Overview

Permanent Whole Time Post

UCC wishes to appoint an academic to the role of Senior Lecturer in Statistics. Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent qualification in Statistics or in a closely related Data Science area such as Biostatistics or Statistical/Machine Learning and have a track record of independent research of international standing. Reporting to the Head of School of Mathematical Sciences, the appointee will play a pivotal role in the development of Statistical Science in the School and across the University.  The successful candidate will provide leadership in developing the research profile of Statistics, working collaboratively with colleagues to develop external partnerships and secure funding to support PhD students.

This is a key academic role with responsibility for leading or contributing to the School’s delivery of BSc and MSc programmes, driving growth in PhD enrolment, and embedding statistical research across the Research Clusters within University College Cork’s Futures Research Initiative. The School has an established international partner and successful candidate will be expected to foster this relationship through practical commitment to internationalization in teaching and research activities.

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.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Martin Kilian, Head of School, School of Mathematical Sciences, Email:  M.Kilian@ucc.ie 

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

What is UCC Futures – Artificial Intelligence & Data Anlaytics

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 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 Computer Science and Information Technology.

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, that 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.

Teaching and Examining | Research | Contributions

Teaching and Examining

1. Demonstrate excellence in research-led teaching and learning and apply innovative teaching and learning methodologies within the School of Mathematical Sciences and within other academic units in the University, as appropriate;
2. Teach and examine on courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level and, where, appropriate adult and continuing education courses;
3. Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students, including the supervision of doctoral theses in Statistics;
4. Contribute to the regular evaluation of curricula with reference to content, delivery and assessment and the development of new curricular initiatives;
5. Perform an active role in the maintenance of academic standards in the development of the curriculum within their discipline;
6. Contribute to the development of postgraduate studies at UCC

• 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 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 an examiner.

Research

• Engage in productive research and scholarship and contribute to the advancement of knowledge, Publish research in leading peer reviewed journals, and present findings at international conferences;
• Supervise students undertaking research projects (especially at PhD level);
• Lead or contribute to grant applications and collaborative projects to secure research funding from national and international sources;
• Engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary research activities relevant to Statistics and its applications;
• Develop, maintain, and deepen global collaborations with universities and research institutions;
• Engage in other scholarly activities relevant to the discipline.

Contributions

• Contribute to the administrative duties of the discipline/department/school and the academic life of the University;
• Participate as a member of such committees as may be required within the academic unit and by the University;
• Mentor and advise newly appointed and junior academic staff, as well as visiting academics from partner universities;
• Develop links with professional bodies and external agencies where appropriate;
• Serve if required as head of one of the College’s academic units subject to relevant University regulations, statutes or management requirements;
• Promote the discipline both inside and outside the University and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University and society;
• Carry out other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned by the head of discipline/department/school

• 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 can 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 meet the following essential criteria:

Qualifications | Teaching and Examining | Research | Contributions | Other

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

1. A doctorate or appropriate professional qualification and a significant record of research and publication in Statistics, Data Science, Biostatistics, or a related area.

Teaching and Examining

Essential Criteria

2. Evidence of a commitment to excellence in research-led teaching;
3. Significant experience in lecturing, examining and supporting students across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes both in and outside the area of research specialisation;
4. 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 undertake postgraduate supervision to doctorate level.

Desirable Criteria

5. Evidence of a significant contribution to innovation around teaching and examining, curriculum design, review and development;
6. A familiarity with and willingness to use modern teaching technologies.

Research

Essential Criteria

7. A record of successful achievement and international recognition through research and within the discipline and ideally in one of the areas of Statistics, Biostatistics, or Machine Learning;
8. Evidence of consistent and continuing output of research in peer reviewed publications or equivalent outputs appropriate to the discipline;
9. Evidence of active engagement in research and scholarly activities including research supervision, examining, editing and refereeing research output and/or grant applications as appropriate for the discipline;
10. Experience of leadership or leadership potential in the area of research, in addition to research grant applications, success in achieving competitive research grants or other sources of funding and the ability and willingness to collaborate with colleagues on research projects, as appropriate to the discipline.

Contributions

Essential Criteria

11. Proven administrative experience or evidence of ability to undertake academic administrative responsibility within the Discipline Department and/or School/College at a high level;
12. The ability to participate in and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University, the academic discipline and society at large.

Desirable Criteria

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

Other

Essential Criteria

14. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills commensurate with working alongside a team of committed academic and administrative colleagues together with the demonstrated ability and willingness to work in a collaborative environment;
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.

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

Salary Information

Appointment may be made on the Senior Lecturer Salary Scale: €83,910 - €118,893 (Scale B) / €81,033 - €112,948 (Scale A).

Applications for this post

How to apply

Applications for this post are received through UCC's online application portal 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
• 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: Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Martin Kilian, Head of School, School of Mathematical Sciences, Email:  M.Kilian@ucc.ie 

Deadline for applications

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12pm (Irish Local Time) on Tuesday, 03 March 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.