Teagasc is looking to recruit a Research Officer to evaluate the quality of beef enriched with fatty acids considered to be of benefit to human health.
GRADE/SALARY: Research Officer. The current salary range is €37,302 to €66,974 with a
starting salary of €37,302 to €50,790 depending on relevant qualifications and experience. Appointment will be made on a contract basis for an expected duration of up to 18 months

BACKGROUND:
One task within an EU 6th Framework integrated project concerned with advancing beef safety and quality through research and innovation (ProSafeBeef) is to produce beef enriched in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid. The successful candidate will assess the quality of such beef and related beef products with an emphasis on colour and lipid stability under a variety of conditions, instrumentally measured tenderness and the presence of anti-oxidants/micro-nutrients. There will also be scope to develop and test hypotheses related to this subject. The appointee will be expected to assist with sample collection and processing post-mortem, to prepare tissue as appropriate for use by partners in the project and to evaluate data and prepare them for publication and reporting purposes.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Assessing the quality and shelf-life of beef.
• Preparing and assessing the quality of related beef products.
• Reviewing the relevant literature and planning experiments.
• Improvement of existing procedures, as appropriate.
• Liaison with international collaborators within ProSafeBeef project.
• Collation and analysis of data.
• Preparation of reports and 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 PMDS processes.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must have an honours Level 8 degree in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline.
A post-graduate qualification and /or research experience in meat science would be a distinct advantage

ESSENTIAL SKILLS
Strong laboratory background with excellent laboratory skills
Excellent communication, inter-personal and organisational skills
Excellent IT, report writing and data analysis skills

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
Meat/food science in particular the basis of lipid/protein oxidation
General analytical techniques
Experimental design

BEHAVIOUR 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.
Ability to meet deadlines/project milestones
Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches to research
Flexibility

HOW TO APPLY
Application forms can be accessed on our website at www.teagasc.ie/careers.
Completed application forms should be emailed to recruit@teagasc.ie
Please state relevant reference code in all correspondence.
The latest date for receipt of completed application forms is:
5.00pm on Tuesday, 17th November 2009
Teagasc is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will disqualify.