Assistant Professor in Inclusive and Special Education

Assistant Professor in Inclusive and Special Education

School of Inclusive and Special Education

DCU Institute of Education

Permanent Contract

Dublin City University

Dublin City University (DCU) is a leading innovative European University, proud to be one of the world’s leading Young Universities. DCU is known as Ireland’s University of Impact, with a mission to ‘transform lives and societies’ and focuses on addressing global challenges in collaboration with key national and international partners and stakeholders. 

DCU has over 20,000 students in five faculties spread across three academic campuses in the Glasnevin-Drumcondra area of North Dublin. Thanks to its innovative approach to teaching and learning, the University offers a ‘transformative student experience’ that helps to develop highly sought-after graduates. DCU is currently No. 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employment Rate, and for graduate income (CSO). 

DCU is a research-intensive University and is home to a number of SFI-funded Research Centres. The University participates in a range of European and international research partnerships. DCU is also the leading Irish university in the area of technology transfer as reflected by licensing of intellectual property.

As a ‘People First’ institution, DCU is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - a University that helps staff and students to thrive. The University is a leader in terms of its work to increase access to education, and is placed in the world’s Top 10 for reducing inequalities in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

Overview of the department 

The School of Inclusive and Special Education is the first and only such school in an Irish university. It has a critical mass of expertise in areas of inclusive education and special education and is committed to supporting the rights of all children and young people to an appropriate education and to learning for all.  The School includes a vibrant and dynamic community of educational researchers committed to conducting and sharing internationally significant research that will develop understanding of pedagogy to support the inclusion of all learners in education. Many of the academics in the school are members of the recently established DCU Centre for Inclusive Pedagogy. The School offers a full suite of post-graduate programmes from Certificate to Doctoral level in face-to-face, blended and online formats. In addition, staff contribute throughout the Institute to initial teacher education programmes and to other postgraduate programmes.

Role Profile

The School of Inclusive and Special Education is seeking to recruit an Assistant Professor to work collaboratively with members of the School and the Institute of Education. They will make a substantial contribution to the design, development, and management of present and future initiatives addressing the needs of learners with additional/special educational needs with a particular focus on learners in post-primary education.  Continuing the School’s historic engagement in the development of policy in Ireland in the area of inclusive and special education, the appointee will be expected to participate in research and policy networks and engage with key system stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not restricted to, the following:

Teaching and Learning 

The successful candidate will be required to contribute significantly to course development, teaching, assessment and administration across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate teacher education programmes both on campus and online. Part of this work will include research supervision at doctoral level, practicum visits and assisting with evaluative reports. They will also be expected to contribute to the wider work of the DCU Institute of Education, particularly in the provision of continuing professional development in inclusive and special education, and other areas of education as appropriate.  

Research and Scholarship 

The successful candidate will be dedicated to high-quality impactful research and publication in inclusive and special education on a personal and collaborative basis. They will contribute to the scholarship and intellectual life of the University by conducting and publishing research which will enhance its reputation as a research-led teaching institution and which will make a significant contribution to the research reputation of the DCU Institute of Education. Applications for competitive grants, as collaborators or as principal investigators, will be expected. 

Service and Contribution to the University and Society 

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the overall strategy of Dublin City University through participation in University-wide initiatives. Academics are expected to participate in school and university meetings, meetings related to programmes and to represent the School in marketing and other public events and in the recruitment of students. The appointee will also be expected to be active in the organisation of seminars and conferences and in developing relationships with stakeholders across the University and in the education sector more generally. 

Qualifications and Experience  

Essential

• Primary degree (NFQ Level 8) in a relevant area and a doctoral qualification related to Inclusive and Special Education
• At least three years of relevant experience in an educational setting, ideally in post-primary education 
• Knowledge of the Irish education system and policy relevant to inclusive and special education
• An emerging or established track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Previous experience of in-career development work with teachers of students with additional/special educational needs
• Experience of working with learners with additional/special educational needs
• Strong social and teamwork skills, excellent administrative and organisation skills,
• An established profile in the ISE sector

Essential Training 

The postholder will be required to undertake the following essential compliance training: Orientation, Health & Safety, Data Protection (GDPR) and all Cyber Security Awareness Training.  Other training may need to be undertaken when required. 

Salary Scale:

Assistant Professor (Above Bar): €63,311 - €101,461 

Appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and in line with current Government pay policy

Closing date: Monday, 12th May 2025

Remote Working Policy

From the 1st of November 2024, DCU will operate its newly agreed Remote Working Policy. Employees may be approved for up to 2 days of remote working per week (or an appropriate pro rata amount for those part time). Any remote working arrangement will be reflective of the predominant on-campus working environment and the core University value of 'Student Focused'. Employees will be based on campus for the majority of their working week to ensure a sustained on campus engagement and experience. The terms of the remote working policy will apply.

For more information on DCU and our benefits, please visit Why work at DCU? 

Informal Enquiries in relation to this role should be directed to:

Dr Aoife Brennan, School of Inclusive and Special Education, Dublin City University. 

Phone: +353 (0)1-7009061 Email: aoife.brennan@dcu.ie 

Please do not send applications to this email address, instead apply as described below.