Overview

Permanent Whole-time Post

UCC wishes to recruit a Professor in Integrated Photonic Devices and Systems. This post is a joint appointment between the School of Physics and Tyndall National Institute.

We seek a candidate with a distinguished record of research, innovation and leadership in the area of integrated photonic devices and systems. This is an experimental post. The candidate should also have a proven track record of effective teaching and a demonstrated ability to collaborate with industry. The successful candidate will play a key role leading and connecting photonics activities in the School of Physics and the Tyndall National Institute, including the SFI Centre for Photonics (IPIC). They will have the capacity to provide strong academic leadership as well as the skills to develop new initiatives for the promotion and co-ordination of teaching and research across the School of Physics and the Tyndall National Institute.

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 Paul Townsend (paul.townsend@tyndall.ie),Head of the Photonics Centre, Tyndall National Institute, and Director of IPIC.
• Professor Frank Peters (f.peters@ucc.ie), Professor in Photonics, UCC, and IPIC Photonics Centre, Tyndall National Institute.
• Professor Paul Callanan, (paulc@ucc.ie), Head of Department of Physics.

For further information about the School of Physics, Tyndall National Institute or the School of Engineering, please visit the Physics, 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 Physics and the Head of Photonics within the Tyndall National Institute. 

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 Physics in UCC, including in the Tyndall National Institute, in particular in the areas pertaining to integrated photonic devices and systems, and in the priorities of UCC Futures - Quantum and Photonics more generally, through teaching, research and scholarship, and in any other appropriate manner including through industry interaction;
• 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 his/her discipline and publish his/her research in appropriate peer-reviewed publications, creative works or other forms of scholarship appropriate to the discipline;
• Carry out initiatives in generating research income and assist in the co-ordination of research funding activities within the Tyndall National Institute and the School of Physics, as appropriate to the discipline;
• Supervise students undertaking research projects (especially at PhD level);
• Engage in other scholarly activities relevant to the discipline.

Teaching & Examining

• Promote excellence in teaching and learning and encourage the application of innovative teaching and learning methodologies within the School of Physics and the Tyndall National Institute, 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 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 within the School of Physics and the Tyndall National Institute 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 the School of Physics and/or The Head of Photonics within the Tyndall National Institute;
• 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 Physics, or in a cognate area.

Leadership

Essential Criteria

2. The ability to provide vision and leadership in the development of photonic devices and systems, in the context of the synergistic research aims of UCC Futures – Quantum and Photonics, within the strategic frameworks of the Tyndall National Institute and the School of Physics, College of Science, Engineering and Food Science, the University and in any other appropriate manner including through industry interaction;
3. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills commensurate with leading and supporting a large research team, and team of committed academic and administrative colleagues together with the demonstrated ability and willingness to work in a collaborative environment, including with industry partners.

Research

Essential Criteria

4. International standing as a leading researcher and scholar in integrated photonic devices and systems, as evidenced through an outstanding contribution to its advancement through research outputs including peer reviewed publications, creative works, international awards or other appropriate forms of scholarship;
5. A track record of substantive, internationally recognised research outputs in the development and application of integrated photonic devices and systems;
6. A significant research funding record in the area of integrated photonic devices and systems;
7. A record of successful leadership and international recognition through research and scholarly activity within integrated photonic devices and systems, including research supervision, examining, editing and refereeing, as appropriate for the discipline.

Desirable Criteria

8. Evidence of collaboration with industry leading to joint research outputs such as publications or patents and/or the successful generation of industry funding for research;
9. Evidence of successful commercialisation of research outputs through significant contributions to the creation of new intellectual property, spin-out companies, technology licencing, product development or other forms of knowledge transfer.

Teaching and Examining

Essential Criteria

10. Evidence of significant achievement in and commitment to excellence in research-led teaching and learning in general physics and specialist areas related to photonics, at undergraduate and postgraduate level and a willingness to both contribute to and lead in the development of the teaching programmes offered by the School of Physics;
11. Evidence of a contribution to innovation in teaching and in curriculum or programme development, review and evaluation;
12. The ability to teach, inspire and supervise students, communicate ideas and concepts in a teaching and learning environment and to develop and lead postgraduate supervision to doctorate level;
13. A familiarity with and willingness to use modern teaching technologies.

Contributions

Essential Criteria

14. Proven senior administrative, organisational and managerial experience in a research or academic leadership position, or equivalent;
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. An understanding of, and empathy with, the concerns of students;
18. Evidence of ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team;
19. 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. 

• Contact:

  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 Frank Peters (f.peters@ucc.ie), Professor in Photonics, UCC, and IPIC Photonics Centre, Tyndall National Institute.
  • Professor Paul Callanan, (paulc@ucc.ie), Head of Department of Physics.

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

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.