Marine Institute (3 vacancies)

Scientific & Technical Officer – Mixed Fisheries

Oranmore, Co. Galway | Temporary Specified Purpose Contract of Employment up to 15/10/2025

Principal Tasks:

The STO will collaborate closely with FEAS stock experts and with the ICES community to achieve the following tasks:

• Data preparation for ICES single species and mixed fisheries assessment working groups; and other data calls.
• Participating in ICES, STECF or other scientific or technical expert groups, including benchmark workshops. Developing mixed fisheries forecasts and advice products.
• Developing visualisations and tools to describe mixed fisheries interactions.
• Write and co-author working documents, scientific reports and peer-reviewed papers using fully reproducible methods where possible.
• Interaction with scientists, managers, and stakeholders to explain results of work carried out.
• Participate in Research Surveys/tagging programmes/field work as required.
• Carry out any other duties assigned from time to time, appropriate to the position, grade, and salary point.

Key Skills:

• A relevant third level degree in ecology, resource management, fisheries science, statistics, mathematics or related field
• Demonstrated experience with statistical programming and query languages (e.g. R/Python and SQL)
• Demonstrated high level data management and data manipulation skills
• Excellent knowledge of statistical, modelling and simulation and methods
• Proven scientific report writing skills and / or published peer-reviewed papers
• A high level of experience in the use of Microsoft Office or similar applications
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in collaborating with others through scientific expert groups or research projects
• Sufficiently fit to pass an ENG II Medical and Personal Survival Training Programme
• Be highly organised and have the ability to work under pressure in a dynamic environment to meet multiple deadlines

Salary: €36,086  - €74,094

Please read a full detailed job description here.

Ornithology Team Lead in Appropriate Assessment Reporting
Oranmore, Co. Galway | Temporary Specified Purpose Contract of Employment up to 31/12/2027

Principal Tasks:

• Using relevant risk analysis frameworks, oversee the preparation of Appropriate Assessment reports of aquaculture (and fisheries) operations in Natura 2000 sites, as requested by DAFM and with a particular emphasis on seabird/shorebird ecology and anthropogenic interactions.
• Development of relevant monitoring programmes as required.
• Carry out site visits in relation to Natura assessments and aquaculture and/or fisheries licencing, as necessary.
• Advise DAFM on the production of Natura AA Conclusion statements.
• Attend meetings with DAFM, as required.
• Prepare and evaluate tenders for research project and/or monitoring interactions between aquaculture activities and Natura features (habitats and species).
• Liaise with contractors in relation to the production of Natura assessments and oversee monitoring programmes, particularly as they relate to Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Special Conservation Interests (SCI). 
• Attend regular MEFSS Team meetings, as required.
• Participate in relevant MI Matrix teams, as required.
• Provide regular activity reports to Section Manager.
• Work in a safe manner, adhering to all required safety policies and practices in place.
• Perform other duties as relevant to the position and grade, as assigned by the Section Manager - Licencing and Policy Advice, Director of MEFSS, the CEO of the Institute, or its senior leadership team.

Key Skills:

• Minimum of an honours Degree in a relevant subject in the area of marine, environmental, biological sciences. 
• A minimum of three years of post-qualification work experience in the area of environmental monitoring, research or advice with particular emphasis on seabird/shorebird ecology.
• Broad knowledge of Environmental Risk Analysis Frameworks.
• Experience of working with relevant environmental data sources and technical documents which may form the basis of risk analysis.
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant National and EU legislation; to include, Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997 (as amended) and associated Regulations; Environmental Impact Directive 2014/15/EU, Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, Birds Directive 79/409/EEC and, European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate science based knowledge effectively to a range of audiences in both written and oral formats.
• Experience in project development, implementation, management and delivery – including financial management with effective governance, procurement, budgeting and reporting.
• A high level of computer literacy including the use of standard MS Office software packages.
• Report Writing Skills to include a demonstrated ability to review technical documents.
• A demonstrated ability to organise and conduct field work including research at sea aboard a variety of boats and research vessels.
• A full clean Driving License.
• Willingness to attend meetings in Ireland and abroad.

Salary: €69,518 - €84,778

Please read a full detailed job description here.

Laboratory Analyst – Water Framework Directive
Oranmore, Co. Galway | Temporary Specified Purpose Contract of Employment up to 31/12/2027

Principal Tasks:

The candidate will be responsible for carrying out a range of duties consistent with the work described above.  These include:

• To carry out chemical analysis of substances such as trace metals in marine samples (biota, sediment and seawater). 
• To assist the Team Leader/sampling team in providing technical support for the WFD sampling and field measurement programme for physicochemical parameters.
• To carry out analytical method development, optimisations and validations for the analysis of environmental contaminants such as trace metals in relevant matrices.
• To develop and implement ISO17025 procedures and best quality practices in the laboratory and field.
• To contribute to all aspects of the Institute’s quality system as required, for example undertaking of internal audits.
• To contribute to assessment of data and assist with preparation of reports as required.
• To assist in the oversight of sample analysis schedules and management of relevant lab consumables.
• To liaise with EPA, and other relevant organisations as appropriate.
• To update monitoring databases and assist with data reporting.
• Any other duties (e.g. field work) as appropriate may be required from time to time.

Key Skills:

• A minimum of a Certificate (third level) in a relevant Science subject or an equivalent qualification.
• Demonstrated relevant post qualification work experience, ideally to include analysis of chemical substances in complex matrices
• A high level of computer literacy including proficiency in the use of standard Microsoft Office software packages.
• Excellent working knowledge of modern analytical instrumentation, such as ICPMS, and atomic fluorescence spectroscopy.
• Proven scientific & technical report writing skills.
• The ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• The ability to manage time effectively and work to deadlines.

Salary: €37,759 - €63,037

Please read a full detailed job description here.

How to Apply:

A C.V. and letter of application, summarising experience and skill set applicable to the position should be emailed to recruitment@marine.ie or posted to Human Resources at the Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Galway before Wednesday the 11^th of October at 12 noon.

All correspondence for this post should quote the below relevant reference:

• Scientific & Technical Officer – Mixed Fisheries
  Reference:  FEAS/STO/MF/SEP2023
• Ornithology Team Lead in Appropriate Assessment Reporting
  Reference:  MEFS/TL/ORN/AA/SEP2023
• Laboratory Analyst – Water Framework Directive
  Reference:  MEFS/LA/WFD/SEP23