Overview

Permanent Whole-time Post

UCC wishes to make a permanent professorial appointment within the School of Mathematical Sciences, to the Boole Chair of Mathematics. The Boole Chair of Mathematics will play a pivotal leadership role in the development of Mathematics in the School and across the University. This leadership role includes: building research capacity in Mathematics and maximising the opportunities and potential for Mathematics research within the School and University; supporting the School’s responsibilities for delivery of BSc and MSc Programmes; growing enrolment to our PhD program; and embedding Mathematical research in the various Thematic Areas within University College Cork's Futures research initiative, with UCC Futures - Quantum and Photonics being an immediate priority. Applicants should have an international standing as a leading researcher and scholar in Mathematics as evidenced by an established track record of peer reviewed publications in top-tier Mathematics journals and external research funding. Reporting to the Head of School of Mathematical Sciences, the appointee will have relevant teaching and research experience enabling them to provide leadership in the discipline.

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 Dr. Kevin Hayes (kevin.hayes@ucc.ie), Head of School of Mathematical Sciences. For further information on the School of Mathematical Sciences please visit the school website.

This position is being filled as part of UCC Futures - Quantum and Photonics.

What is UCC Futures – Quantum and Photonics?

The first quantum revolution of the 20th century charted the development of semiconductors, transistors, lasers and, from there, computers and the internet. The accelerating second quantum revolution will transform our lives as dramatically as these first-generation technologies and will solve many of the most profound challenges of the future.

UCC Futures - Quantum & Photonics is an innovative multidisciplinary team, building on the powerful synergies of our globally renowned quantum and photonics research in the Schools of Physics, Engineering and Architecture, and Mathematical Sciences, and the Tyndall National Institute. We are pushing the limits of synergistic quantum and photonic research – a key element of this second quantum revolution. 

UCC Futures - Quantum & Photonics will drive a generational change across multiple sectors, including fundamental quantum physics, quantum computing, data transfer, quantum metrology, sensing, quantum matter, healthcare, environment, energy and communications to deliver transformational progress, enhancing daily living while generating novel and disruptive solutions to some of the most important global issues of our time.

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 Mathematical Sciences.

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.

Leadership | Research | Teaching & Examining | Contributions

Leadership

• Demonstrate academic leadership in the development of Mathematics through teaching, research and scholarship, and in any other appropriate manner;
• 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

• 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 of Mathematics;
• Carry out initiatives in generating external research income and assist in the co-ordination of research funding activities within the School of Mathematical Sciences;
• Supervise students undertaking research projects at undergraduate, MSc and PhD levels;
• Engage in other scholarly activities relevant to the discipline of Mathematics.

Teaching & Examining

• Promote excellence in teaching and learning and encourage the application of innovative teaching and learning methodologies within the School of Mathematical Sciences 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 distinguished personal 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;
• Lead in the maintenance of academic standards and in the development of the curriculum within their subject areas;
  • to 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 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.

Contributions

• Promote the discipline of Mathematics 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;
• Develop links with professional bodies and external agencies, where appropriate;
• 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;
• Fulfil other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned by the head of discipline/department/school;
• 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 School  or other academic unit;
  • if a member of the Academic Council, to attend its meetings;
  • to serve upon all the committees to which they 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.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will be expected to have:

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

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

1. A doctorate in Mathematics, appropriate professional qualification or a significant record of research and publication in Mathematics.

Leadership

Essential Criteria

2. The ability to provide vision and leadership in the development of Mathematics within the strategic frameworks of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science, and the University;
3. 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

4. International standing as a world-leading researcher and scholar in Mathematics as evidenced by an established track record of peer reviewed publications in top-tier Mathematics journals;
5. A record of successful leadership and international recognition in Mathematical research and scholarly activity, as evidenced by conference presentations, international research collaboration, research supervision, examining, editing and refereeing;
6. A significant track record of securing competitive research funding as appropriate to the discipline of Mathematics.

Teaching and Examining

Essential Criteria

7. Evidence of significant achievement in and commitment to excellence in research-led teaching and learning in mathematics at undergraduate and postgraduate level and a willingness to both contribute to and lead in the development of the teaching programmes offered by the discipline of Mathematics and the School of Mathematical Sciences generally;
8. The ability and enthusiasm to teach, inspire and supervise students, to communicate ideas and concepts in an engaging manner and, where the opportunity has existed, to develop and lead postgraduate supervision to doctorate level;
9. Evidence of a contribution to innovation in teaching and in curriculum or programme development, review and evaluation.

Desirable Criteria

10. The capacity and willingness to grow the taught MSc programmes in the discipline, including the MSc in Financial and Computational Mathematics, and in the School;
11. A familiarity with and willingness to use modern teaching technologies.

Contributions

Essential Criteria

12. The capacity and willingness to act as Head of Discipline and as Head of School and, where the opportunity has existed, evidence of senior administrative experience;
13. The 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 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.

As the university continues to expand and evolve, it is likely that flexibility in regard to the allocation of specific duties will be necessary.  Accordingly, the list of duties specified above is not intended to be exclusive or restrictive; duties may be added or withdrawn but any such alteration will take place after consultation with the appointee.

Salary Information

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 - Quantum and Photonics 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 - Quantum and Photonics initiative.

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

• Publications
• Research Interests
• 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.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr. Kevin Hayes (kevin.hayes@ucc.ie), Head of School of Mathematical Sciences. For further information on the School of Mathematical Sciences please visit the school website.

Deadline for applications

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12pm (Irish Standard Time) on Tuesday, 09 January 2024. 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.