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
The appointed Research Officer will play a pivotal role in the delivery of the CIRCULAR-IMTA-DEMO project, contributing significantly to commercialisation & innovation and will help coordinate the development and operation of the CIRCULAR IMTA DEMO pilot site, supporting the demonstration and market readiness of innovative food, feed, and digital products. The role combines strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and commercialization expertise to ensure successful product-market fit and sustainable impact.
This position requires exceptional project management and writing skills, alongside excellent communication abilities and the capacity to organise, manage, and prioritise a substantial workload under tight deadlines.
This role is ideal for a scientist capable of thriving in a dynamic environment with a strong interest in mission-oriented research that advances scale up of processes, economic and!-environmental sustainability. The appointee will work closely with the broader Teagasc project team to ensure timely delivery of project objectives and effectively disseminate research outcomes to scientific communities, agri‑food industry stakeholders, government bodies, and other state agencies.
Based at the Teagasc National Prepared Consumer Food (NPCF) Centre in Ashtown, Dublin 15, the Research Officer will collaborate with senior research staff and external stakeholders including industry. They will gain invaluable experience in areas such as project and budgetary management, fostering active collaborations with industry, national and international research communities, intellectual property management and commercialisation, enhancing communication and presentation skills, and potentially mentoring students. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful research and commercialisation while لاست developing professionally in a multidisciplinary and innovative environment.
Background
The Mount Lucas Circular Bioeconomy Aquaculture Initiative is an ambitious, commercially‑focused interdisciplinary demonstration project leveraging a novel recirculating, peatland‑based integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) site at Mount Lucas. The initiative aims to demonstrate scalable value‑chain products, including new feeds and foods derived from cultivated duckweed and macroalgae, utilising waste streams effectively.
The CIRCULAR-IMTA-DEMONSTRATION PROJECT focuses on integrated and sustainable economic development, showcasing the production of commercial products (TRL 6+) through a holistic, multi‑actor approach tailored for the Midlands Just Transition territory. This unique project incorporates cutting‑edge digital tools for performance monitoring and management, as well as immersive extended‑reality training, offering innovative and climate‑resilient pathways for sustainable economic growth. By engaging key stakeholders— including industry, primary producers, policymakers, local communities, and academia—the project fosters the development of new products and jobs.
The initiative maximises the potential of fish waste streams by converting them into biofertilisers to cultivate macroalgae and duckweed, which are then biorefined and valorised into commercial feed and food products/ingredients. This circular bioeconomy model enables piloting, scaling, and cooperative activities to address existing barriers while unlocking new opportunities. Through its integrated approach, CIRCULAR-IMTA-DEMO sets a benchmark for advancing sustainable, circular practices and supporting economic Choik transition in the region.
Job Objectives
Facilitate stakeholder engagement and innovation & commercialisation activities related to the project deliverables
Facilitate testing and development of industry and entrepreneurial innovations
Ensure appropriate IP management andбри business model development
Coordinate with academia, industry, government, and society under the quadruple helix model
Engage rural communities and policymakers for co‑creation and inclusive development
Delivery and implementation of the project, work plan as detailed in the Grant Agreement to meet agreed milestones and deliverables
Provide an effective administrative framework to support the ongoing development of the research project/area
Support design of experiments and processing trials, laboratory/pilot plant management activities associated with the project
Transfer٥-action from pilot plant outcomes, including production, processing, and shelf‑life studies, to the demonstration site at Mt. Lucas, and develop comprehensive SOPs to ensure consistency and scalability
Provide specific technical inputs to the research agenda such as literature review, data analysis and preparing reports
Write and contribute to research reports, policy briefs and other documents
Present research results internally and externally at conferences, meetings, including preparing presentations\(Funczeption) 3>Disseminate research results through web pages, media conferences etc.
Represent the research project/area at events, meetings and networking
Administer financial and budgetary functions, including purchasing and cost controls
Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan
Actively participate in the annual business planning and PMDS processes
Fully cooperate 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, including full compliance with responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement
Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time
Note: 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.
Qualifications
An honours Level 8 degree (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in food/chemical/agriculture/industrial engineering or a related discipline.
oil? 2>↶A postgraduate degree and/or research experience in food/chemical/agriculture/industrial engineering would be a distinct advantage.
Skills / Knowledge
Excellent writing and organisation skills.\ geholpen 1pett,2>Demonstrate achievements in delivering results on a research project or in a research area.
Experience in industry engagement and Project Management.
Knowledge of both the food processing and marine processing fields of research.
Knowledge of intellectual property and commercialisation.
Accurate, with attention to detail and an ability to work.
Proven record of scientific communications.
Experience in large‑scale operations.
Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches.
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.
Commitment toottie 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 oncea taking_ignore 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.
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