Basic Function:

Teagasc is seeking to recruit a dynamic and suitably qualified researcher to work in the area of Milk Quality. This position will play a key role in ensuring the production of premium quality milk at farm level, for conversion to premium quality dairy products, which will benefit the entire dairy sector, including dairy farmers as food producers, processors and service providers.

The position will be based at Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation centre, Moorepark, which is Ireland’s leading dairy research institute with national responsibility for all aspects of dairy production research.  The successful candidate will work as part of a multidisciplinary team, involving particular engagement with the Teagasc Food Research Centre personnel, commercial milk processing personnel and dairy farmers and other stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Knowledge of literature on three main milk quality aspects, i.e. microbial quality; intra-mammary infection and somatic cell count; and potential residues in milk
• Developing an applied research programme to identify and elucidate the critical control points that influence milk quality inside the farm-gate
• Defining and assessing indicators of milk quality
• Designing, coordinating and implementing appropriate studies to establish conditions and practices of milk production that are necessary to ensure optimum milk quality parameters
• Use of appropriate laboratory tests for different parameters
• Dissemination of knowledge generated to the scientific and farming communities

Background:

Dairying in Ireland is a strong economically and socially sustainable industry. The Irish milk pool is supported by 16,700 dairy farmers and the industry plays a critical role in supporting jobs with almost 6,000 people employed directly in the dairy processing sector and more than 45,000 further associated jobs. Much of the success is related to the fact that more than 90% of Irish dairy output is exported to 120 countries worldwide. This success is a result of an excellent reputation for quality, safety and initiative established over the years. Irish products are seen as a 'local' and 'most trusted,' import source with much of the 50% volume increase (after milk quotas) being absorbed by exports to EU countries. Exports of butter and cheese to the US leverage grass-fed quality credentials and an excellent reputation is being established in Asia. But a constant challenge exists. On the one hand, farm management practices change as herd sizes increase and labour availability decreases as well as automation and availability of new input products, e.g., disinfecting agents, and this impacts on milk quality. While bacterial and SCC levels in milk have represented traditional challenges and have been addressed in the past, additional safety and quality demands are now customer driven. We now have  a highly informed consumer base in terms of food quality, safety and animal welfare reassurance. Milk production on the farm must be underpinned by a 'non-negotiable,' focus on quality. Furthermore, as new product development initiatives are brought to the fore, these products may require more defined quality attributes. Thus, strategies to improve milk quality at farm level must be developed proactively within dairy research and subsequently implemented on-farm. This challenge will be addressed by the new Milk Quality researcher.

Candidates should have a good technical understanding of the dairy food industry as operated by the dairy processors in Ireland as well as a strong knowledge of milk production on farm and the factors affecting its quality. This is necessary to allow the relevant scientific studies to be carried out and provide advice and support to both groups.

• To identify the links between milking and management practices and resulting milk quality on commercial farms.
• Identify milk quality issues related to microbial growth; intramammary infection and somatic cell count; and potential residues in milk and develop mitigating strategies.
• Maintain high standards of data management and organisation as well as coordination with stakeholders to facilitate data sharing and collaboration.
• Interpret research findings and prepare scientific and popular press publications to disseminate research findings to a variety of audiences as appropriate.
• 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.

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