Basic Function

The appointed Research Officer will play a pivotal role in the management of the AIMBIO project, contributing significantly to project coordination and fostering collaboration with partners across Ireland. This position requires exceptional project management and writing skills, alongside excellent communication abilities and the capacity to organise, manage, and prioritize a substantial workload under tight deadlines.

This role is ideal for a scientist capable of thriving in a dynamic environment with a strong interest in mission-oriented research that advances scale up of processes, economic and environmental sustainability. The appointee will work closely with the broader Teagasc project team to ensure timely delivery of project objectives and effectively disseminate research outcomes to scientific communities, agri-food industry stakeholders, government bodies, and other state agencies.

Based at the Teagasc National Prepared Consumer Food Centre (NPCFC) in Ashtown, Dublin 15, the Research Officer will collaborate with senior research staff and gain invaluable experience in areas such as project and budgetary management, fostering active collaboration with national and international research communities, enhancing communication and presentation skills, and potentially mentoring students. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful research while developing professionally in a multidisciplinary and innovative environment.

Background

The All Island Marine Biorefienry project is an ambitious, commercially focused interdisciplinary demonstration project leveraging a novel recirculating, peatland-based integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) site at Mount Lucas. The initiative aims to demonstrate scalable value-chain products, including new feeds and foods derived from cultivated duckweed and macroalgae, utilising waste streams effectively.

The AIMBIO project focuses on integrated and sustainable economic development, showcasing the production of commercial products (TRL 6+) through a holistic, multi-actor approach tailored for the All-Island Marine Bioprocesses. This unique project incorporates cutting-edge digital tools for performance monitoring and management, as well as immersive extended-reality training, offering innovative and climate-resilient pathways for sustainable economic growth. By engaging key stakeholders—including industry, primary producers, policymakers, local communities, and academia—the project fosters the development of new products and jobs.

The initiative maximises the potential of Irish Marine Bioresources by converting them and valorised into commercial feed and food products/ingredients. This circular bioeconomy model enables piloting, scaling, and cooperative activities to address existing barriers while unlocking new opportunities. Through its integrated approach, AIMBIO sets a benchmark for advancing sustainable, circular practices and supporting economic transition in the region.

• Implementation and oversight of the project work plan as detailed in the Grant Agreement to meet agreed milestones and deliverables.
• To assist the Principal Investigators on the project in setup of the new Marine Biorefinery based as Teagasc Ashtown
• Design experiments and laboratory/pilot plant management activities associated with the project within the new Marien Bioprocessing facility and other demonstration sites linked to the project
• Transfer data from the Marine Bioprocessing pilot plant and develop comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and scalability Commercial partners.
• To provide specific technical inputs to the research agenda such as literature review, data analysis and preparing reports. Writing and contributing to research reports, policy briefs and other documents.
• To present research results internally and externally at conferences, meetings, including preparing presentations.
• To disseminate research results through web pages, media conferences etc.
• To represent the research project/area at events, meetings and networking.
• To administer financial and budgetary functions, including purchasing and cost controls.
• To assist with the preparation of recruitment advertisements and job particulars for posts within the research area.
• To assist with managing the administrative workloads to support the research project/area
• 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.