Experimental Officer (Division IV) 14 Month SPC Maternity Leave Full-Time or Part-Time

Experimental Officer (Division IV)

14 Month Specified Purpose Contract - Maternity Leave

The Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH) wishes to recruit a Microbiologist to act as Experimental Officer on a 14 month Maternity Leave specified purpose contract. The primary purpose of this post is to facilitate the day-to-day operational management of the DDUH Oral Biosciences Laboratory. In addition the postholder will be responsible for routine monitoring of the Hospitals water automated network system clinical diagnostic services and environmental monitoring of Legionella.

Much of its research is carried out in the Oral Biosciences Laboratory which is a busy laboratory hosting postdocs postgraduate and undergraduate students as well as providing services to support Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures in the DDUH.

This role may be offered on either a full- time or part-time basis with working hours ranging from 18.5 39 hours per week.

The appointee will be responsible for management of the Oral Biosciences Laboratory and will report to the Head of the Division of Oral Biosciences. Overall post management is undertaken by the Executive team of the DDUH comprising the CEO Dean and Clinical Director.

Outline of Duties and Responsibilities

The Experimental Officer will act as the day-to-day manager of the Oral Biosciences Laboratory.In addition they will be responsible for environmental monitoring and contamination control management throughout DDUH including Legionella controls and routine diagnostics.

The successful candidate:

• Will be responsible for the routine management of the Oral Biosciences Laboratory to include;

  - Managing autoclaves and other equipment

  - Ordering and stock control

  - Service contracts

  - Induction training (including health and safety)

  - Managing first aid kits and other health and safety issues

• Will act as a resource for the Head of Division the Clinical Director the Division IV Assistant Professor in IPC and the CEO in relation to the management of environmental infection risks in DDUH.

• Will be responsible for routine monitoring (daily weekly monthly) of temperature and decontamination controls in DDUH water networks.

• Will be responsible for Legionellacontrol monitoring on DDUH water networks (culture testing for Legionella).

• Will be responsible for routine monitoring (daily weekly monthly) of environmental contamination throughout DDUH in conjunction with the Assistant Professor in IPC.

• Will liaise with the Buildings and Facilities Manager and the Assistant Professor in IPC in relation to operational management of microbiological controls on the hospital and associated buildings hot and cold-water networks.

• Will assist in the supervision of students in Division IV.

• Continue participation in Green Labs certification process.

• Will undertake processing of diagnostic samples for Candidaand staphylococcal species and will be responsible for logging reports in the patients dental record via Salud.

• Will assist in the provision of practical training including workshops and tutorials in Microbiology and IPC in DDUH.

• Will participate in continuing personal development activities.

The extent and speed of change in the delivery of services is such that adaptability is essential to this appointment. The person chosen will be required to maintain enhance and develop their professional knowledge skills and aptitudes necessary to respond to a changing situation. Therefore this Job Description is an outline of the current broad areas of responsibility and accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing. It will be reviewed and updated in line with future needs.

Qualifications Experience & Person Specification

The successful candidate must have:

• A third level qualification or higher with relevance to microbiology/laboratory sciences.

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a microbiology laboratory (including routine culture and diagnostics).

• Experience in managing day-to-day laboratory issues.

• Extensive experience of microbiological techniques to include:

  • media preparation

  • bacterial and fungal culture

  • microbial identification

• Have experience of managing the procurement and purchasing of microbiology laboratory supplies equipment and reagents.

• Have experience of stock control.

• Be aware of health and safety aspects safe codes of practice and chemical and biological safety for the day-to-day operations of a molecular microbiology laboratory.

• Have experience of assisting in the supervision and mentoring of students.

• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to communicate detailed scientific data to stakeholders and lay audiences.

• Be able to work independently to identify potential difficulties and formulate solutions.

• Be personally motivated with the ability to empower and motivate others.

• Have proven organisational and administrative skills.

• Demonstrable adaptability to rapid changes taking place in the educational and health services in general.

• Communicate effectively with everyone who is involved in the day to day running of a busy Microbiology department particularly in areas that are time critical. Must have the ability to solve problems locally think through the potential pit falls and act responsibly.

Desirable criteria:

• Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

• Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

  
  

General Information

Dublin Dental University Hospital will not be liable for travelling or other expenses incurred by candidates who may be invited to attend for interview.

Closing date for applications is Monday 30th March 2026 at noon.

In-person interviews to be scheduled after the closing date.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Prof Derek Sullivan Head of Div IV via email in the first instance . If you wish to request a full job description please contact Simion Tita HR Officer .

Interested candidates should submit a Cover Letter together with a copy of their Curriculum Vitae via Hirehive.

Offers are subject to Garda Vetting References Pre-employment Medical and CPD in various HSEland Training Programmes.

The Dublin Dental Hospital is an equal opportunities employer.