Basic Function

The successful candidate will be central in performing the following functions:

• Lead the operation of spectral analysis of soils and wet chemistry analysis.
• Preliminary analysis of soils and spectral data.
• Manage and maintain the soil spectral library as well as the sample cataloguing, tracking, storage and associated metadata records
• Coordinate and undertake the collection, transport and transfer of soil samples between GSI facilities in Dublin and Teagasc Johnstown Castle (full driving licence required).
• Contribute to and produce high quality technical papers.

Background

Terra Soil is a collaborative research project with Teagasc that combines GSI’s Tellus dataset with the expertise and technologies of both organisations to develop outputs that support policy and practice. The first phase of Terra Soil focused on developing spectral libraries and environmental indicators for the northern half of Ireland using Tellus soil archives and advanced geostatistical and spectroscopic modelling approaches. In the second phase, these spectral libraries and models will be used to predict multiple soil properties, including particle size distribution, soil texture, soil organic carbon and nitrogen, from approximately 20,000 soil samples, providing substantial savings in cost and time compared with conventional laboratory methods.

To support this work, Teagasc seeks to appoint a Technologist Grade 1. The successful candidate will be responsible for acquiring high-quality soil spectra from archived samples, implementing quality assurance procedures, and conducting conventional soil analyses (e.g. particle size distribution, total carbon and soil organic carbon) on a subset of samples for model calibration and validation. The appointee will also coordinate the management and movement of soil archives between facilities and contribute to the preparation of scientific publications and technical reports arising from the project.

The position will be based in the Environment, Soils and Land Use Department at Teagasc Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland’s leading centre for soils and environmental research. The successful candidate will work closely with an established multidisciplinary team of technologists and researchers specialising in spectroscopy, chemometrics, soil health and environmental analysis, within a large department comprising research, technical and administrative staff

• Acquire soil spectra using mid-infrared (MIR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectrometers available on site.
• Coordinate and undertake the collection, transport and transfer of soil samples between GSI facilities in Dublin and Teagasc Johnstown Castle, ensuring appropriate handling, traceability and chain-of-custody procedures are maintained.
• Perform and support laboratory analyses for quality control purposes, including total carbon (TC), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and organic matter (OM).
• Manage large soil archives, including sample cataloguing, tracking, storage and associated metadata records.
• Ensure the quality, integrity and traceability of analytical data generated through spectroscopic and conventional laboratory methods, maintaining accurate records of laboratory workflows, sample metadata and analytical results.
• Implement and maintain high standards of quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) across all laboratory activities.
• Contribute to the operation, maintenance, calibration and performance monitoring of laboratory instrumentation and facilities.
• Support the optimisation of existing analytical methods and contribute to the development and validation of new laboratory and spectroscopic protocols.
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific publications, technical reports and project deliverables arising from the research programme.
• 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.