Basic Function

Teagasc seeks to recruit a Research Officer to an externally funded position. The successful candidate will have experience in working with fermented foods, conducting colon model experiments, performing bioassays to test the anti-allergenic properties of these foods, and ideally, the analysis of 16S amplicon sequencing data, including generating taxonomic, functional and diversity related outputs using assembly-based and assembly-free approaches.

Background

Biostime Institute Nutrition & Care (BINC) has funded the project entitled ”PLANTIALLERGY (Plant milk fermentates as anti-allergy ingredients).’’ The PLANTIALLERGY project is led by Teagasc through Dr Harsh Mathur in collaboration with University College Cork and APC Microbiome Ireland, with inputs from Prof. Liam O’Mahony and Prof. Paul Cotter.  The Teagasc component of the project, led by Dr Harsh Mathur is focused on the generation of novel plant-based fermented foods and downstream testing of their effects on the faecal microbiota of children afflicted with egg and milk allergies through a series of ex vivo human distal colon model bioassays analysis of microbiome data, generated through 16S amplicon sequencing. The UCC component of PLANTIALLERGY led by Prof. O’Mahony will involve evaluation of faecal water samples from the aforementioned colon model experiments and associated metabolites for their anti-allergenic effects, using cell culture-based bioassays. Teagasc are recruiting a microbiologist/cell biologist to lead this project. The successful candidate will then identify correlations between faecal microbiota profiles and anti-allergenic properties of these novel plant-based fermented foods.

• Generate novel plant-based fermented foods using substrates such as plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs), oat-based substrates, amongst others by using previously characterised microbial strains from the APC and DPC Culture Collection banks.
• Use ex vivo models of the human distal colon to evaluate the effects of these novel plant-based fermented foods on the faecal microbiota of children afflicted with egg and milk allergies.
• Identify changes in community composition, functional potential and diversity through 16S amplicon sequencing from faecal samples used in the above-mentioned colon model assays.
• Isolate faecal water from the colon model experiments to identify associated metabolites for their anti-allergenic effects, using cell culture- based bioassays.
• Perform correlation analysis between the faecal microbiota and metabolite profiles and anti-allergenic effects
• 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.