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NIRS Technologist - VistaMilk

Location: Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork. P61 C997.
Technologist
Salary: Technologist Grade 1 with a Salary Scale of €41,996 to €79,618
Closing Date: 02/03/2026 12:00 PM
Funded Full Time

Job Description

Duration:

Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 35.5 months, subject to contract. A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled; such a panel will remain active for a maximum period of 12 months.

Basic Function:

The NIRS Technologist will be based at Teagasc Moorepark and will work within the Pasture Theme of the VistaMilk Research Ireland Research Centre (www.vistamilk.ie). The primary objective of this role is to develop, validate and maintain NIRS calibration models, underpinned by high-quality wet chemistry reference data and to ensure robust quality control of NIRS outputs across a growing analytical platform. The successful candidate will manage and further develop the expanding NIRS infrastructure, including calibration model development, instrument performance monitoring, method optimisation and implementation of quality assurance and quality control procedures. The appointee will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of researchers across VistaMilk and industry partners to ensure NIRS methodologies are scientifically robust, harmonised and fit for research and applied use.

The role involves organising and supporting the analysis of primarily feed samples generated from ongoing and future research programmes. This includes coordination of wet chemistry analyses to generate gold-standard reference datasets for calibration development and validation. The NIRS Technologist will have responsibility for the day-to-day operation of analytical instrumentation, including maintenance and upkeep, contribution to and supervision of laboratory workflows and management of associated digital laboratory databases. The appointee will ensure compliance with health and safety regulations through provision of laboratory inductions and training, completion of risk assessments and audits and oversight of safe working practices. The role also includes supervision and training of undergraduate and postgraduate students and other laboratory users.

Background:

The VistaMilk Research Ireland research centre (www.vistamilk.ie), which has been operating out of Teagasc Moorepark since 2018, has entered its second 6-year phase (2024-2030). The VistaMilk Research Ireland Centre aims to be an agent of growth for the Irish dairy industry by being a world leader in fundamental and translational research for precision pasture-based dairying. VistaMilk represents a unique collaboration between 13 Agri-Food and ICT research institutes and leading Irish/multinational food and ICT companies. The Centre is hosted by Teagasc, the national agency with responsibility for agriculture and food research. The Centre consists of one Director and 11 co-applicants (applicant group; 42% female) with skillsets in agriculture (soil, pasture breeding and management, animal breeding and management), food (processing and food for health), sensing, communications, social and behavioural sciences and analytics. The applicant group are supported by 64 funded investigators (FIs; 42% female) from 13 institutes and industry collaborators; opportunities will be created to expand this academic and industry team through the 6-year term.

Teagasc Moorepark are seeking to appoint a highly qualified and enthusiastic ‘NIRS Technologist’. The successful candidate will develop, validate and maintain near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibration models, underpinned by high-quality wet chemistry reference data in collaboration with other stakeholders to ensure delivery of the project objectives.

Job Objectives

To carry out NIRS and wet chemistry sample analyses and to assist in the establishment and optimisation of laboratory analytical methods.
To contribute to the management of research samples, laboratory equipment and consumables, including NIRS instruments and associated analytical infrastructure.
To ensure that NIRS instruments and laboratory facilities are operating at the highest level of efficiency, performance and reliability.
To undertake quality control and quality assurance of NIRS and wet chemistry analyses and to ensure high-quality data management and traceability.
To carry out electronic data entry, sample tracking and result recording for research samples using the Teagasc LIMS system.
To maintain and curate a laboratory online feed and biological chemistry database in support of NIRS calibration development.
To maintain inventory and safe management of the chemical store in compliance with relevant safety regulations.
To assist in the supervision and training of postgraduate and undergraduate students and other laboratory users operating in the laboratory.
To contribute positively to teamwork and a strong team-spirit within the laboratory and wider research group.
To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
To actively participate in annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
To fully co-operate with provisions for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of staff and non-Teagasc personnel and to comply fully with responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
To carry out other duties appropriate to the role 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.

Skills Requirement

	Essential	Desirable
Qualifications	A Level 8 degree (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in analytical science, agricultural science, bioscience, or a related discipline	A postgraduate degree in chemistry or analytical chemistry would be a distinct advantage Research experience in feed chemistry or animal nutrition
Skills	Experience of working with analytical laboratory equipment Excellent laboratory skills, organization skills, report writing and data analysis Database development skills Excellent time management skills with the ability to work to tight deadlines in an efficient manner Experience of working in a methodical manner Ability to work both autonomously and in a constructive environment Ability to problem solve Good flexibility with a willingness to adapt to new methods/techniques Good oral & written communication skills People and resource management skills	Experience in developing standard operating procedures and protocols Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) Statistical analysis, method validation and experimental design
Knowledge	Knowledge of analysis quality assurance and data quality control Knowledge of handling laboratory samples Knowledge of H&S protocols Knowledge of animal nutrition wet chemistry analysis methods	Knowledge of the Irish dairy industry
Behavioural Competencies	A structured approach to work, with an ability to plan and prioritise by importance and urgency Ability to work on own initiative and collaboratively with others Ability to critically analyse, problem-solve and demonstrate a high level of attention to detail A positive, proactive solutions-focused approach to work Ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences Flexible with an ability to adapt to changing requirements/priorities Strives for high quality work and demonstrates commitment to the programme Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders. Demonstrates a positive approach to new challenges and dissemination of new tasks Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethos
Other	Candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.
Eligibility	This is an open public competition. Should a current serving Teagasc staff member be successful in their application through open public competition for this post, their current contract of employment with Teagasc will come to an end on taking up this post.

Note: The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.

Note: Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.

Attachment(s) :

Technologist_InformationBooklet.pdf

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