Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has a vacancy for a Research Officer – Acoustic Telemetry to join the PeacePlus FLOW project team in the Research and Development (R&D) division. The FLOW Project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
The ideal candidate will have expertise in acoustic telemetry and freshwater fisheries ecology, with strong field skills in deploying receivers, capturing and tagging fish, and managing aquatic monitoring programmes. They will play a key role in identifying critical habitats for Lough Melvin’s unique trout populations and translating telemetry data into practical conservation actions. With experience in project management, procurement, and stakeholder engagement, they will liaise effectively across agencies, landowners, and angling groups in a cross-border context. A solid understanding of habitat assessment, Water Framework Directive monitoring, and reporting is essential to support evidence-based fish habitat management

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Inland Fisheries Ireland are the environmental agency responsible for protecting, managing and conserving Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
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KEY EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have the following:

The appointee will operate in the cross-border Lough Melvin catchment to advance the FLOW project Acoustic Telemetry (AT) activity aims. This will involve the deployment of acoustic telemetry receivers throughout Lough Melvin and its inflowing tributaries and tag adult and juvenile trout to monitor their movements and habitat usage at different life stages. The project will be particularly interested in lake-to-tributary spawning migrations and the extent to which different tributary zones are used during this critical life cycle stage. Habitat occupancy data for adults will be complemented by in-tributary juvenile occupancy data to identify important nursery habitat in spawning tributaries. These spatial distribution data will be used to identify important fish habitat and a demonstration prioritisation exercise will be carried out to show how telemetry data can be utilised in fish habitat management.
The appointee will engage with local angling clubs to assist with the collection of adult lake trout samples for tagging purposes. The appointee will also work with the other project partners to achieve successful implementation of the range of tasks within the project, including overseeing procurement, facilitating appropriate assessment screenings and reports and assist with other monitoring elements.

The main responsibilities will include:

• Day to day delivery of the FLOW project (AT element) under the guidance of the Senior Research Officer/Research Officer.