/School of BEES are now recruiting for a Post-Doctoral Researcher to work on the EPA-funded PiTCROP project (Pasture irrigation with treated wastewater: challenges, risks and opportunities). The PiTCROP project is exploring how treated municipal wastewater could be safely reused to irrigate pasture, grassland, and other non-food crops in Ireland, helping to inform future water and agricultural policy.
The project brings together stakeholder insights from Ireland and internationally to understand attitudes, opportunities, and best practice around wastewater reuse. It also includes laboratory and glasshouse trials assessing the effects of treated wastewater on grass species such as ryegrass and white clover under different climate stress conditions. Ultimately, PiTCROP aims to develop a practical, risk-based framework to support evidence-led decision-making on wastewater reuse in Irish agriculture, particularly in the context of increasing water scarcity and climate extremes.
The key role as a postdoctoral researcher joining this project will be:
1. To collect and organise chemical and microbial analysis of wastewater samples.
2. To strongly influence the direction of irrigation trials and stakeholder assessments.
3. Drive publication of results, and engagement with project stakeholders; and,
4. Play an active role in mentoring/co-supervision of junior project members.
Additional experience and knowledge in any of the following areas would be highly valued: analytical laboratory experience, especially prior work on wastewater samples or water analysis, experience in plant culture and growth, synthesis of quantitative and qualitative data, scholarly review and compiling datasets; statistical and spatial analysis.
Achievement of the expected progression within Post Doc and Senior Post Doc is transferable between the Irish HEI's. This can be reflected in the starting pay of a PD researcher. Similarly, as the PD scheme is an intergenerational training scheme completion of PD1 or PD 2 levels in one HEI will normally render that researcher ineligible for appointment at a similar level in another Irish HEI Researcher Career Development Framework | Irish Universities Association
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
Project Title: Pasture Irrigation with Treated Wastewater: Challenges, Risks and Opportunities (PiTCROP)
Post Duration: 24 months, whole-time Post
Application Instructions
For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see https://ore.ucc.ie/ The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Tim Sullivan, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences; Email: [email protected]
For further information on the Department: School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) | University College Cork
University College Cork is committed to being a fully inclusive global university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core values under our UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028. UCC holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of age, care-giving status, disability, ethnicity, gender and/or gender identity or expression status, nationality, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/creed, and/or sexual orientation. We are committed to supporting all staff through flexible working schemes, family-friendly policies, training and development, and staff networks. We value the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seek to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual in line with equality legislation. We encourage applicants to consult our Dignity and Respect Policy and learn more about our EDI related initiatives.
Appointment may be made on the IUA PD1 Salary Scale: €47, 273 - €53, 925 p.a.
Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.
We encourage you to reach out to us directly should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process.
Please note interviews will be conducted either online via Microsoft Teams or in person in the first instance. Candidates may also be required to attend interviews in person if an interview takes place online. Candidates will be notified as appropriate.
Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal https://ore.ucc.ie/ Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to [email protected] quoting the job-title.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, July 17th, 2026.
No late applications will be accepted.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector
Document
Candidate Brief_549.pdf 2.77 MB
Apply
The Sustainability Institute/School of BEES are now recruiting for a Post-Doctoral Researcher to work on the EPA-funded PiTCROP project (Pasture irrigation with treated wastewater: challenges, risks and opportunities). The PiTCROP project is exploring how treated municipal wastewater could be safely reused to irrigate pasture, grassland, and other non-food crops in Ireland, helping to inform future water and agricultural policy.
The project brings together stakeholder insights from Ireland and internationally to understand attitudes, opportunities, and best practice around wastewater reuse. It also includes laboratory and glasshouse trials assessing the effects of treated wastewater on grass species such as ryegrass and white clover under different climate stress conditions. Ultimately, PiTCROP aims to develop a practical, risk-based framework to support evidence-led decision-making on wastewater reuse in Irish agriculture, particularly in the context of increasing water scarcity and climate extremes.
The key role as a postdoctoral researcher joining this project will be:
1. To collect and organise chemical and microbial analysis of wastewater samples.
2. To strongly influence the direction of irrigation trials and stakeholder assessments.
3. Drive publication of results, and engagement with project stakeholders; and,
4. Play an active role in mentoring/co-supervision of junior project members.
Additional experience and knowledge in any of the following areas would be highly valued: analytical laboratory experience, especially prior work on wastewater samples or water analysis, experience in plant culture and growth, synthesis of quantitative and qualitative data, scholarly review and compiling datasets; statistical and spatial analysis.
Achievement of the expected progression within Post Doc and Senior Post Doc is transferable between the Irish HEI's. This can be reflected in the starting pay of a PD researcher. Similarly, as the PD scheme is an intergenerational training scheme completion of PD1 or PD 2 levels in one HEI will normally render that researcher ineligible for appointment at a similar level in another Irish HEI Researcher Career Development Framework | Irish Universities Association
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
Project Title: Pasture Irrigation with Treated Wastewater: Challenges, Risks and Opportunities (PiTCROP)
Post Duration: 24 months, whole-time Post
Application Instructions
For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see https://ore.ucc.ie/ The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Tim Sullivan, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences; Email: [email protected]
For further information on the Department: School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) | University College Cork
University College Cork is committed to being a fully inclusive global university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core values under our UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028. UCC holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of age, care-giving status, disability, ethnicity, gender and/or gender identity or expression status, nationality, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/creed, and/or sexual orientation. We are committed to supporting all staff through flexible working schemes, family-friendly policies, training and development, and staff networks. We value the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seek to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual in line with equality legislation. We encourage applicants to consult our Dignity and Respect Policy and learn more about our EDI related initiatives.
Appointment may be made on the IUA PD1 Salary Scale: €47, 273 - €53, 925 p.a.
Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.
We encourage you to reach out to us directly should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process.
Please note interviews will be conducted either online via Microsoft Teams or in person in the first instance. Candidates may also be required to attend interviews in person if an interview takes place online. Candidates will be notified as appropriate.
Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal https://ore.ucc.ie/ Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to [email protected] quoting the job-title.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, July 17th, 2026.
No late applications will be accepted.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector
Document
Candidate Brief_549.pdf 2.77 MB
Apply
