Research Engagement Officer
Tyndall National Institute is an international leader in semiconductors, photonics and deep-tech research and innovation. As a leading collaborative European research institute, Tyndall is a key actor and hosting partner in the delivery of the ‘Chips for Europe Initiative’ (EU Chips Act).
Tyndall is Ireland’s leading research and innovation organisation and it is the national focal point for excellence in deep-tech research, development and graduate training at the convergence of nanotechnology, microelectronics, photonics, electronics and AI. Tyndall is recognised as an international research leader in semiconductor, chip and digital technologies, particularly as applied to the fields of Information & Communications, Health & Life Sciences, Agritech & Food Security, Energy and Climate Mitigation, emerging fields such as quantum, and novel computing paradigms.
The Institute’s key objective is to see frontier research activities having a significant impact on economic development and societal challenges in Ireland, Europe and beyond. Central to Tyndall’s mission is delivering economic impact through research excellence in partnership with industry and academia. With an annual turnover of more than €50m, the Institute has a community of over 600 researchers, engineers, support staff, postgraduate students, interns and industry researchers-in-residence.
With significant committed Irish government support, Tyndall will grow to be 1,000 people by 2030, with approximately 750 researchers, including 250 PhD students. A new 17,000 m2 research building is under development adjacent to the Cork headquarters and there are developing plans to expand Tyndall’s existing Dublin research labs and to establish other research sites within Ireland.
Tyndall’s expansion is also supported by recent national and EU funding wins for significant (M€10’s) additional research equipment across a range of areas such as semiconductor processing, microscopy, quantum technologies, heterogeneous integration, ultra-high speed optical communications and RF through THz characterisation.
Key to the success of Tyndall is its outreach programme with the community, bridging science to the public, engaging in science education, citizen science, engaged communities, policymakers amongst others. Hence, the successful candidate will co-ordinate, organise and participate in a wide range of activities locally, nationally and internationally, working together with Tyndall students and staff, Research Ireland staff based in Tyndall and external partners. The role will require engagement with a variety of stakeholders (researchers, science communicators, schools, general public, policy makers etc) using a variety of media.
Please note that this role is available to start immediately and that in line with statutory requirements for working with children and vulnerable persons, a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau will be required prior to appointment.
Reporting to the Head of Graduate Studies and Education & Public Engagement, the successful candidate will:
Key Responsibilities
Ensure the use of Logic models to define and implement engagement programmes of strategic importance to Tyndall.
Plan, develop and implement public engagement, engaged research, outreach programmes and activities that are informative, engaging, fun and, where relevant, curriculum focused.
Work along with Education & Public Engagement Officers, Engaged Research Officers or similar roles defined by Research Ireland funded centres, Technology Centres, and other engagement and communications staff based in Tyndall.
Engage and motivate Tyndall researchers, from Principal Investigators to PhD students, to actively participate in the development and delivery of planned activities.
Keep records and defined key impact indicators of the public engagement and outreach activities that staff and students undertake throughout the year.
Evaluate and report the impact of…