Postdoctoral Researcher – LifeLab

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following position: 

Research Centre

School of Health and Human Performance 

Post title 

Postdoctoral Researcher – LifeLab 

Level on Framework 

Level 1

Post duration

4 Year Fixed Term 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. 

Research Career Framework 

As part of this role the researcher will be required to participate in the DCU Research Career Framework.  This framework is designed to provide significant professional development opportunities to Researchers and offer the best opportunities in terms of a wider career path. 

Background & Role 

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates to join the LifeLab team. LifeLab is a co-designed health literacy intervention aiming to improve the health knowledge, choices and behaviour of Irish teenagers. The full LifeLab intervention programme consists of two visits to LifeLab on campus at DCU, along with seven lessons, and a school-based Photovoice project. We also offer a number of flexible workshops and activities under the LifeLab umbrella, placing LifeLab an innovative and transformative outreach, teaching and research programme within DCU.

As a research group, we engage in a wide variety of projects, utilising a variety of methodological approaches. This includes, amongst others, participatory work (which is at the core of LifeLab), systematic reviews, and implementation science research.

The successful candidate will join an active, ambitious, and ground- breaking research team, with huge opportunities for career development and dissemination and impact on the national and international stage.     

Principal Duties and Responsibilities 

Reporting to Dr Hannah Goss, the duties of the Postdoctoral Researcher will include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Responsibility for planning and conduction of the LifeLab research programme, including research design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination. 
• Support all elements of fieldwork associated with the programme, including managing and assisting with data collection, data management and analysis. 
• Provide support, mentoring and assistance to other LifeLab Postgraduate researchers.
• Foster and maintain effective collaboration and communication with all team members, collaborators, and key stakeholders. 
• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which he/she is engaged with the support of and under the supervision of Dr Hannah Goss. 
• Engage in appropriate training and development opportunities as required by the Principal Investigator, the School or Research Centre, or the University. 

Minimum Criteria 

• The successful applicant must hold a PhD in a related health, psychology, or social science discipline. 
• Proven ability to use data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS and NVIVO). 
• Previous experience working with children and young people.

Desirable Criteria 

• Post-doctoral research experience in health literacy, health education, or related fields. 
• Working familiarity with Implementation Science or related fields (e.g., behaviour change, process evaluation, quality improvement). 
• Experience in systematic reviews and evidence synthesis. 
• Collaborative experience within large, interdisciplinary research teams. 
• Strong research and evaluation skills in qualitative/quantitative methods. 
• Proven publication record and experience presenting at conferences. 

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and networking skills. Strong organisational and project management abilities, with effective prioritisation and problem-solving skills.

Candidates will be assessed on the following competencies: 

Discipline knowledge and Research skills – Demonstrates knowledge of a research discipline and the ability to conduct a specific programme of research within that discipline 

Understanding the Research Environment – Demonstrates an awareness of the research environment (for example funding bodies) and the ability to contribute to grant applications 

Communicating Research – Demonstrates the ability to communicate their research with their peers and the wider research community (for example presenting at conferences and publishing research in relevant journals) and the potential to teach and tutor students 

Managing & Leadership skills - Demonstrates the potential to manage a research project including the supervision of undergraduate students 

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: 

IUA Postdoctoral Researcher Salary Scale - €44,847 - €45,441  

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

Closing date: Monday, 27th January 2025

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

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

Dr Hannah Goss, School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University. 

Phone + 353 (0)1 7007461

Email: hannah.goss@dcu.ie 

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