Overview

Permanent Whole-Time Post

UCC now wishes to appoint a Professor/Chair of Machine Learning to strengthen its Futures in AI and Data Analytics. The new Professor/Chair in Machine Learning will report to the Head of School of Computer Science and Information Technology and liaise closely with the Director of the Futures in AI and Data Analytics in respect to research.
 
We are looking for a world-class scientist with expertise in the foundations of machine learning and its applications to deep learning and the ability and desire to:

• develop and lead research and teaching activities in the broad area of Machine Learning;
• establish and manage a significant world-class research team supported by competitively won research funding; including the supervision of research students at PhD level;
• publish in leading journals, including the top IEEE, ACM and Elsevier journals, and conferences such as Neurips, ICML, ICLR.;
• develop and strengthen links between Computer Science and key industry players working in and applying AI and Machine Learning, both locally and internationally, and proactively interacting with such industry with a view to developing research, teaching and outreach activities of mutual benefit;
• take up leadership roles in the school,  including serving as  Head of School;
• take leadership roles in Machine Learning across the University, nationally and internationally;
• contribute to the overall strategic development of the school;
• represent the school at internal and external events.

The Professor/Chair for Machine Learning has the opportunity to become involved in ongoing national AI/ML activities through the Insight Centre (to become the DANU Centre in 2027), the new national AI Centre, as well as other national centres such as CeADAR, and leverage our existing networks within major EU AI programmes. The School of Computer Science and IT (CSIT) and the Insight Centre for Data Analytics have  heavily invested in infrastructure to support research in machine learning foundations and applications. CSIT has also been building strategic partnerships with independent commercial and international (EU funded) HPC providers, including several AI Factories. UCC CSIT, through its Insight Centre for Data Analytics, is involved in all national and significant EU AI initiatives such as the AI4EU programme. This will offer the Professor/Chair of Machine Learning the opportunity to engage with the Irish and European AI and Machine Learning community in collaborative research. To support the Professor/Chair of Machine Learning in kick-starting their activities, the University/School will negotiate a start-up package, details to be discussed with the successful applicant.  The Professor will also initially be assigned a reduced teaching load to allow them to startup their research activities in UCC.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process. For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see https://ore.ucc.ie/. The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Professor Dirk Pesch, Email: dirk.pesch@ucc.ie 

This position is being filled as part of UCC Futures - Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics.

What is UCC Futures – Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics?

The staggering expansion and influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics in our daily lives is a defining feature of the 21st century. With a complementary relationship, AI and Data Analytics are rapidly becoming two of the most important technologies in the world today. Their impact is transformational, disrupting society and industry alike. Over the last decade alone, the availability of vast amounts of digital data, the availability of powerful computing architectures, and advances in AI techniques such as machine learning have led to major advances across multiple sectors. There have been significant AI-enabled and data driven developments in smart manufacturing, autonomous vehicles, healthcare, home/service robots, education, cybersecurity, to name but a few.

Fundamental scientific advances in automated reasoning, Boolean satisfiability, and complex problem solving, have brought within reach a variety of intractable AI tasks that arise in scheduling, diagnosis, model-based reasoning, security, verification, and planning. Building on the legacy of Professor George Boole at University College Cork, UCC Futures – AI & Data Analytics promotes interdisciplinary collaboration at the cutting edge of AI and Data Analytics.

Duties of the post

In accordance with the University’s strategic objective as a research-led institution, the duties of all academic staff include research, research-led teaching and contributions to the university, the discipline and the community.

The academic staff member shall teach and examine, undertake administrative duties and carry out other duties appropriate to the post, under the general direction of the Head of the School of Computer Science and Information Technology. In particular, they will undertake leading research in Machine Learning, including strong interaction with national and international research partners as appropriate. The successful appointee will also proactively engage with industry and public sector organisations as appropriate.

The roles and responsibilities outlined below are to be interpreted in the context of the relevant Statutes and where there is any difference arising from interpretation, statutory provisions take precedent. For the sake of clarity, the relevant elements of the statutes not already incorporated in the numbered sections are appended in italics under each subheading.

Leadership | Research | Teaching & Examining | Contributions

Leadership

• Demonstrate academic leadership in the development of the discipline of Computer Science with emphasis on AI and Machine Learning in UCC through research, teaching, and scholarship, and in any other appropriate manner, including through industry interaction;
• Mentor, support, inspire and advise staff, including in particular junior staff, as appropriate and assist in their overall career development in both research and teaching; furthermore foster the research and scholarship of other individuals and groups within the academic unit, and the University.

Research

• Engage in internationally competitive research and scholarship and contribute to the advancement of knowledge within AI and Machine Learning with an emp s s on t eoun t ons o m c ne e n ng n pp c t ons o eep e n ng, and publish their research in appropriate international peer-reviewed publications, creative works or other forms of scholarship appropriate to the discipline such as in leading journals, including the top IEEE, ACM and Elsevier journals, and conferences such as NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, AAAI, IJCAI, ECAI, etc;
• Carry out initiatives in generating research income (including with industry) through competitive national and international funding routes, focusing on AI and Machine Learning;
• Develop and strengthen links between Computer Science and key industry players working in and applying AI and Machine Learning, both locally and internationally, and proactively interacting with such industry with a view to developing research, teaching and outreach activities of mutual benefit;
• Coordinate research funding activities within the School of Computer Science and Information Technology, and/or related Schools and Research Institutes within UCC;
• Supervise students undertaking research projects (especially at PhD level);
• Engage in other scholarly activities relevant to the discipline.

Teaching & Examining

• Promote excellence in teaching and learning and encourage the application of innovative teaching and learning methodologies within the School of Computer Science and Information Technology and within other academic units in the University, as appropriate;
• Teach and examine on courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level specifically in the area of machine learning, where appropriate, adult and continuing education courses and make a distinguished personal contribution to teaching at all levels;
• Supervise, inspire and encourage undergraduate and postgraduate students;
• Contribute to, and take a leadership role where appropriate in, the regular evaluation of curricula, and the development of new curricular initiatives;
• Perform a significant role in the development of postgraduate studies at UCC;
• Lead in the maintenance of academic standards and in the development of the curriculum within the discipline of Computer Science

• to give the students attending their ordinary lectures assistance in their studies, by advice, by informal instruction, by occasional and periodic examination, and otherwise, as they may judge to be expedient; also, to make such arrangements as they see fit to make to meet students who have individual queries;
• to give instruction to their students and assist them in the pursuit of knowledge;
• to hold, or assist at, all University examinations in the subjects with which they are examiner.

Contributions

• Promote Computer Science, AI and Machine Learning both inside and outside the University and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University and society;
• Develop and strengthen links between Computer Science and the key industry players working in and applying AI and Machine Learning, both locally and internationally;
• Proactively and constructively interact with industry with a view to developing research, teaching and outreach activities of mutual benefit;
• Serve as Head of one of the College’s academic units subject to relevant University regulations, statutes and management requirements;
• Develop links with professional bodies and external agencies, where appropriate;
• Contribute to the administrative duties of the School of Computer Science and Information Technology, and to act as a member of such committees as may be required within the University;
• Fulfil other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned by the Head of Discipline/School;
• Carry out other duties as may arise as identified in the University Statutes

• to carry out administrative and other appropriate duties lawfully allocated to them within their School  or other academic unit;
• if a member of the Academic Council, to attend its meetings;
• to serve upon all the committees to which they may be appointed by the Governing Body or the Academic Council, and to assist and co-operate with the Governing Body in such other reasonable ways as the Governing Body may prescribe, for the maintenance of discipline and good conduct among the students, or for the general business of the University.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will be expected to have:

Qualifications | Leadership | Teaching and Examining | Research | Contributions  | Other

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

1. A PhD in Computer Science or closely related discipline.

Leadership

Essential Criteria

2. Evidence of ability to lead and inspire a team of researchers producing outcomes of significant impact (essential);
3. Ability to provide vision and leadership in the development of the Discipline of Computer Science, in particular, the development of a research strategy for the area of AI and Machine Learning;
4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills commensurate with leading and supporting a team of committed academic and administrative colleagues together with the demonstrated ability and willingness to work in a collaborative environment.

Research

Essential Criteria

5. A strong research track record evidencing an international standing as a leading researcher in the foundations of Machine Learning and applications of Deep Learning, as evidenced through a record of high-quality research outputs, including, for example, peer reviewed publications, patents, international conference invitations and/or other appropriate forms of scholarship;
6. A significant successful research funding record through industry, and/or government funded awards;
7. Significant research expertise in Machine Learning, with potential to align a research strategy with that of the University, and especially its Futures programme;
8. Ability and willingness to collaborate with colleagues on research projects, as appropriate to the discipline.

Desirable Criteria

9. Evidence of international distinctions or recognitions as a leading international scholar in the area.

Teaching and Examining

Essential Criteria

10. Evidence of significant achievement and strong track record in research-led teaching in AI and Machine Learning and/or close cognate areas;
11. Evidence of ability to teach, inspire and supervise students, communicate ideas and concepts in a teaching and learning environment; and have developed and led postgraduate supervision to doctorate level.

Desirable Criteria

12. Evidence of contributions to innovation in teaching and in curriculum or programme development, review and evaluation and the ability to lead the development of new programmes as determined by School and University strategy;
13. A familiarity with and willingness to use modern teaching technologies.

Contributions

Essential Criteria

14. Proven administrative, organisational and managerial experience in an academic leadership position, or equivalent;
15. Demonstrated potential to proactively engage with industry to develop mutually beneficial activities in research, teaching and/or outreach activities;
16. Demonstrated commitment to the long-term development of the discipline of Computer Science with emphasis on AI and Machine Learning.

Desirable Criteria

17. Proven track record of leading, and participating in, outreach activities relating to “STEM”, and AI and Machine Learning in particular;
18. Evidence of active participation in relevant academic and professional associations/bodies as appropriate.

Other

19. An understanding of, and empathy with, the concerns of students;
20. Evidence of ability to work on own initiatives as well as part of a team;
21. A commitment to the long term development of Computer Science, AI and Machine Learning.

Candidates are requested to make a personal assessment of these criteria against their own qualifications, skills and abilities to assess whether they should apply for the post.

Please note: Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the criteria as detailed above will not be short listed.

The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

Salary Information

Applications for this post

How to apply

Applications for this post are received through UCC's online application portal. You'll be required to set up a profile (if you don't already have one). 

You can find the posts associated with UCC Futures - AI & Data Analytics by selecting 'Academic UCC Futures' in the search by vacancy type field.

Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to uccfuturesrecruitment@ucc.ie, quoting the job title.

What to include in your application

Applications should consist of your academic CV and a cover letter demonstrating your academic and research achievements. We would also like to hear about your research ambitions and how your academic and research profile aligns with the UCC Futures - AI & Data Analytics initiative.

Details of the following should also be included, as appropriate:

• Publications
• Research Interests
• Teaching Interests and Abilities
• Teaching Objectives and Methods

Who to contact

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Professor Dirk Pesch, Email: dirk.pesch@ucc.ie 

Deadline for applications

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12pm (Irish Standard Time) on Tuesday 14 April 2025. No late applications will be accepted.

Equality statement

University College Cork is committed to being a fully inclusive global university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core values under our UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028. UCC holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of age, care-giving status, disability, ethnicity, gender and/or gender identity or expression status, nationality, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/creed, and/or sexual orientation. We are committed to supporting all staff through flexible working schemes, family-friendly policies, training and development, and staff networks. We value the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seek to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual in line with equality legislation. We encourage applicants to consult our Dignity and Respect Policy and learn more about our EDI related initiatives.