Join our Team!

ICBF currently employs over 100 people  – and we are always growing. From IT development, infrastructure, geneticists, finance, customer support and so much more, see what opportunity awaits you with ICBF.

We are currently looking for a Geneticist or Bioinformatician to join the ICBF Genetics team based in Ballincollig, Co. Cork. As part of the role, you will have specific responsibilities around the following areas:

  • Running routine genetic and/or genomic evaluations within the area of dairy and beef cattle
  • Investigate and respond to in-house and industry queries
  • Upgrade existing evaluations in terms of re-estimation of parameters, adopt new technologies and evolve evaluation processes
  • Develop novel evaluations or bioinformatic pathways of interest
  • Analyse and dissemination of data
  • Liaise with industry partners and stakeholders
  • Attend and participate in conferences and events
  • Participate in ICBF and industry led events

Requirements:

  • PhD or Postgraduate in genetics, agriculture, applied statistics, bioinformatics or related discipline with a minimum of 3 years’ experience
  • Experience in research and analysing data
  • Ability to work on own initiative and collaboratively with others
  • Aptitude and demonstrated examples of excellent communication (oral, written, presentation) with an ability to enable effective knowledge and technology transfer
  • Good project management, analytical and report writing skills

Desirable:

  • Relevant experience in developing and/or running genetic evaluations
  • Experience in running two-step or single-step genomic evaluations
  • Experience in data handling and setting own agenda
  • Evidence of teamwork and collaboration with relevant partners
  • Experience in MiX99, SQL, Linux, SAS, R, Python, Fortran, FBLUP90, machine learning or other coding languages

If you are interested in the above position, please submit your cover letter and CV via our online application process before 29th March 2024.

Click here to apply

ICBF is an equal opportunities employer

An opportunity has arisen for a Data Scientist to join the ICBF team to play a leading role in working with large datasets from the domains of mid infra-red spectroscopy and other sensor data to derive key insights that will contribute to the role of ICBF in driving genetic gain for the national herd.

The ideal candidate will have experience working with large datasets of animal data, in particular mid infra-red (MIR) spectroscopy data obtained from milk samples and have proven experience in the development of machine learning models for the prediction of phenotypic and other indicators from this data.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis of sensor derived data gathered on the ICBF database from a variety of sources.
  • Use established and novel data analytics techniques to determine the usefulness and accuracy of estimating phenotypic and other relevant traits from raw data.
  • Lead ICBF’s role in the research, validation and implementation of predictions from MIR data in the areas of animal physiology, environmental indicators and dairy processing characteristics.
  • Streamline the processing of MIR data in the ICBF database from a variety of industry and research entities.
  • Collaborate with national and international research partners and working groups.
  • Work with database engineering and software development team in evaluating and implementing machine learning and artificial intelligence models in the ICBF database.
  • Internal collaboration with Genetics Team in the areas of Genetic Evaluations and Bioinformatics.

Required Skills:

  • Post-graduate qualification in one of the following areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science
  • 1 to 2 years’ experience of working with machine learning and statistical analysis including demonstrable capability in one or more of the following areas : R, Python, SAS
  • Experience in working with large datasets including collating, extracting, cleaning and editing of data.
  • Experience of IDE tools including RStudio, Jupyter Notebook, Shiny

Preferable Knowledge:

  • Knowledge and experience of working with data from the domains of animal science, dairy animal physiology, animal health, animal breeding, genetics and dairy processing
  • An understanding of the core principles of quantitative genetics, genomics, applied statistics would be desirable
  • Knowledge and experience of working with mid infra-red spectroscopy data, chemometrics, sensor data

If you are interested in the above position, please submit your cover letter and CV via our online application process before 29th March 2024.

Click here to apply

ICBF is an equal opportunities employer

Meat Technology Ireland (MTI) is an industry-led ‘one-stop shop’ for meat processing research and technology, serving as a hub to co-ordinate all beef and sheep meat processing research needs. ICBF, based in Cork and Kildare is a leading provider of information-based genetics services to the Irish dairy and beef industry and is a key partner, along with Teagasc and the meat processors in MTI.

We are currently looking for a Technician to join our ICBF team based in Tully Research Centre, Kildare Town.  As part of the project, you will have specific responsibilities around the following areas:

  • Collection of Greenhouse gas data on cattle using Greenfeed machines located at the Tully research station and other selected farms.
  • Using a master file of AI sires to routinely identify progeny of interest to the project, based on data from the ICBF database.
  • Communication and support with the relevant herd-owners, including feedlot producers, on the animals of interest which will include their management, weight measures, collection of Greenhouse gas data, feed intake and logistics of transport between herds and/or to the slaughtering facility.
  • Interact with meat processing plants on the slaughtering of the animals of interest and ensuring the relevant data is collected and the appropriate samples taken.
  • Logistics of sample handling and transport of samples.
  • To interpret findings and present, where necessary, to stakeholders.
  • Participate in ICBF, Teagasc and Meat Technology Ireland (MTI) events.
  • To assist ICBF in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and action plan.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science or related discipline
  • Excellent organisation and logistical skills, to ensure smooth collection of data on all animals relevant for the project
  • Ability to work on own initiative and collaboratively with others
  • Aptitude, and where available, demonstrated examples of excellent communication (oral, written, presentation) with an ability to enable effective knowledge and technology transfer
  • Good project management, analytical skills, and report writing

Desirable

  • Experience in data handling
  • Experience in setting own agenda
  • Evidence of teamwork and collaboration with relevant partners

If you are interested in the above position, please submit your cover letter and CV via our online application process before 29th March 2024.

Click here to apply

ICBF is an equal opportunities employer

Do you relish a challenge and wish to be part of a top-class team? Are you an innovative team player with the drive and dedication required to help shape the future of the Irish beef and dairy industry?

If yes, then the HerdPlus Graduate Programme at ICBF may be the right fit for you!

Applications are now open for the 2024 HerdPlus Graduate Programme. Successful candidates will be offered an exciting opportunity to join our world-leading organisation for a twelve-month period commencing in Summer/Autumn 2024.

Our core strength at ICBF is our people, and the HerdPlus Graduate Programme is a key element in expanding our high-calibre talent base. ICBF employs approximately 100 people and has over 25 years of history in Ireland. We currently have over 24,000 dairy and beef farmers subscribed to HerdPlus, our comprehensive breeding information service.

What’s on offer?

We are looking for two graduates to join our hard-working and innovative team in our newly opened, state-of-the-art offices in Ballincollig, Co. Cork. Throughout the programme, you will learn and develop a broad skillset in an open, supportive, and collaborative environment. You will work directly with farmers and industry experts to deliver results that will make a positive impact on our farmers and the wider agricultural sector. You will get the opportunity to work alongside a top-class team on a variety of projects across the beef and dairy sectors. Our graduate programme has recently been short-listed for the Best graduate training Programme in the Education Awards 2024.

Our aim is that you will gain invaluable experience over the twelve months, which will enable you to excel in your career. Based on your performance during the programme, you may be offered a long-term position within the organisation.

Our ideal candidate must:

  • Be self-motivated
  • Be a team player
  • Have excellent communication skills
  • Have a good telephone manner
  • Have good computer skills
  • Hold a 3rd level degree in Ag. Science or equivalent
  • Have a keen interest in cattle breeding

If you are interested in making a difference in the Irish agricultural industry, then we would love for you to apply to this year’s Graduate Programme.

Please email you cover letter and CV to [email protected]

ICBF is an equal opportunities employer.

The closing date is Monday, 29th April 2024.

Salary

Competitive

At ICBF, innovation and cutting-edge technology are central to supporting the growing agri-tech industry. Our Genetics team is responsible for delivering genetic evaluations on over 50 beef traits and 35 dairy traits using one of the largest genomic databases in the world while also being at the forefront of developing and implementing genomic technologies to enhance the genetic improvement and sustainability of the national herd.

As a successful Geneticist or Data Scientist, you will have the opportunity to work on innovative projects in an open, supportive, collaborative environment, using a combination of the latest technologies.

What’s on offer?

We are looking for graduates to join our hard working and innovative team in our newly opened, state of the art offices in Ballincollig, Co. Cork. Throughout the programme, you will learn and develop a broad skillset while working alongside a top-class team on a variety of projects and key initiatives.

Our aim is that you will gain invaluable experience over the durations of the programme, which will enable you to excel in your career, along with the possibility of a long-term position within the organisation based on your performance.

Our ideal candidate

If you are completing your final year in an Animal Breeding, Bioinformatics, Statistics or related third level qualification and if you are a team player who is results driven and self-motivated, we would like to hear from you.

An understanding of the core principles of quantitative genetics, genomics, applied statistics would be desirable. Broad knowledge of agriculture and food industry, and skills in programming languages, would be beneficial but not essential.

Training and support opportunities exist to cross train into the above areas. Graduates receive a competitive benefits package.

If you are interested in the above position, please submit your cover letter and CV via our online application process before 12th April 2024.

Click here to apply

ICBF is an equal opportunities employer

ICBF, through its breeding information service HerdPlus, provides a range of breeding information reports and tools for the Irish Dairy and Beef farmer.

We’ve made great progress over the last few years, with approximately 25,000 dairy and beef farmers joined up to our breeding information service. We endeavor to provide top class customer support to our current members and potential future members.

About ICBF

  • We at ICBF find ourselves in a unique position as we hold the national database for which all information is held on bovine animals in Ireland.
  • Our vision in ICBF is to empower sustainable farming through collaboration and excellence in genetics and big data solutions.
  • ICBF are a growing organisation of approx. 100 employees split across 8 teams that cover everything from genetic evaluations and farmer support to software development and finance.

To further support our HerdPlus service, we currently have a customer support role opening in our new state-of-the-art offices in Ballincollig, Co. Cork. We are open to full time or part time applications.

The main duties will include the following:

  • Provide telephone, email and web support to existing HerdPlus clients.
  • Target and recruit new HerdPlus clients.
  • General administrative duties as assigned.

Our Candidate Requirements:

  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Excellent telephone manner.
  • Good computer skills including Word & Excel.
  • Dependable and flexible, able to work independently as well as part of a team.
  • Ability to handle multiple requests and work in a fast paced environment.
  • Self-motivated.
  • An interest in agriculture is an advantage but not essential. Full training will be provided to get the successful applicant up to speed.

If you are interested in the above position, please submit your CV and cover letter outlining why you think you are suitable for the role by emailing [email protected]

Closing date for applications is Thursday 29th February.

ICBF is an equal opportunities employer.