Overview

Permanent Whole-time Post

UCC wishes to appoint an experienced academic leader with an international research profile to the role of Professor (scale 2) in the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. The post holder will provide academic leadership in Biochemistry research and education, fostering collaborations across disciplines. The successful candidate will report to the Heads of School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. The successful candidate will have an outstanding record of scholarly achievement and research leadership and will lead the growth and development of collaborative research programmes within the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology.
 
This post is aligned to UCC Futures - Future Pharmaceuticals, a multidisciplinary team of leading academics, scientists and engineers at UCC, working across disciplines to advance knowledge which underpins discovery, development, and translational implementation of next-generation biopharmaceuticals, integrating fundamental biochemistry with therapeutic insights to accelerate the translation of molecular discoveries into innovative therapies and precision medicines.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Professor Justin McCarthy, Head of School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, email: jv.mccarthy@ucc.ie

Further information on the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology can be found on the School website.

This position is being filled as part of UCC Futures - Future Pharmaceuticals.

What is UCC Futures – Future Pharmaceuticals

UCC Futures – Future Pharmaceuticals is driving enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration among world leading scientists and engineers and building on established industry partnerships. Modern medicines are increasingly based on complex pharmaceuticals and advanced therapeutics. These new emerging treatments and therapies increase the complexity of component materials and processes. UCC Futures - Future Pharmaceuticals is advancing knowledge which underpins discovery, development and manufacturing, from small molecules to biopharmaceuticals. 

Transcending traditional discipline boundaries is critical to ensure effective and advanced collaboration, development and production of new medicines at scale that ensure availability, affordability, efficacy and safety through a patient-centric approach. UCC Futures - Future Pharmaceuticals leverages extensive infrastructure between our key Schools and research institutes including APC Microbiome Ireland and our flagship Tyndall National Institute. Our existing collaborations with strategic national partners including NIBRT, the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training and SSPC, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals, strengthens our industry engagement through collaborative research.

Duties of the post

In accordance with the University’s strategic objective as a research-led institution, the duties of all academic staff will 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 Biochemistry and Cell Biology.

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 will 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 and Examining | Contributions

Leadership

• Demonstrate clear vision and strategy to support the development of Biochemistry and Cell Biology through research, teaching and scholarship;
• Undertake leadership, administrative, managerial activities and tasks, as appropriate, that support and add value to the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and UCC;
• Mentor, support and advise junior staff as appropriate and assist in their academic career development in teaching and research.

Research

• Engage in high quality and productive research and scholarship of international standing and contribute to and lead the advancement of knowledge within his/her discipline and publish his/her research in appropriate peer-reviewed publications, creative works or other forms of scholarship appropriate to the discipline;
• Carry out and lead as appropriate, initiatives in generating research income and assist in the co-ordination of research funding activities within the school, as appropriate to the discipline;
• Supervise students undertaking research projects (especially at PhD level);
• Engage in other scholarly activities relevant both to the discipline and the senior level of the post.

Teaching and Examining

• Promote excellence in teaching and learning and support in both the development and the application of innovative teaching and learning methodologies within the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and within other academic units in the University, as appropriate;
• Teach and examine on courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level and where appropriate, adult and continuing education courses and make a significant contribution to teaching at all levels;Supervise 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;
• Play a significant role in the maintenance of academic standards and in the development of the curriculum within their subject areas

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

Contributions

• Enhance the promotion of the discipline both inside and outside the University and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University and society;
• Serve, if required as head of one of the College’s academic units, subject to relevant University regulations, statutes and management requirements;
• Actively seek to develop links with professional bodies and external agencies, where appropriate;
• Play a significant role in the administrative duties of the school and 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 school;
• Carry out other duties which may arise as identified in the University statutes

• to carry out administrative and other appropriate duties lawfully allocated to them within their department or other academic unit;
• if a member of the Academic Council, to attend its meetings;
• to serve upon all the committees to which s/he 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.

The above listing is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake duties as may reasonably be expected. All staff are required to be flexible, co-operative and professional within the needs of the post and the Discipline/Department/School, College and University. The University is undertaking a major reform of its internal structures which may necessitate possible future changes in the organisation of its activities.

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 an area relevant of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (as broadly defined) and a significant record of research and publication in the relevant discipline.

Leadership

Essential Criteria

2. The ability to contribute substantially to the development of Biochemistry and Cell Biology research and education within the strategic frameworks of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science and the University;
3. Evidence of leadership potential in both teaching and research;
4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills commensurate with playing a significant role within 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. International standing as a leading researcher and scholar in the domain of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, as evidenced through a substantial volume and consistent and continued output of high-quality refereed publications, creative works or other appropriate forms of scholarship and a strong research funding record, as appropriate to the discipline;
6. A significant and established track record and commitment to attract competitive research funding, as appropriate to the discipline;
7. Evidence of an international reputation and peer recognition in the applicant’s discipline through research and scholarly activity within the discipline, including research supervision, examining, editing and refereeing, as appropriate for the discipline.

Teaching and Examining

Essential Criteria

8. Evidence of high-quality achievement in and commitment to excellence in research-led teaching and learning in Biochemistry and Cell Biology, at undergraduate and postgraduate level and a willingness to both contribute to and lead in the development of the teaching programmes offered by the academic unit;
9. The ability to teach, inspire and supervise students, communicate ideas and concepts in a teaching and learning environment and where the opportunity has existed, to develop and lead postgraduate supervision to doctorate level.

Desirable Criteria

10. Evidence of a contribution to innovation in teaching and in curriculum or programme development, review and evaluation;
11. A familiarity with, and willingness to use modern teaching technologies.

Contributions

Essential Criteria

12. Proven senior administrative experience and evidence of holding significant positions of responsibility;
13. Ability to participate in and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University, the academic discipline and society at large.

Desirable Criteria

14. Evidence of significant participation in relevant academic and professional associations/bodies as appropriate.

Other

Essential Criteria

15. An understanding of, and empathy with, the concerns of students;
16. Evidence of ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team;
17. A commitment to the long-term development of the discipline;
18. Ability to contribute to strategic planning, research strategy, or institutional development.

Salary Information

Appointment may be made on the Professor (Scale 2) Salary Scale: €123,150 - €144,633 (Scale B) / €116,992 - €137,402 (Scale A).

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 - Future Pharmaceuticals 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 - Future Pharmaceuticals initiative.

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

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

Who to contact

We encourage all applicants to contact us prior to making an application for the position. 

Contact

• Professor Justin McCarthy, Head of School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology.

Deadline for applications

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12pm (Irish Standard Time) on Tuesday, 14 July 2026. 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.