Basic Function

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and skilled Meat Technologist to undertake research as part of the Meat Technology Ireland (MTI) Centre based in Teagasc Ashtown. This project provides an excellent opportunity for a Technologist with expertise in meat science to join our research team and expand their knowledge and develop their skills through research of strategic importance to the Irish meat sector. The Meat Technologist will investigate and optimise innovative approaches to bovine carcass processing including hot boning and related carcass and meat processing interventions with a view to enhancing quality and sustainability in meat processing sector. The team will assess the impact of a range of post-mortem carcass handling methods on yield and meat quality with a focus on valuable muscles, but in consideration of further processing meat from the forequarter. The successful candidate will help design and participate in trials conducted in Teagasc Ashtown and commercial meat processing plants. They will be responsible for co-ordination of trials, they will participate in meat sampling and data collection from the hot carcass such as pH and temperature recording and meat quality analysis of individual boned out muscles, as well as supporting the collation and management of resultant data. They will also participate in meat quality data analysis on individual meat cuts. The work will also involve co-ordinating with colleagues in Food Safety and in Sensory Analysis who will monitor shelf life of meat and assess sensory quality of the beef and liaison with industry partners. The post will be based in Teagasc Ashtown, and will include an element of regular sampling at commercial boning halls.

Background

Hot boning is the process of deboning meat while still warm. It has specific advantages over conventional cold boning in terms of energy efficiency and quality but a number of factors require optimization with deployment of hot boning. Teagasc is seeking to recruit a Meat Technologist with demonstrated experience in Meat Science and meat quality analysis. The successful candidate will have responsibility to contribute to experimental design, organize and participate in trials of innovative beef hot boning approaches and meat quality analysis, of resultant meat for beef carcasses. They will co-ordinate pilot scale and commercial trials for beef hot boning. They will record meat quality data in meat plants and in the laboratory, and contribute to statistical data analysis and reporting.

Meat Technology Ireland (MTI) is a unique project, co-funded by Enterprise Ireland, industry and hosted by Teagasc, in collaboration with IMR, ICBF, UCC, DCU, TUS, MTU and TU Dublin. The role will require an exceptional individual with advanced scientific training, excellent communication skills and good project management experience. A significant portion of their time may be spent on-site in MTI industry member plants and in the partner RPOs institutions. While reporting to the hiring manager, they will work directly with the MTI Research & Innovation Project Manager and participating company leads, to ensure research outputs from the Centre are seamlessly transferred and embedded in the MTI member companies. The candidate will be required to act within the MTI Memorandum of Understanding governing the management of confidential information. The candidate will be required to contribute to identifying opportunities and formulating solutions to facilitate progress for the participant companies and researchers involved.  

• Participate in experimental design
• Contribute to development of protocols for pilot and commercial trials
• Conduct preliminary trials on hot boning and related interventions in a pilot scale abattoir at Teagasc Ashtown
• Conduct a larger scientific trial in an industrial meat processing facility, focused on innovation related to hot boning
• Co-ordination of sample handling and flows between project collaborators including industry partners if relevant
• Ensure high quality work in meat quality analysis including colour, shear force, composition
• Data collation and curation
• Contribute to data analysis and ensure timely preparation of confidential scientific reports for Teagasc and MTI
• Clearly and effectively communicate with research team, industry personnel, and other experts in accordance with MTI protocol e.g. in planning research, planning factory visits, etc.
• Assist the MTI Research & Innovation Project Manager in directing the assigned MTI projects.
• Report and discuss progress updates to the MTI Director and participate where required, on the Research Project Management Group (RPMG).
• Actively participate in the annual MTI business planning process
• 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.
• To fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations, including full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• To carry out 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.

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.