Location: Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
Technologist
Salary: Technologist Grade 1 with a Salary Scale of €41,996 to €79,618
Closing Date: 04/11/2025 12:00 PM
Funded Full Time
Job Description
Duration:
Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 42 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 are seeking to recruit a Milking Management Technologist. The successful candidate will be involved in:
* Collaborating with researchers, farm staff and industry partners to ensure successful implementation of milking experiments on dairy cows aimed at increasing milking efficiency while improving milk quality and animal health.
* Collecting, archiving and summarising data from milking management experiments.
* Interacting with industry and academic project partners to ensure successful completion of the project milestones.
* Dissemination of knowledge generated to the wider scientific and farming communities.
Background:
Overarching objective of this project is to harness untapped potential within milking equipment by tailoring it to individual animal lactation physiology to unlock benefits for the farmer, milking operator and the animal. There is a lack of understanding around how milking parlour performance can be optimised while taking into account milk quality and cow health through analysis of milking time sensor data. This project will address these key issues through a combination of empirical data acquisition and data analytics. This project is funded by the VistaMilk Research Ireland Centre and is a collaboration between Teagasc, University of Limerick and industrial partners. For more information on the VistaMilk center see:
Job Objectives
* To coordinate, implement and manage milking efficiency experiments at the Teagasc Moorepark Research Centre.
* To evaluate the effects of changing milking machine settings on milking efficiency.
* To disseminate research findings to a variety of audiences as appropriate.
* Report and discuss progress updates to the Research Project Management Group.
* 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 8 degree (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in Engineering, Science, Animal/agricultural science, or a related discipline).
* MSc or PhD in a relevant discipline would be an advantage.
Skills/ Knowledge
* Demonstrated ability to manage projects
* Proven ability to work within a team
* Knowledge of dairy farming
* Knowledge of the milking process
* Excellent problem solving skills
* Ability to manage resources, including budgets and staff
* Experience in statistical analysis
* Experience in handling of large datasets
* Knowledge of experimental design
* Excellent communication skills
* Demonstrated research and technical expertise in data analysis
* Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals etc.)
Behavioural Competencies
* Ability to work on own initiative and to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with industry partners and key stakeholders.
* Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.
* Flexible approach to work with an ability to prioritise 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
* Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos
Other
As this role will involve driving vehicles, candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.
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.
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.