Ireland Job Openings

Teagasc

Contract Technician – Food and Microbiomes

Fermoy

FULL TIME

October 21, 2024

Location: Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.

Technician

Salary: Technician Grade 1 with a Salary Scale of €35,946 to €46,985

Closing Date: 08/11/2024 12:00 PM

Funded Full Time

Job Description

Duration:
Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 12 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:
Teagasc seeks to recruit an enthusiastic and ambitious scientist to a Horizon Europe-funded position as part of the DOMINO project. The successful candidate will contribute to assessment of the impact of multiple types of fermented food on the gut microbiome, using an in vitro model of the distal colon. Sample foods for testing will be supplied from multiple collaborating labs across Europe. The successful applicant will liaise and support these multiple academic partners to achieve the aims of the project. For this reason the candidate should be familiar with microbiome research, and the requirements around working in a Biosafety Level 2 laboratory.

Background:
DOMINO is an EU H2020-funded Research Innovation Action commencing in March 2023. Teagasc is key a partner in DOMINO which aims to harness the microbial potential of fermented foods for healthy and sustainable food systems. Overall, the project takes a multipronged approach to address these challenges. Randomised control trials will seek to establish a functional impact of fermented foods on health. Microbiome expertise will be used to develop new and novel fermented foods, and improve the sustainability of the food production process via the application of synthetic ecology-based approaches. Associated analysis methods will generate informatics tools for the wider research community. In addition, the project will assess the public perception of fermented foods from groups across Europe, and incorporate this into the design and development components of the project.
This is a research focused role, which will allow the successful applicant to develop their skills and competencies with the support senior research staff in Teagasc, and liaising with multiple academic and industrial collaborators.
The Teagasc Food Programme is located at two sites, Moorepark Food Research Centre (Fermoy, Co. Cork) and Ashtown Food Research Centre (Dublin 15). The programme is based on applied research which involves significant industry engagement. In addition to its own programme, Teagasc participates in many large research initiatives (APC Microbiome Ireland, Vista Milk Research Centre, the Dairy Processing Technology Centre, Meat Technology Ireland and Food for Health Ireland) with industry partners and other research providers in the university sector. The current role will be located at the Moorepark research site, where significant food and health related research takes place and which hosts relevant infrastructure such as the Moorepark Technology Ltd. pilot plant, a dedicated food safety laboratory, the Teagasc/APC Microbiome Ireland Sequencing Centre, the National Food Imaging Centre and the Food Biotest facility.

Job Objectives

Duties & Responsibilities

Lead on the day to day lab processes for data generation determining the effect of fermented foods on the gut microbiome. The individual will receive fermented food samples from laboratories based around Europe, and apply those samples to a lab-based fermentation model of the distal colon using the micro-Matrix Bioreactor system. The successful candidate will subsequently extract DNA from the faecal samples and prepare libraries for Illumina sequencing.
This includes contributing to the optimization of the lab processes studying fermented food microbiomes processes for technological valorization, production scale-up, and food safety purposes.
Engage with partners from collaborating organizations to ensure successful project delivery.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

Help interpret research findings and help prepare scientific and popular press publications and reports.
Disseminate research findings to a variety of audiences as appropriate, including though Education and Public Engagement activities (e.g., school visits).
Health & Safety Co-ordinator Duties or such other Health & Safety Duties as may be assigned from time to time.
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.
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.
Any 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 6 qualification, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in Food Science & Technology, or Microbiology, or a related discipline

A postgraduate degree and/or research or industrial experience in microbiology or microbiome research would be a distinct advantage

Skills/Knowledge

Demonstrated excellent microbiological laboratory skills, including organisational skills, data recording, report writing and data analysis.
An ability to collaborate with team members (e.g., Ph D students) to help achieve project aims.
Excellent dissemination/communication skills (oral, written, presentation) with a proven record of scientific communication.
Demonstrated research and technical expertise in microbiology.

Experience working at Bio Safety Level 2.
Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches.
Excellent inter-personal skills.
Experience in conducting trials in food industry environment
Demonstrated project management skills.
Ability to generate new ideas, and solutions.
Molecular biology experience
Knowledge of microbiome analysis of relevance to foods (especially fermented foods).

Behavioural Competencies

Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key partners.
Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos
Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.
Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.
Eagerness to learn and apply new skills

Other

Candidates will ideally satisfy legal requirements to drive unaccompanied on Irish public roads, would be an advantage.

Eligibility

This is an open public competition. Should a current serving Teagasc staff member be successful in their application through open public competition for this post, their current contract of employment with Teagasc will come to an end on taking up this post.

Gender, Diversity and Inclusion
At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives, for the benefit of all in the organisation.
We are committed to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.
We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.

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