Basic Function:

The successful candidate will be based at the Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath. While most of the research programme will be conducted on-site performing genomics-based microbial profiling, the successful applicant will have some involvement in the collection of biological samples and recording of methane emissions and performance data on beef cattle at Teagasc Grange. In addition, some work will be conducted on dairy cattle herds at Teagasc Moorepark, Co. Cork and sheep flocks at Teagasc Athenry, Co. Galway. Tasks will involve liaising with laboratory staff, conducting genomics-based sample preparation for microbial profiling, metagenomics, host animal data collation, bioinformatics and statistical analysis.  The successful candidate will also be integrally involved in postgraduate student supervision, preparation of progress reports as well as peer reviewed scientific manuscripts. 

 

Background:

The digestion of plant matter consumed by ruminant livestock (cattle, sheep etc) is facilitated by members of a microbial ecosystem residing in the rumen (forestomach). However, one group of rumen microbes, known as methanogens, are responsible for nearly 60% of Irish agricultural related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the production of methane (CH4). As a result, there is an urgent need to tackle the volume of enteric CH4 emitted by Irish ruminant livestock sector. The composition of the rumen microbiome has been identified as a reliable proxy for predicting the methanogenic output ruminant livestock. Through a recent collaboration between Irish and New Zealand partners, a rumen microbial profiling (RMC) technique, aimed at facilitating the selection of low methane emitting animals, was recently identified that can predict CH4 emissions in beef cattle with a high level of accuracy (~0.7).

This Technologist position is part of an Ireland and New Zealand collaborative research project called ‘Methane-Predict’, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the 2022 IE-NZ Joint Research Call. Methane-Predict’ aims to identify and validate low-cost rapid testing of, rumen microbiome data, milk and meat samples to rank individual ruminants for enteric methane emissions across 6 diverse sheep, beef and dairy cattle populations ranging in size from 200 to 500 animals per group. The project will use a holistic multi-omics approach to compare and contrast the composition and functionality of the rumen microbiome of high and low methane emitting cattle (beef and dairy) and sheep across both Ireland and New Zealand.

 

Duties & Responsibilities specific to this project:

• Assist in the management of all aspects of the agreed research programme on these animals including methane measurement in cattle and sheep.

• Develop and conduct metagenomics based laboratory procedures and liaise with laboratory staff in collaborating institutions (i.e. Teagasc, MTU, ICBF, Sheep Ireland and international partners' laboratories) to ensure effective collaborative data analysis.

• Conduct bioinformatics and statistical analysis of genomic data to assess the relationship of the rumen microbiome with ruminant methanogenesis and the fatty acid profile of milk and meat.

• Assist in the collection of biological samples (e.g., rumen contents, milk and meat sample) over time and from a range of animal models and record performance measurements associated with enteric emissions.

• Supervision of postgraduate students and technical staff, protocol review, and collaboration with research staff.

 

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

• To interpret research findings and assist in preparing scientific and popular press publications.

• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.

• To comply with all relevant Teagasc policies and procedures.

• To take up additional duties as they may arise and be assigned by management.

• 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.