Professor (Scale 2) in Biochemistry and Cell Biology (2 positions)

UCC School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology

NIBRT

Vacancy Summary

Made possible through partnership with The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology wishes to appoint two academic leaders with an international research profile in the broad area of biopharmaceutical manufacturing in order to further strengthen its reputation and enhance its impact across the academic and biopharmaceutical communities nationally and internationally. The appointed candidate(s) will fulfil these goals through an initial 5-year joint appointment between UCC and NIBRT. The joint appointment will enable the successful candidate to benefit from the world class environment, resources and infrastructures presented by both NIBRT and UCC Futures through collaborative industry-focused research, teaching, grant capture and the attraction of PhD students. Each post will be hosted at UCC, with a joint appointment at NIBRT.

 

Position Available

Professor (Scale 2) in Biochemistry and Cell Biology (2 positions)

*joint appointment NIBRT Principal Investigator under UCC-NIBRT partnership agreement

Location

Cork/Dublin

Department

UCC School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology

NIBRT

Hiring Manager

Contract Type

5-year joint appointment between UCC and NIBRT.

Application Date

Candidates should apply, in confidence, via UCC  before 12pm (Irish Standard Time) on Thursday, 22 June 2023. No late applications will be accepted.

Interview Dates

After Thursday, 22 June 2023

Salary & Benefits

The appointment to the post of Professor (Scale 2) will be made on the following scale: €111,794 – €131,296 (Scale B) / €106,204 – €124,733 (Scale A).

 Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

Role Purpose

Made possible through partnership with The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology wishes to appoint two academic leaders with an international research profile in the broad area of biopharmaceutical manufacturing in order to further strengthen its reputation and enhance its impact across the academic and biopharmaceutical communities nationally and internationally. The appointed candidate(s) will fulfil these goals through an initial 5-year joint appointment between UCC and NIBRT. The joint appointment will enable the successful candidate to benefit from the world class environment, resources and infrastructures presented by both NIBRT and UCC Futures through collaborative industry-focused research, teaching, grant capture and the attraction of PhD students. Each post will be hosted at UCC, with a joint appointment at NIBRT.

NIBRT is a global centre of excellence, headquartered in Dublin that provides training and research solutions to the global biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector. NIBRT emerged in 2007 from an innovative collaboration between University College Dublin and a number of Ireland’s leading higher education institutions, with core funding by the Government of Ireland through Ireland’s inward investment agency, IDA Ireland. NIBRT’s 6,500 m² facility houses a fully operational pilot plant for biologics manufacturing which is used for providing training to industry and for education purposes, as well as multiple research laboratories focused on biopharmaceuticals and advanced therapeutics manufacturing research.

We are inviting applications from individuals who have demonstrated research excellence across a range of subjects related to biopharmaceutical and advanced therapeutic manufacturing research including:

  • Vaccine Development and Manufacturing to develop and translate innovative and advanced vaccines to address equitable access and acceptability needs. 
  • Gene Therapy to research therapeutic modalities and develop sustainable manufacturing protocols for the development of viral and non-viral mechanisms for delivery of  gene therapies and associated applications in cell therapies, and vaccines.
  • Advanced Cell Therapy to conduct pre-clinical research and development of novel cell therapy projects, GMP manufacture and process development.
  • Nucleotide Chemistry (synthetic) to research, design, synthesise and manufacture as a product chemically modified DNA and RNA for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, including in gene therapies, cell therapies, and vaccines.
  • Biochemical and Bioprocess Sensors to provide real-time monitoring and process control in the manufacture and testing of and biopharmaceutical and advanced therapeutic products in GMP production and laboratory facilities.

Key Responsibilities

In accordance with the University’s strategic objective as a research-led institution, the duties of all academic staff will include research, research-led teaching and contributions to the university, the discipline, and the community. The academic staff member shall teach and examine, undertake administrative duties, and carry out other duties appropriate to the post under the general direction of the Head of the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. It is envisaged that the research activities of the staff member will be housed between UCC and The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT).

The roles and responsibilities outlined below are to be interpreted in the context of the relevant statutes and where there is any difference arising from interpretation, statutory provisions will take precedent. For the sake of clarity, the relevant elements of the statutes not already incorporated in the numbered sections are appended in italics under each subheading.

In the appointment process for all leadership positions, a requirement of appointment will be demonstrable experience of leadership in advancing gender equality.

Leadership | Research | Teaching and Examining | Contributions

Leadership

  • Demonstrate a clear vision and strategy to support the development of Biochemistry and Cell Biology through, research teaching and scholarship, and in any other appropriate manner;
  • Undertake leadership, administrative, managerial activities and tasks, as appropriate, that support and add value to the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and UCC;
  • Mentor, support and advise junior staff as appropriate and assist in their academic career development in teaching and research and foster the research and scholarship of other individuals and groups within their academic unit and the University.

Research

  • Engage in high quality and productive research and scholarship of international standing and contribute to and lead the advancement of knowledge within their discipline and publish their research in appropriate high-impact, peer-reviewed publications, creative works, or other forms of scholarship appropriate to the discipline;
  • Carry out and lead as appropriate, initiatives in generating research income and assist in the co- ordination of research funding activities within UCC, the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and NIBRT, as appropriate to the discipline;
  • Supervise students undertaking research projects (especially at PhD and postdoctoral level);
  • Engage in other scholarly activities relevant to the discipline and the senior level of the post, including multi-disciplinary research and partnership with external stakeholders.

Teaching and Examining

  • Promote excellence in teaching and learning and encourage the application of innovative teaching and learning methodologies within the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, and within other academic units in the University and potentially at NIBRT, as appropriate;
  • Teach and examine on courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level and, where appropriate, adult and continuing education courses and make a distinguished personal contribution to teaching at all levels;
  • Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students;
  • Contribute to and take a leadership role where appropriate in the management, regular evaluation of curricula, and the development of new curricular initiatives;
  • Perform a significant role in the development of postgraduate studies at UCC, and NIBRT as appropriate;
  • Play a significant role in the maintenance of academic standards and in the development of the curriculum within their subject areas:
  • to give the students attending his/her ordinary lectures assistance in their studies, by advice, by informal instruction, by occasional and periodic examination, and otherwise, as s/he may judge to be expedient; also, to make such arrangements as s/he sees fit to make to meet students who have individual queries;
  • to give instruction to his/her students and assist them in the pursuit of knowledge;
  • to hold, or assist at, all University examinations in the subjects with which s/he is an examiner.

Contributions

  • Enhance the promotion of the discipline both inside and outside the University and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University and society;
  • Serve if required as head of one of the College’s academic units subject to relevant University regulations, statutes and management requirements;
  • Actively seek to develop links with professional bodies and external agencies, where appropriate;
  • Contribute to the administrative duties of the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and to act as a member of such committees as may be required within the university;
  • Fulfil other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned by the Head of School;
  • Carry out other duties as may arise as identified in the University statutes:
  • to carry out administrative and other appropriate duties lawfully allocated to them within their department or other academic unit;
  • if a member of the Academic Council, to attend its meetings;
  • to serve upon all the committees to which s/he may be appointed by the Governing Body or the Academic Council, and to assist and co-operate with the Governing Body in such other reasonable ways as the Governing Body may prescribe, for the maintenance of discipline and good conduct among the students, or for the general business of the University.

The above listing is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake duties as may reasonably be expected. All staff are required to be flexible, co-operative and professional within the needs of the post and the Discipline/Department/School, College and University. The University is undertaking a major reform of its internal structures which may necessitate possible future changes in the organisation of its activities.

Essential Criteria

The successful candidate will be expected to have:

Qualifications | Leadership | Teaching and Examining | Research | Contributions | Other

Qualifications

  • A PhD in an area relevant to the development of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (as broadly defined) and a significant record of research and publication in the relevant discipline.

Leadership

  • The ability to provide vision and leadership in the development of Biochemistry and Cell Biology research and education, with a strong emphasis on Biopharmaceuticals and Advanced Therapeutics, within the strategic frameworks of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science, the University and NIBRT;
  • Demonstrable evidence of leadership experience in both research and education;
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills commensurate with leading and supporting a team of committed academic and administrative colleagues together with the demonstrated ability and willingness to work in a collaborative environment.

Research

  • International standing as a leading researcher and scholar in the domain of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, with a strong emphasis on Biopharmaceuticals and Advanced Therapeutics, as evidenced through high quality and quantity of refereed journal publications of substantial international standing;
  • A significant and established track record and commitment to attract competitive research funding, as appropriate to the discipline;
  • A record of successful leadership and international recognition through research and scholarly activity within the discipline, including research supervision, examining, editing and refereeing, as appropriate, including demonstrable experience in contributing to multi-disciplinary research.

Teaching and Examining

  • Evidence of significant high-quality achievement in and commitment to excellence in research-led teaching and learning in the area of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (as broadly defined), with a strong emphasis on Biopharmaceuticals and Advanced Therapeutics, at undergraduate and postgraduate level and a willingness to both contribute to and lead in the development of the teaching programmes offered by the School;
  • The ability to teach, inspire and supervise students, communicate ideas and concepts in a teaching and learning environment and where the opportunity has existed, to develop and lead postgraduate supervision to doctorate level.

Contributions

  • Proven senior administrative experience and evidence of holding significant positions of responsibility;
  • Ability to participate in and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University, the academic discipline and society at large.
  • An understanding of, and empathy with, the concerns of students;
  • Evidence of ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team;
  • A commitment to the long-term development of the discipline.

Desirable Criteria

  • Evidence of a contribution to innovation in teaching and in curriculum or programme development, review, and evaluation;
  • A familiarity with and willingness to use modern teaching technologies.
  • Evidence of participation in relevant academic and professional associations/ bodies as appropriate.

Required Skills & Competencies

Go to UCC to find out more

 

Awards and Recognition

image 46
image 50
image 48 (1)
image 49