The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is seeking applications to fill vacancies for the role of veterinary research officer.

The department has two vacancies for the role of veterinary research officer; one in Backweston Agrilabs, Co. Kildare for a microbiology role, and another in Kilkenny regional veterinary laboratory (RVL) for a diagnostic and investigative role.

The recruitment campaign, which closes for applications on May 5, provides for the establishment of two panels; Panel 1 is for the role at Kilkenny and panel 2 is for the Kildare role.

Following an assessment process, candidates who achieve the qualifying standard will be placed on an order of merit, from which one appointment to each role will be made.

The role will be offered to the candidate ranked first for each and, if refused, to the remaining candidates in sequence until each post is filled.

It is expected that only one appointment will be made to each role; however, the order of merit will remain in place for up to two years from the date of the first appointment, and may be used to fill further vacancies that might arise at department laboratories in that period.

Candidates who wish to apply must hold a recognised veterinary degree such that the candidate is registered, or is eligible for registration, as a veterinary practitioner with the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI). Candidates must be registered with the VCI before they are offered an appointment.

Candidates must have excellent team working qualities and communication skills, and reasonable proficiency in spoken and written English.

Candidates also require working experience specific to the roles to be filled, as well as a current valid driving licence or access to transport.

Desirable requirements include a track record of publications in the peer-reviewed veterinary or scientific literature, and post-graduate experience in laboratory work, research, relevant industry, or animal health risk assessment.

Candidates must indicate on their application the panel which they wish to be considered for, or if they wish to be considered for both.

All applicants must ensure that they meet the specific requirements for those panels.

In the event that a candidate achieves a place on more than one panel, the candidate will be offered one or more appointment as vacancies arise until such time as the candidate is appointed or until the various panels expire.

Candidates who refuse an offer of appointment to a specific panel and location will retain their placing on that panel but forfeit their right to be offered an appointment to that location under that panel.