Job Description
Duration:
Temporary contract post, the indicative duration of which is 6 months, subject to contract. A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled; such a panel will remain active for a maximum period of 12 months.
Basic Function:
To support a multidisciplinary ruminant livestock research programme on animal nutrition, health and product quality. Specific duties will include:
- Conducting laboratory analysis of animal tissue, blood and gut digesta
- Assist with laboratory management.
- Assist with implementation and on-going monitoring of Teagasc Health and Safety policy.
Background:
The ruminant livestock sector is a major contributor to the value of Ireland’s agri-food industry. For example, the cumulatively the beef, dairy and sheep sectors account for almost 70% of the total value of Irish agricultural output in 2023 generating approximately €8.5bn. Teagasc plays a key role in developing and supporting competitive, profitable and sustainable systems of pasture based ruminant livestock production in Ireland. Indeed, working collaboratively with both national and international partners, Teagasc has invested heavily in the development of a cutting edge fundamental research programme to underpin its applied ruminant livestock research and dissemination remit. This includes state of the art genetics, genomics, microbiology, animal health and product quality research facilities. Such investment, in conjunction with major stakeholder support and implementation has allowed Ireland to become a world leader in the application of state of the art technology to the study of the underlying biology of animal nutrition, digestive and growth physiology and supporting the adoption of genetics and genomics based technology at industry level.
Teagasc are seeking to appoint a highly qualified and enthusiastic Research Technologist in Ruminant Animal Science and Biotechnology to support a cutting edge research programme to underpin the continued development and sustainability of the Irish ruminant livestock based production sector. The successful candidate’s research duties will have particular emphasis on conducting laboratory analyses to support on-going and planned research studies investigating the impact of nutrition and genetics on the biological performance of cattle, and how these management interventions influence both economic and environmental sustainability of ruminant livestock production. In particular, the interaction between the animal and its constituent rumen microbiome will be a key focus of the research programme with emphasis on developing a better understanding of forage consumption and digestion, ruminal methanogenesis and nitrogen use efficiency. This work will further complement the role of Teagasc as a key player in, and leader of a large number of national and internationally funded research projects examining genetic and nutritional factors influencing the feed efficiency, growth, product quality and GHG emissions from ruminant livestock production systems.
The Grange campus is part of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre in Teagasc and has extensive facilities for field and laboratory research. These include pasture and overwintering facilities for in excess of 1100 cattle including 200 beef cows and their progeny to finish. Field and laboratory resources include state of the art electronic individual feed intake and methane emissions measurement equipment; in vitro based feed digestibility systems; an in vivo feed digestibility research unit and a suite of animal nutrition, animal health, microbiology and molecular biology based laboratories to support a world-class beef cattle research programme. Indeed, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and multidisciplinary team of researchers and technical staff across Teagasc’s Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme which includes Grange (beef), Moorepark (dairy) and Athenry (sheep) research centres
Job Objectives
- Provide technical laboratory analytical support to an innovative ruminant animal science research programme focused on the exploitation of state of the art molecular based science to support improved economic and environmental sustainability of ruminant livestock based production systems.
- Assist in the management of the laboratory resources.
- Support the training and laboratory analytical requirements of postgraduate students.
- Ensure the accuracy of data generated from laboratory analysis
- Procure laboratory consumables and analytical equipment service contracts as required.
- Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
- Contribute to the teamwork and team spirit in the Animal & Bioscience Department, and foster and add to further collaboration and integration across scientific disciplines.
- Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service charter and action plan.
- Actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
- Carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Department, Head of Programme or Director of Research from time to time.
- This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive. It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.
Skills Requirement
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
- A Level 8 degree (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in Science, Biotechnology, Agricultural Science or a related discipline.
- Post-graduate degree in application of biotechnology to ruminant livestock based research would be a distinct advantage.
Skills
- Laboratory analytical skills:
- Data collation
- Computer literate, with proficiency in the use of MS Office, Word, excel, Powerpoint and Outlook.
- Bioinformatics skills with particular emphasis on metagenomics
Knowledge
- Laboratory analyses of animal tissues including and digesta including nucleic acid extraction
- Knowledge of histology and immunohistochemistry procedures
Behavioural Competencies
- Ability to work on own initiative and to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders.
- Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.
- Flexible approach to work with ability to priorities tasks effectively.
- Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.
- Demonstration of innovation within previous research.
- A results-driven individual with a strong focus on goal-setting, performance delivery and accountability.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach to work with an ability to adapt to changing requirements.
- Ability to set clear standards, to lead by example, with a quality customer service focus.
Note: The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.
Note: Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.
