Marine Institute (2 vacancies)

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher - Marine Beacon Project
Reference: FEAS/PDR/BEACON/AUG24
Grade & Contract: Postdoctoral Researcher - Temporary specified purpose contract for a maximum duration of 48 months, funded under the EU Horizon Europe Marine Beacon Project.  
Service Group: Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Services (FEAS)
Location: Marine Institute HQ, Renville, Oranmore, Co. Galway (Blended Working Policy)
Salary: €44,347 - €50,805
Closing Date: Monday 12^th August 2024 @ 12 noon

Principal Tasks:

The main tasks will be linked to the overall project work, and the research in Irish waters in particular. This will include:

• Collate species occurrence and abundance data from multiple data sources including national monitoring programmes and fisheries independent surveys
• Produce spatial and temporal distribution maps of PET elasmobranch species in Irish waters
• Produce robust species-level estimation of bycatch, generating new and improved bycatch rates and total bycatch estimates for Irish fisheries
• Map and identify high risk bycatch areas in Irish waters
• Determine vulnerability of PETS in Irish waters, including for seabirds
• Validate bycatch risk and vulnerability methods using fisher’s knowledge through the use of interviews and participatory workshops
• Maintain an overview of the published and grey literature related to the project.
• Help work on the project where the MI is involved and collaborate on other project work as appropriate. 
• Present the work at local, national and international meetings, including project meetings.
• Publish regular articles in peer reviewed journals.
• Carry out any other duties assigned from time to time, appropriate to the position.
• Other outputs to ensure delivery of the project, appropriate to the grade and role as required from time to time. 

Educational and Professional Requirements:

Essential / Important:

• A relevant PhD in fisheries science, marine science, marine ecological analysis or a related field.
• An understanding of issues related to bycatch in European fisheries.
• Demonstrated experience of working in the arena of fisheries and/or marine ecosystem modelling or similar.
• Demonstrated skills in statistics and data analysis linked to marine ecological/fisheries science, with particular experience of analysing spatial data (ideally implemented in R).
• Experience with spatial data analysis and GIS, or other task appropriate statistical and data handling skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work with and effectively communicate with scientists, the fishing industry and other relevant stakeholders. 
• High level of experience in the use of Microsoft Office applications. 
• High level statistical analysis skills (ideally implemented in R).
• Proven Scientific Report and peer reviewed paper writing skills. 
• Effective organisation and administration skills.
• Good time management and the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• The ability to work unsupervised and as part of a team.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in addition to effective numeracy skills.
• Sea going experience or sufficiently fit to pass an ENG II Medical.
• Full, clean driving license.

Read the full job description here.

Position: Temporary Laboratory Attendant - WFD Support
Reference: MEFS/LABATT/WFD/AUG24
Grade & Contract: Laboratory Attendant – Temporary Specified Purpose Contract for  up to 31st December 2027 (DHLGH funded)
Service Group: Marine Environment and Food Safety Services
Location: Marine Institute HQ, Renville, Oranmore, Co. Galway
Salary: €27,920-€38,281
Closing Date: Wednesday 14^th August 2024 @ 12 noon

Principal Tasks:

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

• Contribute to programme delivering WFD surveillance, operational and investigative monitoring for physico-chemical parameters, priority substances and relevant pollutants in coastal and transitional waters. 
• Provide support for chemical analyses carried out in the laboratory; for example, preparation of clean glassware, equipment, materials and reagents for analysts.
• Assist with the preparation and work-up of samples for analysis at MI and elsewhere. 
• Support sampling and field monitoring by preparing and checking equipment, preparing sampling kits, cleaning vessels etc. as required.
• Carry out duties in support of the implementation of Marine Institute’s ISO17025 quality system, such as equipment calibration, verification, participation on quality groups etc. 
• Maintain stocks of consumables and materials in the laboratories and carry out general laboratory housekeeping and maintenance of sample storage facilities.
• Keep paper and electronic records of laboratory activities as appropriate in line with the Marine Institute’s ISO17025 Quality System protocols.
• Carry out certain laboratory analyses, under direction of laboratory analysts, as may be required and as appropriate to grade.
• Provide support for data management e.g. inputting data to databases.
• Undertake sampling and fieldwork as may be required This may involve participating in surveys on board research vessels from time to time.
• Any other duties relevant to the position and programme as may be required from time to time. 
• Undertake tasks in relation to implementation of the Marine Institute’s Health and Safety statement, policies and procedures.

Educational and Professional Requirements:

• Relevant work experience ideally in an environmental laboratory.
• Very good computer literacy and competence in using including Microsoft Office including
• Word and Excel.
• Good organisation skills and structured approach to daily work activities.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Good communication skills.
• Willingness to work at sea on board research vessels and fit to pass an ENG II/Seafarers medical.
• A full driving license

Read the full 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, H91 R673 before the above mentioned closing date.

All correspondence for the desired post should quote reference one of the following:

• Postdoctoral Researcher – Reference: FEAS/PDR/BEACON/AUG24
• Laboratory Attendant – Reference: MEFS/LABATT/WFD/AUG24