Teagasc Jobs

JOB TITLE: CONTRACT TECHNICIAN – PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGIST (REF: PMB/OP/0212)

POST TYPE: Temporary Funded Contract post, the indicative duration of which is 37 months, subject to contract.

A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled.

TITLE OF PROJECT: Assessing and Monitoring the Impacts of genetically modified potatoes on the Irish agri-system (RMIS 6269).

LOCATION: Crops, Environment & Land-Use Centre, Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow. Additional periods may be required in Johnstown, Co. Wexford.

REPORTING TO: Head of Department and/or other nominated manager.

GRADE/SALARY: Technician, with a starting salary of €26,950 per annum. The current salary scale is €26,950 to €33,636.

Starting pay will be at the minimum of the scale per Government Circular E100/8/82.  Exceptional circumstances may apply for candidates with current or previous service in the public sector (including Teagasc).

Remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy

BASIC FUNCTION:

We seek a highly motivated candidate to achieve multiple research tasks, encompassing several disciplines including (but not exclusive to) plant pathology, crop agronomy and physiology, molecular biology and functional genomics. He/she must be able to successfully manage the completion of research project tasks and critically have a proven capacity for problem solving. The ability to communicate scientific objectives and datasets in a non-scientific manner is also essential as the candidate will play a central role in project dissemination. He/she will be required to liaise with project partners in Germany, Denmark and Italy in accordance with the objectives of Project AMIGA. Daily functions will vary from intensive field-based studies, to glasshouse experiments, to genomic sequencing and subsequent bioinformatic analysis. Hence the ability to multi-task across several disciplines will be an essential competency for the completion of the project.

BACKGROUND:

As part of the Teagasc Crop Biosciences Initiative, Teagasc has been researching the impact of specific GM crops on the Irish agri-environment. Resulting studies have highlighted the relevance of GM late blight resistant potato in light of future environmental and legislative challenges and the potential impact this crop could have on the Irish agri-environment. Supported through the EU’s 7thFramework, Teagasc is a partner of a large research consortium that has been tasked with assessing and monitoring the impacts of GM plants on agro-ecosystems (termed project AMIGA), with specific emphasis on GM late blight resistant potato. As a partner in this consortium Teagasc will:

Quantify the impact of GM potato on bacterial, fungal, nematode and earthworm biodiversity, compared to a conventional potato system.

Identify integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and components which could be positively or negatively affected by the adoption of GM late blight resistant potato.

Use the GM study as a source of education and dissemination to assist in the ongoing public discussion on the potential impact of GM crop technology.

Teagasc is the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority and, as such, undertakes national land-use research, teaching and advisory activities. Its mission is to support science-based innovation in the agri-food sector and the broader bioeconomy that will underpin competitiveness and sustainability. Teagasc is internationally recognized for its research programme on Crops, Environment and Land Use and is Ireland’s leading research institute on matters pertaining to the rural environment. More specifically in regard to nutrient efficiency, water quality, gaseous emissions, soil quality, agro-ecology and the impact assessment of GM cultivars.

Since 2000, Teagasc has continually invested in biotechnology to underpin its existing crop and environmental sciences research programme. As a result, the Teagasc Centres at Oak Park and Johnstown, Wexford are fully equipped for the completion of all the necessary genomics research required for this project. These include molecular laboratories and associated core equipment facilities along with contained glasshouse facilities for the cultivation of GM cultivars

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Complete all research tasks as directed by line manager to ensure the successful completion of Teagasc’s role in Project AMIGA.

Conduct extensive field-based studies focussing on the population dynamics of the late blight organism Phytophthora infestans, soil-borne bacteria and nematode species and also on the implementation of Integrated Pest Management strategies for sustainable potato production.

Complete glasshouse host-pathogen experiments to determine optimum sampling strategies

Constantly review and collate scientific literature relevant to the project’s goals.

Carry out genomic analyses on collected samples from Irish field sites and on samples donated from European partners.

Ensure that research tasks are completed on time and in accordance with the highest scientific standards to ensure datasets are suitably constructed to be submitted for international peer review and subsequent publication in high impact scientific journals.

Be able to effectively communicate consequence of generated datasets in a non-scientific format, be that through print, visual and/or social media.

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.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Note: The ‘Essential’ qualifications, skills and knowledge outlined below are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the shortlisting process. 

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