Imaging/Digitalisation Scientist

Job title:

Imaging/Digitalisation Scientist

Company

Teagasc

Job description

Job DescriptionDuration:Permanent . A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled; such a panel will remain active for a maximum period of 12 months.Basic Function:Teagasc seeks to appoint a Research Officer who is skilled in imaging, optical sensors and associated machine learning approaches, and who will develop a dynamic research programme to advance the state of the art by underpinning digitalisation adoption in the food processing sector. The successful candidate will conduct research on the potential applications for imaging/spectral imaging and vision systems in food characterization, process monitoring and automation. Ensuring the collection of high quality data, the candidate will also be responsible for coordinating and participating in laboratory and in-factory trials. Securing external collaborative public research funding in the important area of food industry digitalisation will be an essential aspect of the role, as will maintaining contacts with industry and carrying out industry commissioned research and development projects. In addition, they will play a key role in ensuring the scientific excellence of the research programme to the digitalisation field.Background:Teagasc has an expanding research programme in food digitalisation and is seeking to support this through the recruitment of an excellent scientist, experienced in imaging, sensors and state of the art data analytics methods of relevance to critical food industry challenges including sustainability, efficiency and the need for increasing automation. The successful candidate will be required to build competence in this particular area of research, in collaboration with Teagasc colleagues, external collaborators and relevant stakeholders.The mission of Teagasc is to assist the growth and development of the Irish food industry through excellence in research, advice and training. The multi-disciplinary campus at Ashtown, Dublin 15 consists of research and analytical laboratories and food processing pilot plants with an international research community in a collegial environment. Researchers at the Centre collaborate both nationally and internationally with other institutes and universities in publicly funded research and development projects and industry contracts. Of pivotal national importance, the Centre works closely with the food industry to ensure that outputs from the research programme contribute to supporting sustainability and competitiveness of the food sector. Teagasc Ashtown also has an international reputation as a centre of excellence in meat science.The successful candidate will have a leadership role in research, and development relating to the Teagasc Meat Industry Digitalisation Testbed. This newly established research platform includes a range of Industry 4.0 technologies, including sensors, computer vision, additive manufacturing, a state of the art helical CT scanner, an industrial robot cell and a collaborative robotics platform, with a focus on conducting research that will be transformative of the Irish food processing landscape.The researcher will also have access to advanced computational resources and extensive research facilities at Ashtown for comprehensive food analysis and characterization and will be encouraged to build linkages with related research programmes ongoing in other Teagasc centres.Job Objectives

• To build competence in digitalisation technologies with relevance to food characterization, process analytics, Industry 4.0 and automation to transform the Irish food processing sector.
• To design and manage research projects focusing on digitalisation and automation in food processing and to manage the resultant IP, publication of results and technology transfer activities.
• To build a team of post-doctoral researchers and post-graduate students in the area of imaging and digitalisation.
• To actively seek national and international external funding with the objective of supporting your research programme and building critical mass.
• To contribute to and actively engage in strategic planning within the Food Programme.
• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service charter and action plan.
• To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• To 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.
• To carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Department, Head of Programme or Director of Research from time to time.
• 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.

Skills RequirementEssentialDesirableQualifications

• Candidates must have a QQI Honours Level 8 degree in Engineering/Computer Science/Physics or a related discipline.

• Research MSc or PhD in a relevant discipline.

Note: While a PhD is an essential requirement for this post, equivalent research experience may be deemed acceptable solely at the discretion of the Director of Teagasc.

• Experience in use of applied AI, imaging, spectroscopy or other digitalisation technologies to address research questions in automation will be a distinct advantage.

Skills & Knowledge

• Proven understanding of a range of imaging and machine learning techniques, with potential relevance to food digitalisation.
• Documented evidence of machine learning approaches.
• Relevant research experience with imaging or spectroscopy hardware with potential relevance to food processing digitalisation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage research projects.
• Documented evidence of research skills: literature reviewing, experimental design, data management, statistical analysis and experiment implementation.
• Excellent inter-personal skills.
• Demonstrated evidence of communication skills: documented verbal, written, scientific and technical outputs.
• Ability to initiate and lead a research programme.
• Strategic awareness, innovation & change management skills.
• Engaging and consultative leadership skills that demonstrate best practice in people and programme management.
• Computer literate, with proficiency in the use of MS Office, Word, excel, Powerpoint and Outlook.

• Familiarity with a wide range of AI approaches.
• Documented experience of deep learning methods and relevant tools and programming environments, e.g. Python, TensorFlow, SciKit, R.
• Skills in imaging and computer vision.
• Skills in deep learning applied to large data sets.
• Aptitude for multidisciplinary approaches.
• Understanding of technology transfer pathways.
• Track record in attracting research funding.
• Proven record of supervision and mentoring of early career researchers.
• Documented experience in Industry 4.0 approaches.

Behavioural Competencies

• Capacity to successfully develop collaborative links with national and international research organisations and stakeholders.

• Ability to work on own initiative and to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders.
• Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.
• Flexible approach to work with an ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.
• Demonstration of innovation within previous research.
• A results-driven individual with a strong focus on goal-setting, performance delivery and accountability.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach to work with an ability to adapt to changing requirements.
• Ability to set clear standards, to lead by example, with a quality customer service focus.

Other As this role may involve driving vehicles, it is desirable that candidates satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.Note: The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.Note: Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.

Expected salary

€39683 – 75761 per year

Location

Ashtown, Dublin

Job date

Wed, 22 May 2024 00:54:26 GMT

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