Job Description
Duration:
Permanent . 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:
The appointee will be required to lead the operation of an active animal grassland/nutrition laboratory at Teagasc Moorepark. They will be required to organize and support the analysis of primarily feed (grass, silage concentrate), digestive tract, blood and milk samples generated from ongoing and future research experiments at Teagasc. They will be required to ensure that the analytical methodologies are undertaken in accordance with the laboratory standard operating procedures as well as establishing new assays and methodologies. They will be required to lead and supervise the maintenance and up-keep of the associated laboratory analytical equipment. They will be responsible for managing and ordering consumables required by the laboratory. Further duties include the supervision and training of undergraduate and graduate students operating in the laboratory and the maintenance of a laboratory research database.
Background:
The position will be based at Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Teagasc Moorepark is the site of the dairy research programme and it investigates aspects of dairy production research such as nutrition and milk composition, grassland and grazing management, breeding and reproduction, health and welfare, milking technology, milk production systems, environmental and economic analysis. The research programme is conducted by over 40 scientific and technical professionals, supported by administrative and operative staff. Moorepark operates a total of 7 individual dairy research farms totalling 500 hectares and over 1,000 dairy cows. We are now seeking to recruit a highly qualified and enthusiastic grassland/animal nutrition laboratory technologist whose interests focus on feed chemical composition analysis and animal nutrition. The successful candidate will lead the operation of the expanding Teagasc animal nutrition laboratory to ensure delivery of the objectives of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme with a spefic focus on Grassland science.
Job Objectives
- Planning, co ordinating, implementing and managing the day to day activities of a modern animal/grassland analysis laboratory
- Assigning daily work duties, supervising, training, managing and leading technical, farm and other support staff assigned to the program.
- To carry out sample analysis and assist in establishing new laboratory methods
- To manage grass/silage samples, animal intake samples for processing from a range of experiments and farms across Teagasc research network
- Overseeing, calibrating field and laboratory research equipment, ensuring such equipment is operating at a high level of efficiency
- Ensuring that field research trials are executed in accordance with standard operating procedures.
- To undertake quality control of laboratory analyses and ensure good data management
- To maintain a laboratory on-line feed database
- To carry out electronic data entry of research samples using Teagasc LIMS system and recording of results
- To maintain inventory of the chemical store
- To assist in the supervision and training of postgraduate students operating in the laboratory
- To contribute to the teamwork and team-spirit in the laboratory
- To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
- To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
- To fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations, including full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
- To carry out other duties as may be assigned 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 analytical science, agricultural science, bioscience, or a related discipline
- A postgraduate degree in chemistry or analytical chemistry would be a distinct advantage
- Research experience in feed chemistry or animal nutrition
Skills
- Experience of working with analytical laboratory equipment
- Excellent laboratory skills, organization skills, report writing and data analysis
- Database management and development skills
- Excellent time management skills with the ability to work to tight deadlines in an efficient manner
- Experience of working in a methodical manner
- Ability to work both autonomously and in a constructive environment
- Ability to problem solve
- Good flexibility with a willingness to adapt to new methods/techniques
- Good oral & written communication skills
- People and resource management skills
- Experience in developing standard operating procedures and protocols
- Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS)
- Statistical analysis, method validation and experimental design
Knowledge
- Knowledge of analysis quality assurance and data quality control
- Knowledge of handling laboratory samples
- Knowledge of H&S protocols
- Knowledge of animal nutrition wet chemistry analysis methods
- Knowledge of the Irish dairy industry
Behavioural Competencies
- A structured approach to work, with an ability to plan and prioritise by importance and urgency
- Ability to work on own initiative and collaboratively with others
- Ability to critically analyse, problem-solve and demonstrates a high level of attention to detail
- A positive, proactive solutions-focused approach to work
- Ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences
- Flexible with an ability to adapt to changing requirements/priorities#
- Strives for high quality work and demonstrates commitment to the programme
- Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders.
- Demonstrates a positive approach to new challenges and dissemination of new tasks
Other
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.
