Laboratory Analyst Chemistry

About the Department

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is a multi-functional organisation which provides a wide range of services both directly and through specialist state agencies operating under its aegis. The Department has a wide and diverse customer base which includes farmers, consumers, food processers and other commercial operators, those involved in sea fishing, forestry, bio-energy, research as well as diverse EU institutions, other State Bodies and special interest groups. The Mission of the Department is to serve ‘the government and people of Ireland by leading, developing and regulating the agri-food sector, protecting public health and optimising social, economic and environmental benefits.’

About the role

DAFM has an embedded laboratory service comprising a central laboratory complex at Backweston, together with a network of regional laboratories in 5 locations (Cork, Limerick, Athlone, Kilkenny and Sligo) and a research farm facility. DAFM laboratories have an overall staff compliment of approximately 300 persons engaged in work relating to animal health, food safety and plant and environmental sciences. The laboratories are currently undergoing a significant transformation underpinned by the vision statement, “Scientific Excellence – Safeguarding and Enhancing Public, Animal and Plant Health and our Environment”.

The role is for Laboratory Analyst – Chemistry. Successful candidates will be assigned to work in food safety and food authenticity, and animal health. Depending on where they are posted, they will be engaged in the detection of unauthorised substances, contaminants and residues of pesticides and veterinary medicines in a range of different foods and other matrices and compositional analysis of dairy products.

Principal Tasks:

(i) Performance of laboratory analysis, usually under the supervision of a Senior Laboratory Analyst.

(ii) Performance of laboratory techniques to the ISO17025 standard.

(iii) Responsibility for samples received in the laboratory. Recording sample information in a LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System).

(iv) Support maintenance of laboratory accreditation to the ISO17025 standard and assist in method validation and project work.

For a brief description of the tests carried out by analysts in the various laboratories (please see Appendix B at the end of this document).

Working Environment:

The Laboratories are modern facilities compliant with all health and safety regulations. The laboratories at Backweston are state-of-the-art facilities providing a working environment to match the highest standards in Europe.

Special Equipment and facilities available in connection with the work:

A wide range of laboratory instrumentation and facilities are provided to perform the range of testing necessary. For chemistry laboratories, the work is heavily dependent on chromatographic techniques using various detection systems. Examples of equipment used for chemical and residue analysis includes GC, IC (Ion Chromatography) and LC-MS (including triple quadruple and high-resolution accurate mass systems), ICP-MS, ICP-OES, AAS, FTIR, HPLC various detection systems e.g. DAD, fluorescence), GC (FID) and biochemistry analysers.

Training:

All Laboratories provide training on the job relevant to the duties of the Laboratory Analyst. Participation in additional training courses is encouraged. Laboratory Analysts are encouraged to seek higher qualifications where relevant courses are available in 3rd level institutes.

Competencies

Applicants should have all the attributes required of a Laboratory Analyst – Chemistry and they must demonstrate, by reference to specific examples from their career to-date, that they possess or have the capacity to acquire the qualities, skills and knowledge required for the role of Laboratory Analyst as identified in the following competency framework.

1. Specialist Laboratory Knowledge and Expertise

2. Teamwork

3. Analysis and Decision Making

4. Interpersonal and Communication Skills

5. Commitment and Delivery of Results

Location

The Department currently has two vacancies for the role of Laboratory Analyst Chemistry located at Backweston Campus, Celbridge, Co. Kildare

Further vacancies may arise over the lifetime of the Order of Merit.

It is planned to interview potential candidates to fill these vacancies. Following an assessment process, candidates who achieve the qualifying standard will be placed on an Order of Merit and assigned to fill vacancies as they arise. The Order of Merit remains in force for a period of up to two years from the date of the first appointment or until exhausted.

Temporary Vacancies

If temporary vacancies for this post arise during the lifetime of the Order of Merit, the Department reserves the right to offer such temporary posts based on the results of this competition. Candidates who accept such a temporary post retain their placing on the Order of Merit and the acceptance of such a temporary appointment in no way interferes with the normal process of appointing candidates to permanent posts that may arise.

Who we are looking for

Essential Requirements - Educational Qualifications:

On or before 10th December 2026, candidates must hold a qualification of at least an ordinary level degree (level 7 consisting of 180 credits on the National Framework of Qualifications) in one of the following:

• Chemistry.
• Analytical Chemistry.
• Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science.
• Science with chemistry/analytical chemistry being a major component of the qualification.

Or

• Hold a qualification that would be acceptable to the Department as being at least equivalent.

Essential Requirements – Other:

• A good understanding of analytical chemistry techniques particularly chromatography.
• Capacity for analytical thinking and interpretation.
• Knowledge/Experience of a broad range of techniques and instrumentation.
• An ability to work on one’s own initiative.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• The necessary computer skills to meet modern laboratory requirements.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.

Important to Note: Candidates must have their qualification (as detailed above) on or before the 10 December 2026. Candidates must provide evidence of their Official Award from the associated Awarding Body before any formal offer can be made.

For the purposes of this competition, a candidate is deemed as holding a qualification when in receipt of their Official Award from the associated Awarding Body. Academic results transcripts do not constitute an Official Award. DAFM does reserve the right to seek submission of full academic transcripts should any queries arise relating to educational requirements.

In addition to the above, candidates must also be able to demonstrate the Key Competencies identified for effective performance in the role, as detail above.

How to Apply

Only Online Applications can be made and should be submitted via the Apply Now button below.

Note: As outlined above, if you do not meet the Essential Requirements listed, your application will receive no further consideration.

Closing Date: Your application must be submitted no later than 12.00 noon on 10th December 2026.

All queries relating to this recruitment campaign should be directed to dafm@cpl.ie with the subject heading “Laboratory Analyst Chemistry”

Application acknowledgements:

All applications received will be acknowledged within 5 working days of the competition closing date. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within the 5 working days or for any queries relating to this competition, please contact by email: dafm@cpl.ie

Applications will not be accepted after the closing date.