Research Officer – Climate Change Mitigation Research Programme

Inland Fisheries Ireland • Full-time • Dublin, Leinster • 2w ago

Job description

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has an exciting opportunity for an Research Officer Climate Change Mitigation to join the Research and Development division.

The Research officer will be responsible for day to day delivery of IFI’s climate change mitigation research programme (CCMRP). He/she will be responsible for providing high quality scientific data to support management, conservation and protection of fish species and their habitats for climate change amelioration. The broad objective of the programme is to build an evidence based research programme to assess the impact of climate change on the Irish fisheries sector in both freshwater and estuarine environments.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated an excellence in planning and execution of applied scientific studies in field situations. The work will involve both desk and field investigations. The appointee will produce detailed scientific reports and papers on the progress of the project.

ABOUT US

Inland Fisheries Ireland are the environmental agency responsible for protecting, managing and conserving Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.

More information can be found by visiting our website.

VISION, MISSION & VALUES

Vision

To place the inland fisheries resource in the best sustainable position possible for the benefit of future generations.

Mission

To protect, manage and conserve Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources and to maximise their sustainability and natural biodiversity.

Values

We work collaboratively with professionalism
We are open, transparent and accountable
We act with respect and integrity
We are committed to stewardship and sustainability

The Research Officer will be required to:

Main duties will include:

Day to day delivery of the project under the supervision of the senior research officer.
Working with the Senior Research Officer to develop a comprehensive and innovative research programme to examine climate change impacts on fish species and their habitats in Ireland.

Management

Manage, coach, mentor, train and motivate staff
Account management and monitoring to ensure programme is completed within the allocated budget, including reporting on a monthly basis
Tendering and procurement of equipment.
Provision of task schedules for all survey work.
Compile standard operating procedures (SOPs) for any new work activities.

Research

Undertake innovative research to bridge a significant knowledge gap related to Ireland’s fish species and their habitats and climate change impacts in freshwater and Earnestine ecosystems.

Data Collection Responsibilities

Collect data on fish populations (distribution, biology and ecology) and relevant environmental and abiotic data from designated water bodies as part of a long-term monitoring network.
Supervise, prepare, install and maintain new or existing technologies where appropriate to support the programme.
Develop/refine appropriate sampling methods in line with best practice.

Data Processing

Data mining, data processing, collation and aggregation of all datasets and all sample materials to parameterize and validate models and or analyses.
Quality assure and review all datasets for entry to databases/GIS. Maintain raw data and all other records in a clear concise manner and in line with IFI’s database structure.

Data analysis

Supervise and undertake data analysis of all relevant datasets, including using relevant statistical/modelling techniques.
Liaise with GIS team to calculate landscape coviariates and develop vulnerability maps, etc.
Develop models to predict the impacts of climate change associated changes in temperature and other parameters on Irish fish species and their habitats

Reporting

Collate and write reports and scientific publications where necessary to agreed deadlines.
Provision of weekly and monthly updates to the programme manager.

Other Duties

Carry out such duties as may be assigned to the post from time to time by the Senior Research Officer.
Ensure that all elements of the programme are achieved in a timely and efficient manner.
Demonstrable capacity to communicate positively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders

Note: The above attempts to outline in a broad sense the range of duties associated with the Research Officer post. However other duties may arise as the requirements of the project and our stakeholders change over time.

Job requirements

The ideal candidate must, on or before the closing date have the following;

KEY EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:

A primary degree in relevant area (e.g. aquatic ecology, fisheries, fluvial geography)
Circa 5 years’ experience in working at a professional level in relevant area
Full driving licence valid in the state
Excellent inter-personal skills with particular emphasis on motivation and leadership and a proven track record of achieving objectives
Excellent team working skills
Self -directed and able to work independently
Excellent attention to detail with the ability to spot errors and question information received
Proven project management experience in a multi-disciplined team essential (including budgeting, scheduling, risk management, etc.)
Demonstrable experience in report and scientific writing
Demonstrable experience of field survey and data collection in aquatic habitats.
Demonstrable experience in sampling and identification of fish species.
A strong expertise in IT skills is required (GIS Software in addition to MS Office skills).
Demonstrable experience in the use of relevant statistical software (e.g. R package).
Knowledge of climate change and the potential impacts on Ireland’s fish species.
Experience in planning, executing and reporting on original research studies.
The position will require flexibility regarding working hours.

Desirable Selection criteria:

Postgraduate qualification in relevant area
Demonstrable experience and good knowledge of at least one of the following areas: spatial modelling; fish habitat modelling; spatial stream network models; fish habitat suitability models; environmental flows; analysing/modelling time series or spatial data; acoustic telemetry)
Full EB driving licence
Published at least two scientific papers as first author in a relevant scientific field
Experience in using remote technology (e.g. temperature loggers, data buoys, acoustic receivers, etc.).

Inland Fisheries Ireland is an equal opportunities employer

LOCATION

The position is based in IFI’s head office in Citywest, Dublin. However, there may be considerable travelling and residing in locations across Ireland, whilst conducting field work in all weather conditions. Travelling on a daily or weekly basis will be a requirement. Transport will be provided for field duties. The work will require frequent physical exertion while conducting field activities, including walking over rough, uneven terrain, lifting equipment, wading in streams/rivers and working in boats.

REMUNERATION

The salary scale for the position is at the level of Research Officer applies in Inland Fisheries Ireland, it is a 14-point scale:

Point 1 €47,483.07; Point 2 €49,607.72; Point 3 €52,690.22; Point 4 €55,349.17; Point 5 57,575.81; Point 6 €59,751.09; Point 7 €64,710.66; Point 8 €67,060.46; Point 9 € 69,536.49; Point 10 €72,007.53; Point 11 €74,466.07; Point 12 €76,957.10; Point 13(LSI 1) €78,785.70; Point 14(LSI 2) €81,372.97 (IFI Research Officer Grade Pay Scale as of 01.08.2025).

Candidates should note that salary will not be subject to negotiation and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. New entrants to the public sector will start on point 1 subject to Haddington Road Agreement and subsequent Government Agreements.

TENURE

This post is offered on a permanent contract basis.

APPLICATIONS & SELECTION PROCESS

A cover letter and up to date Curriculum Vitae) should be submitted by 5.00 pm Friday on the 13th of February 2026.

Late applications will not be processed.

Short listing will be based on information provided in the Cover Letter and CV.

Canvassing will disqualify.

Inland Fisheries Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.

FORMATION OF PANEL

A panel may be created for up to six months to cover vacancies for roles with similar skill sets.

Inland Fisheries Ireland is an equal opportunities employer