Postgraduate Fellowships: The Walsh Fellowships

Objectives

The main objectives of the Fellowships are:

1. Training and professional development of young scientists in research in agriculture, food and related disciplines.
2. Liaison between Teagasc's applied research programme and more basic/fundamental investigations in third-level colleges.
3. Establishing 'new science' areas in Teagasc in response to changing priorities.

Topics

All aspects of agriculture, horticulture, food, agri-food economics, rural development and rural environment, as well as specific topics identified for priority funding each year.

Applications for Walsh Fellowship Projects

Notice is sent, by poster and e-mail, to all third-level colleges in Ireland in November each year. Applications are made by full-time academic staff of the universities in consultation with Teagasc researchers.

Applications are evaluated using the following criteria:

• Scientific background and technical quality of the application
• Tasks: Deliverables and milestones
• Expected benefits
• Supervision and resources

On approval, a graduate student is recruited to an MSc or PhD programme.

Education and Development

Teagasc is committed to a co-ordinated professional development strategy for postgraduate students.

The Fellowship scheme requires that participating students achieve a level of statistical expertise in experimental methods appropriate to a Master’s or PhD programme. It is the responsibility, therefore, of the college and Teagasc supervisors that students attend and pass such statistical courses as are available to them.

In addition, postgraduate students are expected to acquire competence in the following areas:

• Reviewing and analysing literature
• Technical writing skills
• Presentation skills
• Specific technical skills (e.g. laboratory assays/analyses, time management)

Duration and Location

• Up to two years for an MSc and a maximum of four years for a PhD
• Preferably located at a Teagasc research centre