Technical/Senior Technical Officer

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following position

Technical/Senior Technical Officer 

School of Psychology

Faculty of Science and Health 

5 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.

Overview of the department 

The School of Psychology is an ambitious and research-intensive School in the Faculty of Science and Health. Established in 2019, DCU’s School of Psychology is composed of experienced and dedicated staff with leading expertise in a broad range of areas within the field of psychology. The School brings together our flagship BSc in Psychology, which has been running since 2010, the new BSc in Psychology and Mathematics and BSc in Psychology and Disruptive Technologies, a distance education level 8 psychology programme, our suite of postgraduate courses including the MSc Psychology (Conversion) and the MSc Psychology and Wellbeing, and a vibrant PhD community. The School continues to build on our longstanding research activity and collaborations, and its thriving community engagement. We are student-centred, research-intensive, globally engaged, collaborative and inclusive. It offers an innovative and exciting environment in which to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in psychology and to undertake cutting-edge research.

Role Profile

The successful candidate will manage technical resources within the School, and provide comprehensive technical support to staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students in the areas of research, teaching and learning, and administration, including committee membership for operational and strategic planning within the School and Faculty. They will report to the Head of School.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities attaching to the post include but are not restricted to the following:

Technical skills

• Research and enable the adoption of new research and teaching methods and technologies within the School
• Advise on and provide technical support in specialised hardware and software such as, virtual reality, eye tracking technology, EEG technology, and Qualtrics for psychology research
• Support of new and existing audio-visual and online learning facilities within the School
• Develop and implement software and technical solutions in support of taught programmes 
• Implement sustainability measures within the teaching and laboratory environment.

Training and development

• Support staff in the development and adoption of innovative learning technologies in particular those for online learning 
• Provide staff and students with advice, training, and support on a range of software packages
• Assist staff and students with the development and carrying out of experiments, as required

Resource management and planning

• Undertake the installation, maintenance and updating of hardware and software, and the commissioning of new equipment, in keeping with the teaching and research needs of the School
• Manage psychology laboratory space, equipment and other resources
• Ensure computer and other laboratories and skills areas are appropriately maintained
• Collate operations manuals and training materials, prepare standard operating procedures and ensure documentation is available for all equipment and accessories
• Order and take delivery of equipment and materials, and maintain appropriate records in relation to same
• Liaise closely with relevant units in the University including Digital Technology Solutions and the Data Protection Unit, and other central units within the University, as appropriate

Team work

• Work closely with technical, professional, academic and research staff within the School
• Undertake any other duties as assigned by the Head of School or nominee

Qualifications and Experience 

Applicants must hold an Honours Degree in a relevant area (NFQ Level 8). Applicants to be considered at Senior Technical Officer require a Masters Degree (NFQ level 9) qualification or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline and post qualification experience in a relevant environment and at an appropriate level.

In addition, applicants should:

• Have a track record of working independently but also demonstrate their ability to work as part of a team. 
• Be highly IT literate and have experience in IT support provision. 
• Possess the relevant research and/or technical skills to assist with the School’s research and teaching activities.
• Have expertise in a range of research techniques and applications, consistent with the School’s research strengths.
• Have demonstrable knowledge of current and emerging scientific technologies and their implementation and integration into psychology teaching and research.
• Possess excellent Interactive verbal and written communication skills with experience of working, collaborating and establishing credibility and relationships at all levels.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in educational technology including online learning environments, the design and production of multimedia artifacts for educational purposes is highly desirable. 
• Familiarity with software used for psychological research
• Experience of AV support provision and/or virtual learning environments would be advantageous.
• Experience of working in a research environment.
• Experience of implementing and monitoring Health and Safety measures.
• Experience working with high-end research equipment.
• Experience of budget management and procurement.
• Relevant experience/expertise in a similar role in an educational setting or industry.
• Preferably have a minimum of four years’ relevant experience

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: Technical/Senior Technical Officer - €40,828.00 - €71,224.00 

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

Closing date: Tuesday, 20th May 2025

Additional Information

Please note this role does not meet criteria for a Critical Skills permit as stipulated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment.

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 benefits, please visit Why work at DCU? 

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

Dr Sinéad Smyth, Head of School, School of Psychology, Dublin City University. 

Phone + 353 (0)1 7007422 Email: sinead.smyth@dcu.ie

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