MEFSS: Zooplankton Monitoring Scientific Technical Officer

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.

Summary of the Role:

The successful candidate will lead the Zooplankton Monitoring Programme which aims to establish a standardised, science-based approach for tracking and analysing zooplankton communities at and around finfish aquaculture sites along the Irish coast. Zooplankton are a critical component of the marine ecosystem, playing a pivotal role in nutrient cycling and food web dynamics. However, certain zooplankton groups, particularly gelatinous zooplankton such as jellyfish, can pose significant threats to finfish aquaculture. Jellyfish blooms have been known to cause mechanical damage to fish gills, stress, and increased mortality in farmed fish, as well as oxygen depletion.

Eligible Candidates must be:

• A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway;
• A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK);
• A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
• A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 or a Stamp 5 visa.

Closing date for Applications

All applications for this post should be received by the Marine Institute in advance of12 noon on Thursday, 15 th of October 2026. Late applications cannot be accepted.

Use of Data - all personal data and the information submitted for this application will be used solely for the purpose of this campaign, after which it will be deleted in line with our General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Policy and data retention schedule. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence and accessed only by those involved directly in the campaign.

The Marine Institute is an organisation that champions Diversity, Inclusion & Equality for all. We encourage and welcome applications from anyone interested in this role.

Please do advise if there are any special accommodations required for the recruitment process. We are here to help you access opportunities w ith us.