Job Information
Organisation/Company: University of Galway
Research Field: Other
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: Bachelor Positions
Application Deadline: 23 Aug 2026 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
Country: Ireland
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a Full-time, fixed-term position as a Research Assistant with the School of Natural Sciences/Ryan Institute at the University of Galway, Ireland.
This position is funded by PeacePlus and is available immediately to the contract end date of 31/06/29.
TRACE seeks to establish a pioneering cross-border innovation hub dedicated to revolutionising the agri-food industry in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). By harnessing cutting-edge technologies and fostering collaborative innovation, TRACE aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the Products of Animal Origin (POAO) supply chain. This effort will improve product quality, reduce the environmental impact of the industry, particularly by lowering its carbon footprint and drive economic growth through the expansion of cross-border trade, creating new opportunities for innovation in the POAO sector. Cross-border trade of POAO between NI and ROI plays a critical role in the economies of both regions. For instance, the agri-food industry contributes approximately £5bn to the NI economy and supports over 113,000 jobs. Around 50% of NI lambs are exported live to the ROI and an additional 25% are sold into the EU post-processing in NI. However, recent challenges such as the pandemic, Brexit, and regulatory changes, including Export Health Certificates, have created bottlenecks that have impacted product quality and delivery times. Furthermore, the carbon footprint associated with POAO products necessitates more sustainable practices in the industry. TRACE will develop and apply advanced technologies to optimise various scenarios within the POAO value chain. The project will deploy a combination of multimodal imaging techniques, such as computer vision and hyperspectral imaging, alongside Internet of Things (IoT) sensors that monitor critical parameters like temperature, humidity, and food quality in real-time. Data collected through these technologies will be securely recorded on a blockchain, ensuring transparency and enhancing trust in cross-border trade. To support and promote adoption, TRACE will establish a Cross Border POAO Innovation Hub, comprising physical offices and contact points, supported by an online platform with a suite of tools to inspire, support, and demonstrate the benefits of innovation. This hub will combine virtual and face to face support for SMEs in the POAO supply chain and wider agri-food sector, assisting them in their innovation initiatives. The online platform will showcase TRACE technologies through a suite of resources, including short form and long form videos, case studies, decision support tools, business cases, best-practice guidance etc. These resources will demonstrate how SMEs can reduce inefficiencies and add value by utilising TRACE technologies. Additionally, a series of targeted workshops will be held to highlight the potential of these technologies and encourage their adoption, empowering businesses to innovate and contribute to the sustainable growth of the agri-food sector. The innovation hub will serve as a focal point for cross-border partnerships, bringing together stakeholders from both NI and ROI, including SMEs, research institutions, and government agencies. It will stimulate the creation of sub-clusters with compatible interests. This collaborative approach will ensure that the project’s outcomes are widely disseminated and that the benefits of innovation are felt across the entire programme area. Sub-clusters will be supported in co-creating solutions for specific scenarios, using TRACE technologies and resources as a foundation for developing additional scenario-specific solutions. By supporting SMEs in integrating TRACE’s advanced technologies into their operations, the hub will help these businesses to innovate, grow, and compete on a global scale. Taking a data driven approaching to achieving lean production, data collected from pilot sites will be analysed by researchers using state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning models. These insights will contribute to broader industry and academic discourse on POAO and agri-food value chains. The findings will be used to create actionable recommendations for the industry and decision-makers, aimed at preventing spoilage, reducing waste, and ensuring the highest standards of product quality and safety. Dissemination will occur through academic papers, whitepapers for policymakers, and directly to the industry via the project consortium’s industry membership organisations and the online platform. Additionally, gaps and opportunities for new solutions that align with market demands and regulatory standards will be identified from the data. TRACE will drive sustainable growth and resilience in the POAO sector, delivering benefits to both producers and consumers. By focusing on technological innovation, fostering regional partnerships, and supporting SMEs, the project will enhance innovation capabilities and equip SMEs with the skills needed to tackle future challenges. In doing so, TRACE aligns with and complements the goals of key initiatives such as the Shared Island Fund, the Shared Prosperity Fund, and City Deals. https://www.ulster.ac.uk/trace
Salary: Research Assistant salary scale €34,129- €44,311 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on 23rd August 2026. It will not be possible to consider applications received after the closing date.
Where to apply
Website: https://my.corehr.com/pls/coreportal_nuigp/erq_search_package.search_form?p_com…
Requirements
Honours degree (Level 8 - minimum 2.1) in Aquaculture, Marine Science, or a related discipline
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: University of Galway
Country: Europe
Contact
State/Province: Ireland
City: Galway
Website: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/
Street: University Road
Postal Code: H91 TK33
E-Mail: alex.wan@universityofgalway.ie
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