Basic Function:

Teagasc seeks to recruit a Research Officer to a European funded position. The successful candidate will have experience in working with fermented foods, conducting colon model experiments, performing bioassays to test gut microbiome modulating potential of these fermented 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:

FutureFoodS  has funded the project entitled ”FERMGUT.’’ The FERMGUT project is led by Teagasc through Dr Harsh Mathur in collaboration with University College Cork and APC Microbiome Ireland, with inputs from Dr Susan Joyce and Prof. Paul Cotter.  The Teagasc component of the project, led by Dr Harsh Mathur is focused on the generation of novel plant-based as well as dairy-based fermented foods and downstream testing of their effects on the faecal microbiota of the healthy population through a series of ex vivo human distal colon model bioassays analysis of microbiome data, generated through 16S amplicon sequencing. The UCC component of FERMGUT led by Dr Joyce will involve evaluation of metabolite profiles of these novel fermented foods as well as determining the faecal metabolite profiles from faecal water samples from the aforementioned colon model experiments. Correlation studies will be conducted by combining the faecal microbiota and faecal metabolomics data to identify and shortlist novel fermented foods with gut health benefits and collaborating with laboratories in INRAE and IBD-Biotech in France and UAM in Spain for testing the shortlisted fermented foods in murine models and cell culture assays respectively. Teagasc are recruiting a microbiologist/molecular biologist to lead this project and to work with a PhD student on this project as well as the collaborative laboratories in France and Spain.  

• Generate novel plant-based and dairy-based fermented foods using substrates such as plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs), oat-based substrates, skim milk powder, 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 and dairy-based fermented foods on the faecal microbiota and faecal metabolome of healthy adults.
• 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 gut health promoting properties.
• 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.