Overview

Permanent Whole Time Post

UCC Futures - Future Medicines combines a multidisciplinary team of renowned world leading scientists, engineers and clinician investigators at University College Cork and affiliated hospitals to deliver high-impact, transformational, next generation medicines and medical technologies. UCC Futures - Future Medicines is creating step-change advancements in earlier detection, faster prognosis and targeted treatments to reduce the global health burden and improve quality-of-life for patients with chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, neurological, and inflammatory diseases.  
 
UCC wishes to recruit a Professor / Professor Consultant in Clinical Trials at UCC. There will be an initial commitment to the role of Director of CRFC - UCC. The term of the appointment to Director of CRFC-UCC will be for 5 years with eligibility for re-appointment.
 
The successful candidate will be responsible for updating and implementing the CRF-UCC Business and Strategic plan as approved by the CRF-UCC Management Board and in accordance with the funders agreements. The post holder will ensure the appropriate governance and use of the Facility’s resources and will report on the CRF-UCC activities to its funders and stakeholders.

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 Helen Whelton.

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

What is UCC Futures – Future Medicines 

UCC Futures - Future Medicines combines a multidisciplinary team of renowned world leading scientists, engineers and clinician investigators at University College Cork and affiliated hospitals working collaboratively from bench to bedside, to advance the translation of next generation medicines and medical treatments for chronic disease conditions. 

It leverages the expertise and infrastructure across multiple Schools in UCC’s College of Medicine & Health, in addition to UCC Research Centres and Institutes including APC Microbiome Ireland and our flagship Tyndall National Institute. This unique translational environment will become a magnet for small & medium enterprise and  multi-national corporation investment in the region particularly across the biopharma, healthcare and medtech sectors. 

UCC Futures - Future Medicines is creating step-change advancements in earlier detection, faster prognosis and targeted treatments to reduce the global health burden and improve quality-of-life for patients with chronic conditions, such as cancer, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, and inflammatory diseases. 

Duties of the post

The Professor or Consultant Professor in Clinical Trials will report to the President of the Academic institution University College Cork through the Dean of the School of Medicine.

While in the role of Director of CRFC-UCC, the appointee will report to a bespoke Management Board which meets quarterly and their line manager will be the Head of the College of Medicine and Health. The post holder will coordinate CRF-UCC support for researchers in the development and submission of academic grants and subsequent conduct, analysis and reporting of successful awards. The post holder will be accountable for engagement with commercial partners and the conduct of commercially funded research within the CRF-UCC. While the position of Professor/Consultant in Clinical Trials is limited to suitably qualified and experienced candidates trained to consultant level, the alternative position of Professor of Clinical Trials is not limited to medical graduates; Applicants with an alternative background will be eligible for appointment to Professor of Clinical Trials and should have extensive proven experience in interacting with clinicians and academics in the development and conduct of patient-focused research.

It is anticipated that a successful clinician applicant, with the approval of the affiliated hospital(s), will undertake clinical activities to maintain their specialty competence as compatible with the requirements of HRB CRF-UCC. The University will seek to establish the appropriate approvals and arrangements with the HSE once the discipline of the preferred candidate is known.

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 College.

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

Leadership | Research | Teaching and Examining | Contributions to the University/Hospital | Clinical Duties

Leadership

1. Demonstrate academic leadership in the development of clinical research through teaching, research and scholarship, and in any other appropriate manner;
2. Mentor, support and advise junior staff as appropriate and assist in their academic career development in teaching and research and foster the research and scholarship of other individuals and groups within their academic unit and the University.

Research

3. Engage in productive research and scholarship and contribute to the advancement of knowledge within their discipline and publish their research in appropriate peer-reviewed publications, creative works or other forms of scholarship appropriate to the discipline;
4. Carry out initiatives in generating research income and assist in the co-ordination of research funding activities within the discipline department/school, as appropriate to the discipline;
5. Supervise students undertaking research projects (especially at PhD level);
6. Engage in other scholarly activities relevant to the discipline.

Teaching and Examining

7. Promote excellence in teaching and learning and encourage the application of innovative teaching and learning methodologies within the School of Medicine and within other academic units in the University, as appropriate;
8. Teach and examine on courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level and, where appropriate, adult and continuing education courses and make a distinguished personal contribution to teaching at all levels;
9. 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 sees fit to make to meet students who have individual queries;
10. Give instruction to their students and assist them in the pursuit of knowledge;
11. Hold, or assist at, all University examinations in the subjects with which they are an examiner;
12. Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students;
13. Contribute to, and take a leadership role where appropriate in, the regular evaluation of curricula, and the development of new curricular initiatives;
14. Perform a significant role in the development of postgraduate studies at UCC;
15. Lead in the maintenance of academic standards and in the development of the curriculum within their subject areas.

Contributions

16. Promote the discipline both inside and outside the University and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University and society;
17. Serve if required as head of one of the College’s academic units subject to relevant University regulations, statutes and management requirements;
18. Develop links with professional bodies and external agencies, where appropriate;
19. Contribute to the administrative duties of the discipline/department/school and to act as a member of such committees as may be required within the university;
20. Demonstrate leadership in advancing gender equality;
21. Fulfil other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned by the head of discipline/department/school;
22. 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 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.

Duties of the role of Director of CRFC-UCC

The successful appointee will

• Have overall responsibility for the running of the CRF-UCC and the direction of its staff;
• Provide the drive, vision and enthusiasm to ensure the sustained growth of the CRF-UCC and the achievement of its long term goals;
• Ensure that the activities of the HRB CRF-UCC are conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions of its funding agreements;
• Report on a quarterly basis or as required to CRF-UCC Management Board;
• Attend the CRF-UCC External Advisory Committee highlighting areas where support and guidance is required;
• Report on an annual basis or as required to HRB and/or other funders;
• Regularly review the CRF-UCC financial situation and ensure its financial sustainability;
• Identify and address all substantive challenges that limit the long term success of the CRF-UCC and escalate such issues as necessary within the University;
• Maintain an appropriate balanced portfolio in the CRF between commercial and academic clinical trials;
• Take any immediate or urgent action as needed to address emerging critical issues within the CRF-UCC;
• Attend and support quarterly meeting of COMH’s Patient Focused Research Policy Committee;
• Attend and support the Hospital Research Committees for the hospitals in the HSE South West Region.

Lead the CRF-UCC Senior Leadership Team

• Coordinate the development of the CRF-UCC’s overall Strategic and Business Plan and funding applications;
• Provide thought leadership and identify strategic initiatives to enhance the CRF-UCC;
• Develop and progress appropriate business opportunities for the CRF-UCC;
• Undertake horizon scanning, identify potential or evolving threats, and thereby contribute to the future proofing of the CRF-UCC’s activities;
• Oversee the dynamic development of individual portfolios and help prioritization development initiatives across portfolios in accordance with the CRF-UCC Strategic plan;
• Ensure that the allocation of staff and resources across portfolios and across sites is appropriate for current and anticipated future needs;
• Ensure key performance metrics are in place to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of the CRF activities. Review performance data regularly and identify opportunities for improvement and oversee their implementation;
• Meet regularly with the members of the senior leadership team, providing leadership, guidance and mentoring to ensure that issues are identified and appropriately resolved in a timely and efficient fashion;
• Conduct annual appraisal of the CRF-UCC Senior staff.

Be accountable for the high-quality compliant conduct of all activities within the CRF-UCC

• Work closely with CRF-UCC Quality and Regulatory Affairs to ensure that the work of the CRF-UCC is conducted to a high quality and to help identify and mitigate, in as far as is feasible, all associated potential risks;
• Attend and support month Quality meeting of CRF-UCC and ensure appropriate oversight of quality, monitoring and audit reports, protocol deviations, corrective and preventative action plans and change controls for the HRB CRF-UCC;
• Ensuring that work conducted within CRF-UCC complies with all required regulations and legislation and is conducted to an appropriate standard;
• Support and work closely with the UCC Clinical Research Sponsors Office.

Support development and conduct of high quality academic research within the CRF-UCC

• Work with investigators within the University and affiliated Hospital and help coordinate their support by the CRF-UCC staff in developing and submitting national and international academic grants.

Promote the CRF-UCC, Patient Focused Research and specifically Clinical Trials, both nationally and internationally

• Network with and influence academic funding agencies, regulatory authorities, and policymakers on the future direction of Clinical Research and especially of Clinical Trials within Ireland;
• Represent CRF-UCC at relevant local, national and international meeting and conferences;
• Support appropriate communications and promotion of the CRF-UCC;
• Identify resources required to build UCC’s capacity in Patient focused Research and the steps necessary to secure them;
• Highlight potential barriers to the successful and efficient conduct of Clinical Research in general and specifically Regulated Clinical Trials within UCC and its affiliated clinical partners;
• Interact with CRF-UCC varied customer segments including Pharma, CRO, Med-Tech companies, SMEs, Academic Funding Agencies, Charities, Clinical Trial Networks, Philanthropic donors, Academic Partners and Clinicians and assess their requirements and level of satisfaction with CRF-UCC services and drive the response aimed at optimizing these interactions.

Interface with the University’s and its affiliated hospitals

• Work with UCC’s corporate offices, in particular Research Administration, Office of Corporate and Legal Affairs, and Technology Transfer, and support the interactions of the University with hospital based investigators in the conduct of patient focused research and in clinical trials;
• Work closely with Research Management within the Hospital Group and individual hospitals, ensuring relevant agreements in place between the university and hospitals to support the efficient conduct of patient focused research;
• Help integrate hospital based research and clinician-researchers within the University;
• Enhance the visibility of hospital/clinician research within the University and the identity of the hospital clinician as a University affiliated Investigator;
• Support the initial setup, governance and coordination of successfully funded research awards and contracts that are conducted within the hospital environment;
• Undertake other responsibilities and duties as required by the Head of the College of Medicine and health.

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

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

1. An appropriate professional qualification in addition to a doctorate or a significant record of research and publication in a relevant discipline;
2. For consultant applicants; registrable on a relevant specialist register with the Medical Council of Ireland within 4 months of being offered the post. (Essential for consultant appointment);
3. Demonstrated expertise and extensive experience as a consultant in the relevant specialty (Essential for Consultant Appointment).

Desirable Criteria

4. Specialist qualifications in clinical trials or related areas;
5. Specialist qualification in Management or Strategic leadership.

Leadership

Essential Criteria

6. The ability to provide vision and leadership in the development of Clinical Research within the strategic frameworks of the College of Medicine and Health, the University and the HSE;
7. 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

8. International standing as a leading researcher and scholar in the relevant discipline or profession as evidenced through an outstanding contribution to its advancement through research outputs including peer reviewed publications, creative works or other appropriate forms of scholarship and a significant research funding record, as appropriate to the discipline;
9. A record of successful leadership and international recognition 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

10. Evidence of significant achievement in and commitment to excellence in research-led teaching and learning in Clinical Research, 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;
11. 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

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

General Contributions

Essential Criteria

14. Proven senior administrative experience and the capacity and willingness to act as head of an academic unit;
15. Ability to participate in and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University, the academic discipline and society at large.

Desirable Criteria

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

Other

Essential Criteria

17. Evidence of ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team;
18. Current In-depth knowledge of clinical trials best clinical practices, regulatory and legal requirements;
19. Proven ability to operationalize long term goals, to establish resource requirements and prioritize the allocation of limited resources across a range of competing projects/units;
20. Experience in the strategic planning and development of research programs across diverse clinical disciplines at multiple sites;
21. Experience in working with hospital based Clinician Investigators;
22. Demonstrated track record in:

• Creating a clear strategic vision and delivering against it effectively;
• Developing a strong team culture and provide drive and motivation to staff;
• Managing significant financial responsibility and accountability;
• Building productive relationships and powerful networks;
• Influencing colleagues and partners at all levels of seniority;
• Effective communication, negotiation, and problem solving skills;
• Delivering results across local, national and international networks;
• Appraisal and mentoring of supervised colleague.

Desirable Criteria

23. An understanding of, and empathy with, the concerns of students;
24. Overall 10 years in health related research with at least 5 years’ experience at a senior level in leading an academic research group or research centre.

The successful applicant will be required to participate in a relevant IMI/UCC Senior Leadership Development Programme (or equivalent programme) to further develop your leadership development capabilities. Please contact Staff Wellbeing & Development directly
at traininganddevelopment@ucc.ie on taking up your position to find out arrangements for forthcoming programmes.

In the appointment process for all leadership positions (including Head of Department), a requirement of appointment will be demonstrable experience of leadership in advancing gender equality. This will be included as a specific criterion in role descriptions.

Salary Information

Applications for this post

How to apply

University College Cork has retained the executive search agency Berwick Partners to support in the recruitment of this role. Informal enquiries about the position can be made in confidence to Alex Albone, Principal Consultant, email: alex.albone@berwickpartners.co.uk.
 
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon on Tuesday 29th April 2025. No late applications will be accepted.
The preferred method of application is online at www.berwickpartners.co.uk
 
If you are unable to apply online please email your application to response.manager@berwickpartners.co.uk.

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 Medicines 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 Professor Helen Whelton.

Deadline for applications

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12pm (Irish Standard Time) on Tuesday, 29 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.