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Technical manager to curate national milk database and transfer learnings to adaptive cheese processes

Location: Teagasc Food Research Centre Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork
Research
Salary: Research Officer with a Salary Scale of €41,580 to €78,830
Closing Date: 18/07/2025 12:00 PM
Funded Full Time

Job Description

Duration:

Temporary externally funded non Grant-in-Aid contract post, the indicative duration of which is 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.

Interviews for this position will take place on the 29th July 2025

Basic Function

The appointee will curate a sample bank and database underpinning the development of a national milk database. This is based on the chemical and physicochemical characterization of seasonally changing milk samples sourced from industrial partner sites to understand the impact of seasonally changes in milk composition on processability characteristics.

In addition, the technical manager will facilitate pilot scale cheese trials focused on development and evaluation of adaptive processes to cater for seasonal changes to milk. This will involve co-ordination of trial dates, raw materials, trial planning, active involvement with trial activities and subsequent sample (milk, whey, cheese) aliquot preparation, stabilization, storage and analysis. The appointee will also be involved in data collation and management, preparation of data reports and uploading of data to appropriate databases and provision to product specialists.

In addition, the appointee will also be required to maintain a high level of customer service and to be responsible for managing and ordering consumables required by the laboratories as well as ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations

Background

The Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark is internationally renowned for its research programme including that focused on dairy-based products including milk, cheese, powders, butter, etc. and works closely with industry and academic partners. Due to its key role as a collaborating partner in the Dairy Processing Technology Centre, it is necessary to appoint a technical manager to curate a sample bank and database underpinning the development of a national milk database and to facilitate development and transfer of seasonally associated adaptive cheese manufacture processes at pilot and industrial scale. Based at the Teagasc Food Research Centre Moorepark, the appointee will have expertise in laboratory based analytical methodologies, sample handling and data analysis and a knowledge of cheese manufacture at pilot or industrial scale.

The Dairy Processing Technology Centre is an industry–academic collaborative research centre with a research agenda driven by the long-term growth opportunities for the dairy sector. As a centre of excellence for dairy processing research and innovation, DPTC provides an innovation ecosystem supporting the dairy industry in the production of high value, quality dairy products efficiently and cost-effectively within a framework of sustainability laid down by environmental targets such as the EU 2030 Climate and Energy Policy Framework, the UN Sustainability Goals and the Green New Deal.

The activities of the DPTC Programme are considered as a ‘Total Process Chain Approach to Excellence in Dairy Processing’ and consists of two interconnected, competency based ‘Research Focus Areas’: RFA 1 “Milk Composition Driven Adaptive Processing” and RFA 2 Sustainable Milk Processing. The “Milk Composition Driven Adaptive processing research area” is focused on establishing an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the seasonal variation of milk composition and its effect on its processability and functionality.

Job Objectives

To curate a sample bank and associated database underpinning the development of a national milk database.
To coordinate chemical and physicochemical characterization of a range of milk, whey and cheese samples.
To facilitate pilot scale cheese trials focused on development and evaluation of adaptive processes to cater for seasonal changes to milk.
To co-ordinate trial dates, procurement of raw materials, co-ordinate trial planning, have active involvement in trial activities and manage subsequent samples (milk, whey, cheese) for storage and analysis.
To manage data collation, preparation of data reports, uploading of data to appropriate databases and provision of data to product specialists.
To facilitate development and transfer of seasonally associated adaptive cheese manufacture processes at pilot and industrial scale.
To undertake ordering of consumables required by the laboratories as well as ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations
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.

Skills Requirement

	Essential	Desirable
Qualifications	An honours Level 8 degree, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in Science or a related discipline.	A postgraduate degree and/or research experience in dairy/food science or cheese science would be a distinct advantage
Skills	Excellent laboratory skills, organization skills, report writing and data analysis. Excellent practical chemistry and technology laboratory skills. Excellent processing and pilot plant skills Excellent organizational skills. Data handling and computer skills. Excellent time management skills with the ability to work to tight deadlines in an efficient manner. Ability to problem solve. Good flexibility with a willingness to adapt to new methods/techniques. People and resource management skills. Excellent customer service skills.	Proven record of scientific communications. Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches. Experience in working with Dairy products and particularly milk and cheese Experience in working within an analytical laboratory Laboratory skills necessary to augment technical support teams assigned to trouble-shooting and other development duties.
Knowledge	Knowledge of analytical science with an understanding of dairy science and technology. Laboratory management skills. Knowledge of working with dairy products particularly milk and cheese Knowledge of wet chemistry techniques Knowledge of good laboratory practices. Knowledge of Health and Safety requirements	An understanding of dairy food and/or cheese manufacture and the interpretation of analytical information.
Behavioural Competencies	Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders. Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme. Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer. Flexible with an ability to prioritise tasks effectively. A results-driven individual with a strong focus on goal-setting, performance delivery and accountability. Ability to work independently, and meet self-imposed milestones and deliverables. A proactive, solutions-focused approach to work with an ability to adapt to changing requirements and shifting priorities. Ability to set clear standards, to lead by example, with a quality customer service focus.
Other	As this role will involved driving vehicles, 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.

Attachment(s):

ResearchOfficer_InformationBooklet.pdf

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