Background:

Ireland’s premium dairy reputation is based on pasture-based milk production. The ‘Grass-Fed Standard’ is an independently established certification, which allows dairy processors to verify that their milk products are sourced from grass-fed cows and is an important marketing too for the Irish dairy industry.

This project will examine how the level of concentrate supplementation affects the fatty acid composition of milk fat and butter quality. Work will measure the physicochemical, functional and organoleptic properties of milk fat and butter. Analytical methods will include gas chromatography, olfactometry, rheology, textural analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, volatile compound analysis and sensory evaluation. The study will provide scientific evidence linking seasonally affected feeding practices to butter quality, to support grass-fed claims and promote the competitiveness of Ireland’s dairy industry.

The position is part of the VistaMilk Research Centre based at Teagasc Moorepark. VistaMilk is Ireland’s centre for digital innovation in sustainable, pasture-based dairy systems and is co-funded by Research Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. VistaMilk offers access to world-class research facilities, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strong industry engagement.

Basic Function:

The successful candidate will provide technical support and guidance for the successful completion of laboratory-based research into the effects of diet on the quality of Irish butter.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• The successful candidate will be responsible for generation of accurate and reliable analytical data.
• Development and implementation of analytical lipidomic methods including development of protocols and evaluation of equipment performance.
• Provision of technical support for all activities relating to the project.
• Responsibility for sample processing, data collection, interpretation, equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Reporting of project outputs to Teagasc supervisor and relevant stakeholders.
• Complete Health & Safety Co-ordinator Duties or such other Health & Safety Duties as may be assigned from time to time.
• 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.

Gender, Diversity and Inclusion

At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives, for the benefit of all in the organisation.

We are committed to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.

We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.