Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full time 18 month position as a Research Assistant to work on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) – funded One Health VTEC project. The VTEC One Health project is led by Teagasc and includes partners at UCD, HSE, HPSC, FSAI and NUI Galway. This position is available from December 1^st 2018 to June 1^st2020.

 Job Description:

The successful candidate will be based at the DAFM laboratories, Backweston, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. The successful candidate will be responsible for completion of all technical work relating to the examination of fresh produce, raw milk and milk filters for the presence of VTEC.

Duties:

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Examination of fresh produce, raw milk and milk filters for the presence of VTEC using molecular methods.
• Isolation of VTEC by culture from positive samples.
• Maintenance and characterisation of VTEC isolated.
• Collection, coding and storage of isolates for further analyses.
• Contributing to dissemination of research findings,
• Reporting findings to the project team and the funding agency
• Contribution to ongoing research of the Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology group, NUI Galway.

Qualifications/Skills required:

• B.Sc. in Microbiology or relevant biological science.
• Experience in isolation, identification and maintenance of bacteria.
• Experience in molecular techniques.
• Evidence of dissemination of research findings

Essential Requirements:

• B.Sc. in Microbiology or relevant biological science.
• Experience in isolation, identification and maintenance of bacteria.
• Experience in molecular techniques.

Desirable Requirements:

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant area
• A minimum of 6 months previous research experience
• Prior experience of working with VTEC
• Prior experience of food related research
• Evidence of dissemination of research findings
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Employment permit restrictions apply for this category of post

Salary: €23,079 to €34,269 per annum (pro-rata – for part time or shorter contracts)

Start date: Position is available from December 1st 2018.