Location: Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co Meath, C15 PW93
Technologist
Salary: Technologist Grade 1 with a Salary Scale of €41,996 to €79,618
Closing Date: 10/03/2026 12:00 PM
Funded Full Time
Job Description
Duration:
Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 24 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
We wish to recruit a dynamic and suitably qualified research technologist to support the Biochar project with particular focus on experimental research in laboratory-scale AD digesters and biochemical methane potential assays. The focus will be poultry and cattle slurry feedstock and the impact of biochar addition to these feedstocks in biogas production, process stability, and potential mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The technologist will work closely with researchers, technical staff and industry partners, and will generate high-quality empirical datasets to provide guidelines for biochar application in AD, farmer/industry adoption assessments, and policy-relevant reporting. The position combines experimental design, data synthesis, and stakeholder engagement, with a strong emphasis on knowledge transfer and real-world feasibility. The role provides professional development while contributing directly to nationally significant outputs in climate mitigation, renewable energy production and agricultural sustainability.
Background
Grange is part of the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre in Teagasc and has extensive facilities for field and laboratory research in animal and grassland science. Grange is also the location of a pilot farm-scale anaerobic digester for research and demonstration. Teagasc has an international reputation for researching and developing grass-based systems of livestock production and this candidate will work with a dynamic team of researchers, technologists, technicians, farm staff and specialists at Grange.
Biochar is a Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine funded project which aims to consolidate knowledge and experience on biochar. Biochar is a solid product from thermochemical decomposition of biomass usually in absence or with limited oxygen. Depending on the raw material and the conditions used during its production it might present characteristics that can enhance anaerobic digestion (AD), such as high porosity and adsorption characteristics, micronutrients potentially available, and high electrical conductivity properties. The project aims to fill the gap in the evaluation of the biochar utilisation in AD, and to assess the best strategy to add biochar into anaerobic digesters to produce a baseline AD performance assessment.
Job Objectives
* Perform lab scale trials to investigate the effect of biochar on Methane production.
* Perform physical-chemical characteristics of feedstock and digester content.
* To undertake microbiome analysis for determination of impact of biochar on the microbial community dynamics.
* Contribute to refinement of experimental protocols.
* Contribute to the development of guidelines for biochar application in pilot and farm scale AD digester.
* Experimental recording and database management.
* Contribute to AD Lab organisation, management and development.
* Supervision of farm staff and students as required.
* Disseminate information generated from the Teagasc Grange anaerobic digestion research in the form of print, video and digital contributions and presentations to farmers, industry partners, and project stakeholders.
* To support the writing of scientific articles and research including contributions in relation to methodological aspects of proposed studies.
* 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 Microbiology, Environmental Science, Engineering or a related discipline.
* A postgraduate degree and/or research experience in anaerobic digestion would be a distinct advantage
Skills
* Excellent laboratory skills, organization skills, report writing and data analysis
* Communication and dissemination skills.
* Decision-making and problem-solving skills.
* People and resource management skills.
* Data handling and computer skills.
* Proven record of scientific communications.
* Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches.
Knowledge
* Knowledge of lab-scale AD digester operation.
* Knowledge of the key factors involved in the production of biogas from AD.
* Knowledge of microbial interactions in AD.
* Knowledge of laboratory analysis: chemical oxygen demand (COD) and volatile solids (VS); bicarbonate alkalinity and volatile fatty acids (VFA) alkalinity ratio, individual VFA; total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN), soluble sulphide, trace metals using ICP, among others.
Behavioural Competencies
* Ability 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.
* Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.
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.