Project Manager, Food & Health Research Programme

College of Science, Engineering & Food Science

University College Cork (UCC) is seeking applications for suitably qualified persons for the post of Project Manager of the PRTLI 4-funded Food and Health research programme in UCC, 3-year whole-time contract. The manager will work closely with the Coordinator of the PRTLI-4 programme.  In addition, the appointee will liaise with the Steering Committee which is responsible for overseeing UCC’s wider strategic initiative in Food and Health through the continued development of its multi centre, transdiclipinary research programmes.  This is a full-time fixed term contract appointment.

Please send:

1) A letter of introduction stating why you would be suitable for the position.

2) Your CV, including contact details and e-mail addresses for two people willing to provide a reference letter.

3) Deadline for applications is 01st April 2008. Only those candidates considered suitable for the post will be informed by return email. Candidates considered suitable for the post will be required to attend for interview (date and location to be announced).

Job description

Location:        University College Cork

Job type:         Fixed term (3 years) Contract, whole-time

Salary:            Post-doctorate Research Scale (€38,000 - €54,000 per annum)

Appointment on the scale will be made commensurate with qualifications and experience

Brief background:

The Food and Health research theme is a central element of UCC’s research strategy and is a key component in its new Strategic Framework for 2006-2011. The research has focused on functional foods, impact of nutrients and bioactive food components on human gut, bone and metabolic health, elucidating mechanisms of action using nutritional genomics and on microbial food safety.  The Food and Health theme at UCC has been supported through the Higher Education Authority’s Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) Cycles 1, 3 and 4; this investment has a number of impacts including continued success in major national fundings and EU Framework programmes, assisting the foundation of the internationally recognised APC (funded through the SFI CSET programme and industry), National Functional Foods Centre (with UCD and funded through Enterprise Ireland and industry), providing infrastructure that facilitates collaboration with other institutions (particularly UCD and UU) and agencies (particularly Teagasc), providing a platform for commercialisation opportunities, the employment of a number of high quality research scientists who remain highly productive at UCC and the training of significant number of postgraduate students. The Food and Health research theme has made a significant contribution to teaching at UCC with elements integrated into various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. UCC, together with UCD and Teagasc, is heavily committed to the National Graduate Training Programme in the agri-food sector. 

The present PRTLI-4 programme (“Irish Food and Health Research Alliance”) has established a formal structure whereby the consortium (six universities in Ireland with an international profile in food and health research as well as Teagasc) can continue to progress in an integrated, focussed manner to deliver internationally competitive research outputs in line with Government strategy.  Furthermore, in order that Irish universities in which Food and Health is a strategic aim can compete to deliver the national and EU needs in this area, a number of infrastructural deficits needs to be addressed as part of a National Food and Health Research Programme (“Irish Food and Health Research Alliance”). 

Responsibilities:

· Support the Coordinator of the UCC’s PRTLI-4 Food and Health programme in terms of meeting its objectives and deliverables

· Liaise with a Steering Committee which is responsible for overseeing  UCC’s wider strategic initiative in Food and Health through the continued development of its multi-centre, trans-diclipinary research programmes

· Coordinate with and utilise the expertise of existing resources within the University and promoting UCC’s Food and Health programme to relevant stakeholders (including industry and funding agencies)

· Ensure the delivery of operational, financial and promotion objectives within the Food and Health initiative at UCC

· Provide managerial and operational support for research activities that optimise research outputs

· Manage the day to day operation of UCC’s PRTLI-4 Food and Health programme

· Promote UCC’s wider strategic Food and Health initiative to both internal and external audiences and managing the overall promotion strategy for the initiative

· Build strong relationships with industry partners to ensure that they understand the role of UCC’s Food and Health and to promote it as a resource for the industry

· Prepare activity reports for funding agencies and external stakeholders (ie PRTLI-4  progress reports for the HEA)

Selection Criteria:

· Qualified to at least degree level in a science discipline, ideally with some postgraduate research experience to MSc or PhD level or experience with industry, preferably some area of the food sector

· Strong organisational and administrative skills

· Outstanding communication and relationship building skills

· Able to deal with people at all levels in academia and industry

· Experience in project management, preferably in a research or academic environment and preferably with substantial projects. This experience should also include reporting both of financial and research aspects

· Flexibility and the ability to work as an effective team member

Please send covering letter and CV to Professor Kevin Cashman, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland (k.cashman@ucc.ie).  Further information may be obtained from Professor Kevin Cashman, UCC (k.cashman@ucc.ie; 021 490 1317).

University College Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer