Post Status: Specific Purpose Contract – Full-time 

Research Group / Department / School: School of Natural Sciences, Discipline of Botany, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin

Location: Botany Building, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland 

Reports to: Dr Richard Nair 

Salary: Appointment will be made on the RI Research Assistant pay scale at a point in line with Government Pay Policy appointment will be made no higher than point 7 [€38,174 per annum gross], and will proceed with advancement 

Hours of Work: Full Time

Closing Date: until filled

Post Summary 

This post is a research assistant role in the Plant-Soil Biogeochemistry group at Trinity College Dublin (Botany Discipline). The holder will primarily contribute to a project about understanding the controls of soil respiration – the release of climate-warming CO2 from soil systems via its component sources such as roots and microbes. You will perform a mix of field, lab, and engineering tasks and support activity in our interdisciplinary working group. We do not expect applicants to necessarily fill all these competencies at onset but be able to grow into them through the role. 

We have developed custom-built ‘minirhizotron’ root imaging instruments to image roots in situ. This role will work with these instruments, adapt them for new experimental set ups, and run them in ecosystem experiments and support fieldwork to validate the data from these instruments with classical ecological / soil science techniques. The role includes building, assembling, and maintaining instruments based on existing designs. The successful candidate will follow protocols and work closely with colleagues to deploy and troubleshoot sensor systems in field conditions. Prior engineering or electronics experience is not necessarily required, although technical curiosity and willingness to learn are highly valued. 

Field sites are in Ireland, although there may be potential for additional field work abroad in the UK and EU. The role may include contributing to the wider dissemination of the technology to other users, potentially through early-stage commercial development or artistic and public outreach collaborations. The successful candidate will be embedded in a dynamic and interdisciplinary project team, including scientists at different career stages. The exact tasks of the role may change during the project.

Person Specification 

Qualifications 

BSc or MSc in a field relevant to the project (e.g. engineering, applied plant sciences, or a closely related discipline)

Applications are invited for a permanent post of a Professor/Full Professor and Head of School within UCD School of Computer Science. University College Dublin invites applications for the position of Professor / Full Professor and Head of School of Computer Science from interested individuals with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. This is a permanent full-time leadership post, and the successful candidate will grow the teaching, research and international engagement of the School. They will not only shape and contribute to the long-term future and success of the UCD School of Computer Science, but they will also lead large-scale initiatives, both nationally and internationally, in order to advance the strategic vision of the university. If you have an ability to collaboratively lead a dynamic School, foster engagement and strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, a sharp budgeting and planning acumen, and a strong passion for driving forward the disciplines within computer science, we encourage you to apply for this position. Reporting directly to the Principal of the College of Science, the Head of School is the chief academic and administrative officer for the School of Computer Science. The Head of School is responsible for administering the School's undergraduate and graduate programmes, developing and implementing strategies to enhance academic innovation and quality, recruiting students and members of the faculty and staff, and managing organisational and financial structures that promote excellence in teaching, research and public service. 95 Professor Salary scale: €101,446 - €135,597 per annum Or 95 Full Professor Salary scale: €140,068 - €177,079 per annum Appointment will be made on scale and in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines Closing date: 12:00 noon (local Irish time) on the 10th of April 2025. Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 12:00 noon (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications. UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.

Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/