Research Associate/Postdoctoral Researcher (x2) – Data2sustain,

Data Science Institute, College of Science and Engineering

Ref. No. University of Galway 073-24

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for 2 full-time fixed-term positions as a Research Associate/Postdoctoral Researcher – Digital Business Applications (Data2sustain) with the European Digital Innovation Hub & Insight SFI Research Centre, Data Science Institute, College of Science and Engineering at the University of Galway.

These positions are available immediately to work from our Galway location until the contract end date of 28th February 2026.

Data2Sustain, a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) focuses on advancing digitalisation and data innovation for businesses and public bodies. Our funded consortium includes the region’s universities, hosted research centres, innovation gateways across ten locations and all the region’s business support agencies, led by a one-stop-shop Data2Sustain Director and Digital Leadership Group. With numerous services available, we help advance SMEs’ digital competitiveness and solutions with data-driven innovation projects, sector-relevant consultancy and pilots, business model development, ecosystem funding access, and skills and capacity building. We work to combine digital and technology expertise with domain, sector, and industry specific applications across all the expertise and networks of the universities and research and innovation capacity as well as our other partners.

Insight is the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for Data Analytics. It is one of the largest data analytics centres in Europe. It seeks to derive value from Big Data and provides innovative technology solutions for industry and society by enabling better decision-making. It supports 450 researchers across the country in areas such as the Fundamentals of Data Science, Sensing and Actuation, Scaling Algorithms, Model Building, Multi Modal Analysis, Data Engineering and Governance, Decision Making and Trustworthy AI.

Life in Galway – University of Galway

Job Description:

The successful candidates will work as a Research Associate/Postdoctoral Researcher – Digital Business Applications in the European Digital Innovation Hub, Data2Sustain. This is a role for a highly motivated problem-solver, with a creative and analytical mind, who is excited to build new solutions that will have a global impact.

  Duties:

• Enable Irish enterprises across various sectors to integrate digital solutions into their core business models;
• Extend digital competencies (e.g., data analytics, artificial intelligence, interoperability/knowledge graphs, high performance and cloud computing, Internet of Things, and cybersecurity) and advanced skills in digital technologies to clients, especially Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Public Service Organisations (PSOs).
• Work with a multidisciplinary team in the consortium to engage with and support clients implement proof-of-concepts and solutions to transform their business, strengthen their competitive position, and contribute proposals to the resolution of priority problems.
• Develop soft prototypes and demonstration systems based on functional requirements from SMEs and PSOs.
• Operate across a variety of regional Smart Specialisation Strategy priority areas: Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering; Audio Visual/Creative; Marine and Blue Economy; Renewable Energy, Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainability; Agri Food and AgTech; ICT and ICT Services; and Life Sciences, MedTech and Medical Devices.
• Work as the technology liaison on projects in the various sectors with SMEs, startups and public sector organisations.
• Gather, evaluate and clearly document business and digital solution requirements from users and customers of Data2Sustain and the University of Galway.
• Work hands-on in the implementation of requirements into software solutions and digital business applications with other Data2Sustain and University of Galway staff and technologists.
• Identify technical and project risks and issues that may arise during design, development, testing, delivery and operation.
• Regularly provide progress reports to senior management and stakeholders.
• Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post

Qualifications/Skills required:

Essential Requirements:

• In a discipline relevant to digital technologies:
  • A Primary Degree (level 8) with 4 years full-time relevant research after primary degree,

OR

• A PhD.

• Problem analysis with good understanding of key digital technologies, particularly data analytics, AI, data science, interoperability/knowledge graphs, IoT, cloud computing, HPC.
• Strong programming skills in Java and/or at least one other programming language (C, C++, Python, Scala)
• Preparing requirements specification to define functional and non-functional requirements.
• Demonstrate excellent documentation and reporting.

Desirable Requirements:

• Customer engagement (client-facing) capabilities, communication skills with stakeholders at technical and executive levels.
• Good presentation skills in dealing with personnel from industry, agencies, and internal stakeholders. Ability to support seminars, webinars and workshops with Clients.
• Ability and experience to independently research new sectors, business opportunities and applications of digital and data/AI analytics technologies in multiple industry domains, in collaboration with colleagues across the wider University of Galway and Data2Sustain consortium partners.
• Understanding of service costing and financial reporting.
• Exposure to Agile, PRINCE2 or similar (project) management frameworks.
• Knowledge of key players, products and programmes (national and international) related to AI, data, cybersecurity, HPC, IoT, cloud, etc.

Salary: Research Associate/Postdoctoral Researcher salary scale €42,782 – €54,965 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.

The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.

Research Salary Scales – University of Galway).

Start date: Two positions are available immediately.

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia.  Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment – see HERE for further information.

Further information on research and working at University of Galway is available on Research at University of Galway

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

Informal enquiries concerning this post, may be directed to Professor John Breslin, john.breslin@universityofgalway.ie

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Professor John Breslin, john.breslin@universityofgalway.ie

Please put reference number University of Galway 073-24 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm (Irish Time) 29th March 2024

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.

 University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment