Post-doctoral Researcher / Research Engineer/Research Scientist in Human Centric eXtended Reality

Vacancy ID

019882

Contract Type

Specific Purpose – Expected minimum duration 15 Months

Location

Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Athlone Campus

This post will be primarily based at the location specified above, but from time to time may require attendance at any of the TUS campuses.

Reporting to

Principal Investigator or designate

Expected Start Date

May 2024

Competition Type

Open to all suitably qualified members of the public 

A panel may be created from this competition. 

Introduction

Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) is Ireland’s third technological university and home to 15,000 students and a staff complement of approximately 2,000, full-time and part-time, across seven campuses in Athlone, Limerick, Thurles, Clonmel, and Ennis. 

Established on October 1, 2021, TUS has a strong regional focus and is a key driver of development and investment across the Midlands and Midwest. The new networked university, linked by the river Shannon, borders on almost half of Ireland's 26 counties and will provide unprecedented levels of access to higher education. 

We are committed to developing a contemporary and vibrant technological university - a higher education TU that reflects the educational and economic needs of our region and the communities we serve. The new technological university will connect knowledge creation with industry partnerships to grow and support collaboration. The technological university will be the home of academic leaders, knowledge creators and cutting-edge researchers who will positively affect people's lives now and in the future.

The Role

Role holders at this level will be experienced researchers, drawing upon knowledge gained from direct postgraduate research or equivalent. It would be usual that role holders are at early career development stage (<6 years research experience).

They may be associated with a particular project (or projects) and will contribute ideas, and/or enhancement of techniques or methodologies.  They will still be working under supervision but will be expected to take significant initiatives in their work and consult with the Principal Investigator / Project Lead (PI/PL) over the details of the project. It will be expected that the level of responsibility and independent working will increase throughout the duration of the contract.

They will be involved in administration relevant to their projects (e.g. report writing, managing other researchers and monitoring research budgets).  They will be expected to be undertaking research individually and/or collectively and to be advancing the state of knowledge and understanding within their particular area of expertise.  Role holders will be provided with academic and pastoral support within the department (including counselling on realistic career opportunities) and skills development, subject to availability of funding.

The purpose of the role is to conduct a specified programme of research under supervision of a Principal Investigator (PI) while developing skills and competencies with respect to the role and future career options.

TUS has a significant research track record eXtended Reality, Multisensory Multimedia and Quality of Experience within the Faculty of Engineering & Informatics in the midland’s campus. The team now includes more than 20 MSc/PhD students in addition to postdoctoral researchers and Faculty from Dept. of Computer & Software Engineering. We are an interdisciplinary research team regularly collaborating with domain experts from health, education, tourism, smart manufacturing, cultural and creative sectors. Researchers in TUS play key roles in the Science Foundation Ireland Adapt Centre for AI enabled Digital Content Technologies, the Confirm Centre for Smart Manufacturing as well as the Enterprise Ireland COMAND Technology Gateway.

The successful application will join the TUS team working on the Horizon Europe TRANSMIXR project which TUS are coordinating. The application will work on Human Centric XR application design, development, and evaluation in various creative and cultural sectors.

Qualifications/ Experience

Essential:

• A relevant PhD qualification

or

• A relevant level 8 honours degree and four years relevant full time research experience post award of degree
• Industrial based Research and Development in a complementary research discipline is desirable for entry into the enterprise track e.g. Research Engineering/Scientist.

Desirable

• Human Centric XR application design, development experience
• Track record of planning, organising, and executing user studies
• Experience in project management
• Experience of working on an international research project with multiple partners.
• Expertise in user experience evaluations of XR Technologies.

Competencies

• Advanced problem solving / industry focus competencies
• Ability to lead one or more projects
• Appropriate experience
• Appropriate technical competence and accomplishment
• Good communication, organisation and interpersonal skills
• Commitment to gaining practical experience working on a research project
• Academic outputs appropriate for level and point on scale

Principal Duties and responsibilities

Examples of Roles & Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

Research

• Assist in identifying and developing future research and funding initiatives
• Liaise with both internal and external stakeholders including industry, civic/civil society, NGOs and academic partners/collaborators
• Engage in appropriate training and development opportunities as required by the PI/PL
• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which they are engaged, as directed by, with the support of, and under the supervision of the PI/PL
• Engage in postgraduate student supervision
• Acquire generic and transferable skills (including project management, business skills and postgraduate mentoring/supervision), subject to availability within the TU
• May participate in limited teaching hours for own development
• Other duties as directed by line manager.

Administration / Management

• Carry out any additional duties as may be required within the general scope and level of the post
• Assist in the management / co-ordination of key aspects of the research programme (e.g. financial management, reporting, equipment management etc.).

Funding

• Contribute to the identification of external funding sources and assist in the writing of grant proposals.

Hours

35 hours per week - excluding rest breaks

Annual Leave

23 days per annum. CL 0009/2014 will apply

Salary

TUS Researcher Salary Scale Level 2A, currently €42,782 – €49,177 (6 points)

Starting pay on appointment may be dependent on funding availability and experience.

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Contact Details

For further information and informal enquiries about the position please contact Dr Niall Murray, Senior Lecturer, Dept. Computer & Software Engineering: [email protected]

Or The Human Resources Department, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest

Email: [email protected]

Additional Information

The successful candidate will benefit from:

• On the job training (i.e. training specific to the job)
• For a full list of benefits for employees working at TUS Midlands Campus please see below link:

Benefits for TUS Midlands Employees

In addition to the minimum qualifications, it may be necessary to introduce further shortlisting criteria.  Therefore, candidates may be shortlisted based on qualifications and suitable experience, based on details given on the application form.

TUS staff who wish to apply must apply via the Employee Self Service (ESS) System. Only on-line e-recruitment application forms will be accepted.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, or membership of the traveller community.

TUS is an equal opportunities employer, working towards creating and sustaining an inclusive environment which promotes equality, embraces diversity and is committed to work-life balance policies for all.

Canvassing will disqualify.

Personal Data

All personal data provided will be handled in accordance with the TUS Data Protection Policy and relevant Privacy Statements available on the website.  Enquiries in relation to this should be sent to [email protected] .