Research Officer for Salmon and Sea Trout

Inland Fisheries Ireland has an exciting opportunity available for an Research Officer to join the Research and Development division.

Inland Fisheries Ireland is the state agency with statutory responsibility for the protection, conservation and management of Atlantic salmon and sea trout in Ireland. The Research Officer (RO) will be responsible for providing high quality scientific input to support IFI’s statutory remit in this regard.  Under the guidance of the Senior Research Officer (SRO), this will include participation in and operational management of existing and envisaged scientific research programmes and initiatives, the provision of scientific advice on stock status and associated reporting, quantification and assessment of pressures and threats to the continued sustainability of stocks and supporting related policy development.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated an excellence in the design, planning and execution of applied scientific studies in field situations, and possess excellent scientific writing and analytical skills. The role will involve both desk and field investigations and the appointee will assume specific responsibility for the day to day delivery of the anadromous salmonid research programme in the National Salmonid Index Catchment (NSIC) River Erriff in Leenane, Co. Mayo. 

The ideal candidate will also have project management experience including managing teams and will have demonstrated networking and communication skills from interactions with both internal and external stakeholders.

The position will require flexibility regarding working hours.

The position is based at the NSIC Erriff, Leenane, Co. Mayo. However, regular travel in Ireland and some travel abroad may be required. Transport will be provided for field duties and full Civil Service subsistence rates will be paid while working in the field or travelling. Field work will involve physical exertion, including walking over rough terrain, lifting equipment, wading in streams/rivers and working in boats. This work will be conducted in all weather conditions.

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

Our rivers, lakes, and coastal ecosystems support abundant fish populations for future generations.

Mission

We will conserve, protect, restore, and advocate for our fisheries, habitats and biodiversity.

Values

• We are committed to the environment and sustainability.

• We work collaboratively and with professionalism.

• We communicate openly and transparently.

• We act with respect, integrity, and accountability

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Providing high quality scientific input to support IFI’s statutory remit to protect, conserve and manage Atlantic salmon and sea trout in Ireland.

• Participation in and operational management of existing and envisaged scientific research programmes and initiatives including those at the NSIC Erriff.

• Provision of scientific advice on stock status and associated reporting, quantification and assessment of pressures and threats to the continued sustainability of stocks and supporting related policies.

Management

• Manage, mentor, train and motivate research staff under their supervision.

• Supervision of R&D staff at the NSIC Erriff.

• Ensure all assigned programmes are managed in-line with best project, scientific and financial practice and are completed within the allocated budget.

• Tendering and procurement of equipment and services.

• Planning, resourcing and scheduling of fieldwork.

• Compilation/revision of standard operating procedures for existing and new activities.

Research

• Participation in and operational responsibilities for existing IFI research programmes concerning Atlantic salmon and sea trout (including national catchment-wide electrofishing and PIT tagging) and related project and budget management and reporting.

• Day to day management of and participation in research activities in the NSIC Erriff. Such research activities concern juvenile and adult stock assessment, telemetry studies focused on marine survival and migration, studies concerning the impacts of aquaculture on wild salmonids, disease and invasive species surveillance work and associated project and budget management and fieldwork duties and reporting.

• Participation in new, emerging and future necessary research initiatives that arise, in collaboration with IFI colleagues and national and international partners (funding applications, fieldwork, data analyses, reporting, project and budget management).

• Keep abreast of research developments concerning Atlantic salmon and sea trout.

• Develop/refine sampling methods and research plans in line with best practice.

Technological

• Keep abreast of technological and research developments

Data

• Collect, collate and manage relevant scientific and supporting data.

• Supervise and undertake data analyses of all relevant datasets, including using relevant statistical/modelling techniques.

• Quality assure and review all datasets for entry to databases/GIS. Maintain data and all other records in a clear concise manner and in line with IFI’s file management and data management polices.

Reporting and advice provision

• Regular provision of advice to stakeholders and public representatives as needs arise.

• Represent IFI at fora and meetings in relation to salmon and sea trout as required.

• Support the work of the Technical Expert Group on Salmon and provide annual advice on salmon stocks at both an individual river level and nationally.

• Participation in and reporting obligations for the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation for EU (Ireland) and associated working groups as required.

• Participation in and reporting obligations for the International Council for the Sea working groups as required.

• Reporting obligations under EU DCMAP (EU Multi-Annual Programme) and Article 17 EC Habitats Directive and participation in associated working groups as required.

• Participation in the preparation and publication of various scientific reports, advice documents and papers where necessary to agreed deadlines.

Legal

• Have a clear understanding of relevant legislation and guidance and its implications for IFI, with particular reference to relevant European Directives, NASCO and ICES advice and Irish fisheries and conservation law.

Other Responsibilities

• Carry out other responsibilities as may be assigned to the post from time to time by the SRO.

• Ensure that all elements of the responsibilities and work assigned 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 requirements change over time.

KEY EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS 

The ideal candidate will have the following;

Essential

• A primary degree in relevant area

• Circa 5 years’ experience in working at a professional level in relevant area

• A full, clean, Category B driving licence that is valid in Ireland

• Demonstrable experience of field surveys in aquatic habitats and working with fish

• Excellent interpersonal and team working skills

• Self-directed, self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision

• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to critically evaluate information

• Project management experience (planning, fieldwork management)

• Demonstrable experience in report and scientific writing to a high standard

• Demonstrable experience in the use of relevant statistical software (e.g. R package) for graphical and data analyses

• Knowledge of anadromous salmonids and of the threats and pressures they face

• Experience in planning, executing and reporting on original research studies

• Strong IT skills (notably GIS software, MS Office)

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in relevant area

• Staff management and budgeting experience

• Experience in fish monitoring/telemetry

• Experience in fish stock assessment

• Experience working in boats

• Experience in advising stakeholders

• Understanding of and experience in statistical modelling

• Scientific publications in a relevant field

• Full EB driving licence

  
  

REMUNERATION

The salary scale for the position is at the level of Research Officer as applies in Inland Fisheries Ireland. This is a 14-point scale including 2 long service increments (LSI’s): Point 1 €47,983.07; Point 2 €50,107.72; Point 3 €53,217.13; Point 4 €55,902.66; Point 5 €58,151.57; Point 6 €60,348.60; Point 7 €65,357.77; Point 8 €67,731.06; Point 9 €70,231.86; Point 10 €72,727.61; Point 11 €75,210.73; Point 12 €77,726.67; LSI 1 €79,573.55; LSI 2 €82,186.70

(IFI RO Grade Payscale as of 01.02.2026)

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.

LOCATION
NSIC Erriff Aasleagh Lodge, Leenane, Co. Mayo

TENURE

This post is offered on a permanent contract basis.

APPLICATIONS

A cover letter and up to date Curriculum Vitae should be submitted by 5.00 pm Thursday 8th of October 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.