Basic Function

Teagasc seeks to recruit a Research Officer to an industry position. The successful candidate will have experience in working with antimicrobials, bacteriocins, conducting minimum inhibitory concentration assays, synergy assays, flow cytometry and microscopy. The successful candidate should be highly motivated with a strong work ethic and should be able to work to strict deadlines with regular reporting of results to the industry partners. Overall, the candidate should have a strong background in microbiology. The successful candidate should be able to work equally proficiently either independently or as part of a team.

Background

An Industry Partner has funded the project entitled ”SYNERGY’’ which relates to the evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of a variety of natural and chemical preservatives on several spoilage microorganisms. The project is led by Teagasc through Dr Harsh Mathur in collaboration with Prof. Paul Cotter. SYNERGY is focused on the testing of several of the aforementioned preservatives and antimicrobials used independently and in combination with each other to identify the most efficacious synergistic antimicrobial combinations of retard spoilage of certain foods and beverages. This work will involve a wide range of microbiology techniques including viable plate counts, growth curves, broth-based minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays, fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) assays to evaluate synergistic effects, flow cytometry to assess the impact on microbial cell membranes and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for in-depth analysis of cell structure.  Teagasc are recruiting a highly motivated microbiologist biologist to lead this industry-funded project

• Test a variety of chemical preservatives such as sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate along with several natural antimicrobials and bacteriocins for their efficacy in inhibiting or retarding the growth of spoilage microorganisms.
• Evaluate each of these preservatives and antimicrobials independently and in combination to evaluate their synergistic potential as efficacious antimicrobials.
• Utilise a wide variety of microbiology techniques to elucidate the mode of action of these synergistic combinations to assess their impacts on cell membrane integrity and cell membrane potential using flow cytometry as the primary technique to do so.
• Utilise state of the art Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques in Teagasc to gain insights into the effects of the aforementioned antimicrobials on the cell structure of spoilage microbes.
• Overall, identify and shortlist the most promising antimicrobial combinations by gaining comprehensive insights into their mechanisms of action for further development of the most promising combinations.
• 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.
• Fully co-operate 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. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• Any 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.