Director of Engineering Research & Innovation
(Senior Lecturer III)
SETU is seeking applications for Director of Engineering Research & Innovation (Senior Lecturer III). The successful applicant will be a renowned expert in their field with an international reputation evidenced by, for example, authorship on an acclaimed body of work, membership of editorial boards and invitations to present keynote/plenary lectures at international conferences, or leading industry focused research.
They will have experience in securing national and international funding, leading research teams, leading partnerships between Education Institutions and industry on collaborative programmes and publishing at a high impact level. Commercialisation knowledge and transitioning research outcomes to maximise innovation impacts is also desirable. They are thought leaders in their field, contributing to debates and informing the development of policy.
Reporting to the Head of Faculty of Engineering in SETU (Carlow), the Director of Engineering Research & Innovation will have a key role in the development of South East Technological University in building research capacity to secure the transformation of research performance and function as an engine of economic growth. They will also support the new Technological University to strengthen and deepen its research capacity that is focused on the needs of the economy and society, underpinned by a robust theoretical base.
The post is funded under the following initiative
The Irish government is committed to delivering the resources and supports to keep Ireland at the forefront of research, innovation, and development in an era of rapid technological and social change. From Project Ireland 2040 to Future Jobs Ireland 2019, government-led initiatives recognise the importance of research in maintaining Ireland’s prosperity and competitiveness in Europe and globally. Leveraging the skills, knowledge and talent of outstanding researchers in higher education institutions (HEIs), Ireland aims to push the frontiers of knowledge for social, technological, and environmental progress.
A national strategic approach to achieving gender equality in Irish higher education has been adopted, involving all the key stakeholders (e.g. government departments/agencies, research funding agencies and HEIs). All HEIs are required to have an institutional Gender Action Plan and report annually to the Higher Education Authority on their progress in bringing about sustainable organisational change and empowering a culture of gender equality. Irish research funding agencies have linked eligibility to apply for their research grants to attainment of institutional Athena SWAN certification and Irish HEIs have actively embraced this with the majority holding a Bronze level certification.
Ireland is leading the drive to accelerate gender balance at the highest point of the academic career path through a government-backed scheme, focused on attracting outstanding female academics. The Senior Academic Leadership Initiative aims to help achieve equality of outcome in the higher education sector. New and additional senior academic leadership posts will be funded in areas:
- Where there is clear evidence of significant gender under representation.
- Where this appointment will have significant impact within the HEI and the relevant faculty/department/functional unit.
- Where they would be a proportionate and effective means to achieve accelerated and sustainable change within an institution.
There will be 45 senior academic leadership initiative posts provided across sectors (e.g. university and institute of technology) over three cycles of awards. These posts will be new and additional to the sector, i.e. they are in addition to the existing Employment Control Framework (ECF), and they will be funded through new and additional funding provided specifically to help address the significant gender imbalance among academic staff at senior levels.
While this Initiative gives priority to highly qualified female candidates within the boundaries of what is legally permissible, in order to address their under-representation; preferential consideration of female candidates is excluded if other reasons worthy of legal protection prevail. In exceptional circumstances, candidates who are in a minority or protected under Irish social legislation, or who also belong to an under-represented minority in academic posts may be considered if the institution can clearly articulate reasons worthy of legal protection as to why they should be considered.
Application & Closing Date
Completed application forms must be returned to [email protected] before the closing date of Friday 9th December 2022 at 12:00 noon. Application forms sent to any other email address will not be included in the recruitment process. Please do not attach a Curriculum Vitae or other information to the application form.
