Overview

Permanent Whole-Time Post

Process and Chemical Engineering is a vibrant discipline within University College Cork’s School of Engineering and Architecture, engaging in leading research and teaching which supports and supplies graduates at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to critical industrial sectors of the Irish economy, such as the pharmachem, and food and drinks sectors. These sectors respectively make up some 64% and 7% of exports by value coming out of the Republic of Ireland (2023 figures, CSO), and are particularly strong in the Cork and Munster region. Sustainability and sustainable processing are key areas across the discipline and the School, with research aligned with: UCC Futures – Future Pharmaceuticals; UCC Futures - Food, Microbiome and Health; and UCC Futures – Sustainability.

The School is therefore pleased to announce a Lectureship in Process and Chemical Engineering, to provide a substantial research contribution to relevant UCC Futures initiatives (Future Pharmaceuticals, Food Microbiome and Health, and/or Sustainability), and to support ongoing development of teaching programmes in Process and Chemical Engineering, especially the BE(Hons) degree and the integrated ME in Process and Chemical Engineering, both fully accredited by Engineers Ireland and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).

Candidates with a doctorate in Process / Chemical Engineering or cognate discipline and clear evidence of a record of, or potential to, develop high quality teaching and research supervision in fundamentals of chemical process engineering and/or their applications to relevant industrial sectors and/or society goals are encouraged to apply. Candidates should provide evidence of their commitment, track record and plans for teaching delivery relevant to the process and chemical engineering educational programmes, and also consider how their track record and future plans for research align with at least one of the UCC Futures programmes (specifically Future Pharmaceuticals; Future Foods, Microbiome and Health; and Future Sustainability).
 
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 Jorge Oliveira, Head of School of Engineering and Architecture or Professor Edmond Byrne, Chair Professor and Head of Discipline of Process and Chemical Engineering.

For further information on the School of Engineering and Architecture please visit 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 Engineering and Architecture.

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 in Process and Chemical Engineering and apply innovative teaching and learning methodologies within the School of Engineering and Architecture 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;
4. Contribute to and take a leadership role, where appropriate, in 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 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;

Research

7. Engage in productive research and scholarship in Process and Chemical Engineering and contribute to the advancement of knowledge, participate in research activities and publish the research in appropriate peer-reviewed publications, creative works or other forms of scholarship appropriate to the discipline;
8. Develop and lead research activity in the discipline aligned with relevant UCC Futures initiative/s (Future Pharmaceuticals, Food Microbiome and Health, and/or Sustainability);
9. Supervise students undertaking research projects (especially at PhD level);
10. Undertake initiatives in generating research income as appropriate to the discipline;
11. Engage in other scholarly activities relevant to the discipline.

Contributions

12. Contribute thought leadership as an independent authoritative leading voice in Ireland and internationally, which can include significant contributions and engagement with industry, societal change and/or policy development;
13. Participate in the administrative activities of the discipline/department/school and the academic life of the University;
14. Act as a member of such committees as may be required by the University;
15. Develop links with professional bodies and external agencies where appropriate;
16. Promote the discipline both inside and outside the University and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University and society;
17. Carry out other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned by the Head of 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 have:

Qualifications | Teaching and Examining | Research | Contributions | Other

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

1. A doctorate in Process / Chemical Engineering or cognate discipline.

Teaching and Examining

Essential Criteria

2. Relevant teaching experience in Process / Chemical Engineering or close cognate discipline;
3. An ability to contribute across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes both in and outside the area of research specialisation;
4. Evidence of a commitment to excellence in research-led teaching;
5. Evidence of an understanding of and willingness to use modern teaching technologies and potential for innovative teaching and curriculum development;
6. Evidence of an ability to supervise students, communicate ideas and concepts in a teaching and learning environment.

Desirable Criteria

7. Experience of teaching students from different cultural backgrounds, including those whose first language is not English;
8. Evidence of an ability to contribute to ongoing development of relevant programmes and modules at undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing professional development levels across the discipline and school.

Research

Essential Criteria

9. A record of successful achievement and international recognition through research and scholarly activity in process / chemical engineering and/or cognate areas;
10. Evidence of consistent and continuing output of process / chemical engineering and/or cognate area research in peer reviewed publications;
11. Potential to attract funding through competitive research grants or other sources as relevant;
12. Experience of or potential for research supervision (particularly PhD students);
13. Evidence of other relevant scholarly activity, including the presentation of papers at national and international conferences and/or publication of conference papers in peer- reviewed conference proceedings;
14. Ability and willingness to collaborate with colleagues on research projects, as appropriate to the discipline;
15. Research interests aligned with the research strategy of the School and University in at least one of the UCC Futures (Future Pharmaceuticals, Food Microbiome and Health and/or Sustainability).

Desirable Criteria

16. Experience of or potential to stimulate, and participate in, multidisciplinary projects.

Contributions

Essential Criteria

17. Administrative experience or evidence of ability to contribute to academic administration;
18. Experience in or potential to participate in relevant academic and professional associations/bodies as appropriate;
19. The potential to participate in and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University, the academic discipline and society at large.

Other

Essential Criteria

20. Good communication and interpersonal skills;
21. Evidence of ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team;
22. Ability and willingness to work in a collaborative environment;
23. An understanding of, and empathy with, the concerns of students;
24. A commitment to the long term development of the discipline.

Desirable Criteria

25. An understanding of the relevance of process / chemical engineering to the continuing economic development of Ireland and the Munster region in particular.

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 Lecturer Salary Scale:

• Below the Bar: €41,685 - €71,735 (Scale B) / €43,732 - €68,260 (Scale A)
• Above the Bar: €78,401 - €101,534 (Scale B) / €74,592 - €96,455 (Scale A)

Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

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: Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to: Professor Jorge Oliveira, Head of School of Engineering and Architecture or Professor Edmond Byrne, Chair Professor and Head of Discipline of Process and Chemical Engineering.

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.