Basic Function

Teagasc is seeking to appoint a Technologist to support EU funded project BIO²PE : Creating Sustainable Solutions for a Circular Future. The successful candidate will be based at the Ashtown campus in Dublin, where facilities include research and analytical laboratories and a food processing pilot plant.

The Technologist will have expertise and experience of extraction processes, development and characterisation of edible coatings and food packaging films, along with their documented experience of scientific and technical outputs. The successful candidate will develop, undertake and deliver on project outputs. They will engage in active ongoing collaboration with the other project partners and will also be expected to work with the wider project team to ensure deliverables are met.  The appointee will also be engaged in the dissemination of the project outcomes to the scientific community, agri-food industry stakeholders, government and other state agencies.

Background

BIO2PE is an EU-funded project developing bio-based and biodegradable polyethylene (PE) and polyester from biomass waste to support Europe's transition to a circular plastics economy. Traditional plastics create long-lasting pollution, and Bio2PEs aims to tackle this by introducing scalable, sustainable alternatives aligned with the European Circular Economy Action Plan. The successful candidate will be based in Teagasc Ashtown and play a critical role in undertaking extraction processes of biopolymers and developing edible coatings and food packaging materials, from underutilised and agri-food waste.

The mission of Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown is to assist the growth and development of the Irish food industry through excellence in research, advice and training. The multi-disciplinary campus at Ashtown, Dublin 15 consists of research and analytical laboratories and food processing pilot plants with an international research community in a collegial environment. Researchers at the Centre collaborate both nationally and internationally with other institutes and universities in publicly funded research and development projects and industry contracts. Of pivotal national importance, the Centre works closely with the food industry to ensure that outputs from the research programme contribute to supporting the sustainability and competitiveness of the food sector.

• To develop, plan and conduct experiments on extraction of biopolymers from sustainable resources for application in food packaging.
• To develop, characterise and assess the techno-functionality of edible coatings and food packaging films.
• To test and validate if developed systems are compliant with regulations as well as support the scaling and implementation/application of the outputs in industry.
• To support the implementation of the project and work plan as detailed to ensure milestones and deliverables are met.
• To collaborate with the national and European partners in the project.
• To carry out administration and dissemination activities related to the project.
• To report findings and prepare scientific and popular press publications.
• 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.