Overview

Permanent Whole Time Post

UCC Futures - Quantum and Photonics seeks candidates for a faculty position in the area of Microelectronics for Photonics Communications to be appointed at the level of Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering, in collaboration with the Tyndall National Institute.

Candidates should have research experience and expertise to at least PhD level in Electronic Engineering or related area.  They should have a demonstrated track record of delivering innovative research outcomes at the cutting edge of microelectronics circuit design with potential application to use photonic communication systems. Candidates with circuit design and experimental circuit validation expertise are welcomed.

The successful candidate 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, she/he will develop and lead a new research programme in microelectronic circuit design for photonic communications 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.

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 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 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 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 Engineering and 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.

Teaching and Examining | Research | Contributions

Teaching and Examining

Lecturer

• 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 <insert name> 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 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.

Senior Lecturer

• Demonstrate excellence in research-led teaching and learning and apply innovative teaching and learning methodologies within the School of Engineering and Architecture, and with other research and 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;
• Supervise research projects for undergraduate and postgraduate students;
• 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;
• Perform an active role in the maintenance of academic standards in the development of the curriculum 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

Lecturer and Senior Lecturer

• 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 discipline and to the goals of UCC Futures – Quantum and Photonics.*   
  *In particular, and as appropriate, with respect to (the development of) the integration of microelectronics and photonic communications, and to fully engage with the Tyndall National Institute as part of these activities.

Contributions

Lecturer

• 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 discipline/department/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.

Senior Lecturer

• Contribute to the administrative duties of the School of Engineering and the Tyndall National Institute, as appropriate, and the academic life of the University;
• Participate as a member of such committees as may be required within the School of Engineering, the Tyndall National Institute and 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 Engineering and/or the Head of Photonics at the Tyndall National Institute;
  • 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 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.

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 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 Electronic/Electrical 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 microelectronics with photonic communications applications, appropriate to the discipline;
8. Evidence of international recognition for their scholarly / research outputs in microelectronics (Desirable (Lecturer); Essential (Senior Lecturer));
9. Experience in applying for, or the potential to attract, funding through competitive research grants or other sources as relevant, in particular in areas utilising microelectronics for photonic communications applications;
10. Experience in leading, or potential to lead, high impact electrical/electronic engineering research programmes in areas utilising microelectronic circuit design for photonic communications. Note: Leadership experience essential for at Senior Lecturer;
11. Experience of, or potential for, research supervision (particularly PhD students);
12. Evidence of other relevant scholarly activity including research supervision, examining, editing and refereeing research grant applications as appropriate for the discipline (Desirable (Lecturer); Essential (Senior Lecturer));
13. 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

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 licensing, product development or other forms of knowledge transfer;
15. 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.

Contributions

Essential Criteria

16. Evidence of participation, or potential to participate, in relevant academic and professional associations/ bodies as appropriate;
17. 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 microelectronics and photonics sectors in both in Munster and beyond;
18. Proven administrative experience or evidence of ability to undertake academic administrative responsibility within the Discipline/Department / School/College;
19. The ability to participate in and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University, the academic discipline and society at large.

Other

Essential Criteria

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

Salary Information

The current remuneration is as detailed below.  The appointment to the post of will be made at either on the Lecturer or Senior Lecturer salary Scale as outlined below:

Lecturer (Across the bar): €37,912 - €66,429 | BAR | €72,602 - €94,024

Senior Lecturer: €76,934 - €109,009

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

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 the 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 Strategic Plan. 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.