Food Omics Technologist (Permanent)

at  Teagasc

Location: Food Research Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, P61 C996
Technologist
Salary: Technologist Grade 1 with a Salary Scale of €39,683 to €75,761
Closing Date: 12/06/2024 12:00 PM
Please Specify

BASIC FUNCTION:

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic candidate in the area of advanced analytics, including expertise in analytical and preparative chromatography and mass spectrometry of relevance to the omics based analysis of foods and food components. Expertise in fractionation, filtration and dehydration technologies is also desirable.
The candidate will contribute to the on-going research activities at Teagasc on analysis of foods and food ingredients/fractions. Specifically they will be responsible for coordinating and conducting laboratory work in well-equipped laboratories, which include instrumentation such as HPLCs with various detectors, LCMS, FPLCs, freeze-driers, filtration units and GCs/GC-MS in addition to techniques involving column chromatography. This is a hands-on role requiring excellent technical skills, a proven record working with high-end laboratory equipment and a proven ability to upskill to meet the evolving demands of the research programme and the food industry. The candidate will have an engineering or science background and the position could suit a person with industry experience. They must be able to successfully coordinate and complete designated research tasks and have a proven capacity for problem solving. The candidate will also play a key role in liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
The daily functions will vary from laboratory-based tasks including the operation and management of analytical instrumentation, to the development of new methodologies, to training of staff/students to associated data analysis. Contributions will also be required to the planning of experiments; the operating and maintaining of laboratory/computer equipment, supervising and training of facility users, booking of users, health and safety duties, ordering inventory, maintaining quality standards, SOPs, etc. As a core member of the Food Biosciences Department and the Teagasc Food Programme, the ability to multi-task across several disciplines will be an essential competency for the completion of this role. This role will include glycomics, preteomics, and metabolomics.

QUALIFICATIONS

At the time of applying, candidates must have

• A QQI Level 8 degree in an appropriate science-related discipline such as Biotechnology, Chemistry, Microbiology or similar.
• Relevant research or analytical experience would be a distinct advantage.

SKILLS

• Practical experience in the operation of sophisticated laboratory equipment of relevance to foodomic-based analysis.
• Proven ability to coordinate the use of laboratory facilities.
• Proven ability to perform concurrent tasks, work independently, take initiative, prioritise and deliver agreed objectives.
• Proven ability to train users in equipment operations and research techniques.
• Proven ability to develop new methodologies and technical standard operation procedures (SOPs) for instrumentation / laboratory practices as required.
• Experience of appropriate data handling and computer skills.
• Experience in instrumentation maintenance
• Experience in procurement of laboratory consumables
• Relevant experience in the characterisation of foods as well as purification/characterisation of food components and scale-up would be a distinct advantage.
• Experience of down-stream processing (DSP) and high level analytical techniques, e.g. HPLC, GC-MS.
• Implementation of health & safety procedures within a laboratory environment

KNOWLEDGE

• Background knowledge relating to food composition and approaches taken to characterise food components
• General understanding of food chemistry
• Knowledge of new and emerging developments in food (food ingredient) analysis

Please refer the Job description for details