Overview

Permanent Whole Time Post

One of the key societal impact sectors targeted by UCC Futures – Quantum and Photonics is future health and wellbeing. To develop this strength we seek candidates for a faculty position in the area of Biophotonic Engineering to be appointed at the level of Lecturer in the School of Engineering, in collaboration with the Tyndall National Institute.

Applications are welcomed from candidates who satisfy the following profile:

Candidates should have research experience and expertise to at least PhD level.

The successful candidate for this post will have demonstrated a track record of leading-edge contributions in biophotonics and biomedical research. Example potential research areas include imaging and sensing systems for surgical guidance, tissue imaging and wearable diagnostic systems for health monitoring. A particular goal will be to stimulate and guide the development of new generations of integrated photonic biomedical device solutions and to pursue their validation through collaborations with clinicians and industrial developers. The successful candidate will play a key role leading and connecting biophotonics-related activities in the School of Engineering and the Tyndall National Institute, including the SFI Centre for Photonics (IPIC), and in the delivery of high quality engineering education to undergraduate and graduate students within the context of a broader biomedical engineering/electronics theme.

The appointee will have a strong track record of delivering innovative research outcomes at the cutting edge of their field. They will have demonstrated ability to develop exciting research ideas and lead independent research that is aligned with the ambitions of UCC Futures – Quantum and Photonics.

In particular, the successful candidate will develop and lead a new research programme in biophotonic engineering that has clear potential for collaboration and synergy with existing groups in the Tyndall National Institute and the School of Engineering. Potential for collaboration with industrial partners is also desirable. Candidates with biophotonics research expertise are welcomed, particularly in relation to the development and application of integrated photonics in the biomedical field.

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:

• Professor Paul Townsend (paul.townsend@tyndall.ie), Head of the Photonics Centre, Tyndall National Institute, and Director of IPIC.
• Professor Peter Parbrook (p.parbrook@ucc.ie), Professor of III-Nitride Materials and Head of Discipline in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, UCC, Head of Group, Tyndall National Institute and Principal Investigator, IPIC.

For further information about the Tyndall National Institute or the School of Engineering, please visit the Tyndall or Engineering websites.

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 Engineering and the Head of Photonics in the Tyndall National Institute, for Tyndall-based research activities.

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

• Contribute to and assist in the delivery of research led teaching, assessment and examining on courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level and where appropriate adult and continuing education courses;
• Supervise research projects for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes;
• Undertake the development and regular evaluation of modules with reference to content, delivery and assessment;
• Participate in the development of new curricular initiatives;
• Demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning and apply innovative teaching and learning methodologies within the School of Engineering and within other academic units in the University, as appropriate;
• Contribute towards the maintenance of academic standards within their discipline;
  • 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.

Research

• Engage in productive research and scholarship 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;
• Supervise postgraduate research students (particularly PhD students);
• Undertake initiatives in generating research income as appropriate to the discipline;
• Engage in other scholarly activities relevant to the research discipline*. *In particular, and as appropriate, with respect to (the development of) Biophotonics within Biomedical Electronics/Engineering, and to fully engage with the Tyndall National Institute as part of these activities.

Contributions

• Participate in the administrative activities of the department/school and the academic life of the College and University;
• Act as a member of such committees as may be required by the University;
• Develop links with professional bodies and external agencies, where appropriate;
•  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 School/Discipline/Tyndall Centre;
  • 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 in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, or a cognate area.

Teaching and Examining

Essential Criteria

2. Relevant teaching experience or evidence of teaching potential;
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 teach, inspire and supervise students, communicate ideas and concepts in a teaching and learning environment.

Research

Essential Criteria

7. Evidence of appropriate research achievement as indicated by published work and other research outputs, including in the cognate area of biophotonics, appropriate to the discipline;
8. Experience in applying for, or the potential to attract, funding through competitive research grants or other sources as relevant, in particular in areas utilising photonics for biomedical applications;
9. Experience in leading, or potential to lead, high impact electrical/electronic engineering research programmes in areas utilising photonics for biomedical applications;
10. Experience of or potential for research supervision (particularly PhD students);
11. Ability and willingness to collaborate with colleagues on research projects, as appropriate to the mission and ambitions of UCC Futures – Quantum and Photonics, and the broader context of the School of Engineering, and the Tyndall National Institute.

Desirable Criteria

12. Evidence of other relevant scholarly activity including research supervision, examining, editing and refereeing research grant applications as appropriate for the discipline;
13. Ability and willingness to collaborate with industry leading to joint research outputs such as publications or patents and/or the successful generation of industry funding for research;
14. Ability, or demonstrated willingness, to pursue the commercialisation of research outputs through contributions to the creation of new intellectual property, spin-out companies, technology licencing, product development or other forms of knowledge transfer.

Contributions

Essential Criteria

15. Administrative experience or evidence of ability to contribute to academic administration;
16. Potential and willingness to build on existing local industry connections, and commitment to  help progress the further development of collaborative links (research and other) with the biomedical sector in both in Munster and beyond;
17. Experience in or potential to participate in relevant academic and professional associations/bodies as appropriate;
18. 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

19. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills commensurate with working alongside a team of committed academic, research and administrative colleagues;
20. Evidence of ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team;
21. Ability and willingness to work in a collaborative environment;
22. An understanding of, and empathy with, the concerns of students;
23. A commitment to the long term development of the discipline.

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

Salary Information

The current remuneration is as detailed below. The appointment to the post of Lecturer will be made across the bar.

€37,912 - €66,429 | BAR | €72,602 - €94,024

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
• 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.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to:

• Professor Paul Townsend (paul.townsend@tyndall.ie), Head of the Photonics Centre, Tyndall National Institute, and Director of IPIC.
• Professor Peter Parbrook (p.parbrook@ucc.ie), Professor of III-Nitride Materials and Head of Discipline in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, UCC, Head of Group, Tyndall National Institute and Principal Investigator, IPIC.

For further information about the Tyndall National Institute or the School of Engineering, please visit the Tyndall or Engineering websites.

Deadline for applications

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12pm (Irish Local 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.