Marine Institute Job Description
Position / Scientific & Technical Officer (STO) Fish Health Unit – SR04-11-2014Contract / Temporary specified purpose contract up to 31st December 2016.
Service Group / Marine Environment & Food Safety
Location / Rinville, Oranmore, Galway
Brief description of the Marine Institute:
The Marine Institute is a non commercial semi-state body, which was formally established by statute (Marine Institute Act, 1991) in October 1992.
Under the Act, the Marine Institute was given the responsibility:
“to undertake, to co-ordinate, to promote and to assist in marine research and development and to provide such services related to marine research and development, that in the opinion of the Institute will promote economic development and create employment and protect the marine environment ”.
The Marine Institute is the national agency responsible for marine research, technology, development and innovation (RTDI). The Marine Institute seeks to assess and realise the economic potential of Ireland’s 220 million acre marine resource; promote the sustainable development of marine industry through strategic funding programmes and scientific services; and safeguard the marine environment through research and environmental monitoring. The Institute works in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) and a network of other Government Departments, semi-state agencies, national and international marine partners.
The vision of the Marine Institute is
“ a thriving maritime economy in harmony with the ecosystem and supported by the delivery of excellence in our services “
Description of appropriate Service Group:
Marine Environment & Food Safety Services (MEFS) provides essential scientific advice and a range of marine environmental monitoring services.The service group carries out activities in the following areas:
- Integrated advice
- Fish Health Reference Laboratories
- Fish Health Competent Authority
- Food Safety & Environmental Monitoring
- Benthic Monitoring
- Marine Biotechnology
- Aquaculture & Rearing
The Fish Health Unit (FHU) is the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for finfish, molluscan and crustacean diseases. The NRL is responsible for developing, validating and implementing appropriate methods for the testing of aquatic diseases specified in Council Directive 2006/88/EC which lays down the animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof. The FHUhas a modern, well equipped laboratory which facilitates its national and international commitments in relation to the diagnosis and control of aquatic diseases. There are five main sections within the unit: parasitology, histology, bacteriology, virology and molecular diagnostics. In addition to this, the FHU also provides a diagnostic service for the aquaculture industry, the wild fish sector, Inland Fisheries Ireland and veterinarians, in relation to diseases currently not listed under EU Directives. The FHU laboratory is also accredited to ISO 17025 standards for a number of test methods, including those listed under EU Directives.
Summary of the Role:
The successful candidate will work within the Fish Health Unit and be responsible for testing diagnostic samples submitted privately by a commercial company and for managing relevant records to ensure traceability.
The diagnostic services required include:
- virus isolation by cell culture
- bacteriological screening
- molecular diagnostics using both conventional and real-time PCR assays
As the FHU laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 standards, the candidate will work within the current MEFS quality system. In addition to other duties, the candidate will hold responsibilities in relation to the running of the Molecular Biology Unit, ensuring that all consumables are logged, equipment maintained and full traceability of samples tested is maintained in order to comply with the MEFS quality system.
The Competent Authority Office of the FHU works within the ISO 9001 management system and the candidate would be expected to input into that system to ensure that all relevant paperwork is retained within a recognized quality framework.
Background to Requirement:
The Marine Institute has been contracted to perform ongoing disease monitoring and surveillance on samples submitted privately by an Aquaculture Production Business (APB). This includes a full diagnostic sample of 300 broodstock on an annual basis according to guidelines set out by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE); annual screening of broodstock for infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) virus, and ongoing screening of salmon during the production cycle for diseases of importance, such as amoebic gill disease (AGD) and pancreas disease (PD).
Principal Tasks:
Manage the twice yearly private screening program for broodstock, to OIE standards.
Manage the annual screening of broodstock from the APB to meet customer requirements for infectious pancreatic necrosis virus.
Perform molecular diagnostic analyses of samples submitted to the laboratory from the APB.
Assist with the development of methods for molecular testing of aquatic diseases.
Carry out all duties associated with maintaining INAB accreditation within the Molecular Biology Unit.
Prepare and assist with preparation of reports and scientific papers as required.
Advise Technical Manager /FHU Team Leader of problems with laboratory tests or equipment.
Ensure that procedures are followed in accordance with the health and safety statement.
Ensure that relevant documents and records are managed in line with the ISO 9001 quality management system.
Other duties that may arise from time-to-time.
Reporting Structure:
The successful candidate will report to the FHU Finfish and Shellfish Team Leaders for technical duties and to the FHU Section Manager for ISO related duties.
Contacts:
FHU team members as well as other members of the broader MEFS team.The candidate will also liaise regularly with the Molecular Biology contractor within the FHU and with Technical/ Health Managers at the APB.
Education, Professional or Technical Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, Aptitudes,
Experience, and Training
Essential:
Degree in a biological science or equivalent subject area.
Hands on laboratory experience in the area of molecular biology.
Knowledge of virological, bacteriological and histological techniques.
A proven ability to prepare reports and write scientific papers.
Good working knowledge of the requirements for working within a quality management system i.e. ISO 17025 and ISO 9001.
Familiarity with word processing, spreadsheet and database software experience.
Desirable:
Knowledge of molecular methods such as real-time PCR, conventional PCR, cloning and sequencing, in situ hybridization.
Basic bioinformatic skills.
A working knowledge of the Irish aquaculture industry.
A full driving license.
Special personal attributes required for the position:
An ability to work in an organized manner and progress work independently.
An ability to work well under pressure and to ensure customer satisfaction.
The ability to work unsupervised and to work well within a team.
Good interpersonal skills.
The ability to effectively communicate results in oral, written and audiovisual formats.
An ability to work to deadlines, identify priorities and manage time effectively.
Salary:
Remuneration is in accordance with the Public Sector, Department of Finance approved Salary Scale for Scientific & Technical Officers, with a starting salary of €29,085 per annum pro-rated with time worked. You will become a member of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.
Annual Leave:
Annual leave entitlement for a Scientific & Technical Officer is 25 working days per annum pro-rated to reflect time worked. Annual leave entitlements are exclusive of Public Holidays. All leave must be approved in advance in line with Marine Institute leave policies, by your manager or their authorised representative.
Duration of Contract:
The contract will be for the period up to December 31st 2016 (subject to continued funding) with a six month probation period.
How to Apply:
A C.V. and letter of application, summarising experience and skill set applicable to the position should be emailed to Human Resources at the Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Galway. All correspondence for this post should quote reference FHU-MHI Post 2015.
Closing date for Applications:
All applications for this post should be received by the Marine Institute in advance of 17:00 on 27/01/2015. Please note that late applications will not be accepted
The Marine Institute is an equal opportunities employer
HR/JD/FHU/MHI STO/- SR04-11-2014 –January 201514-11-2013