Scientific Engagement Associate

Insight Centre for Data Analytics

NUI Galway

Ref. No. NUIG 045-15

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a part-time (70%) fixed term contract as Scientific Engagement Associate at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics (Insight), National University of Ireland, Galway. The position is available from July 2015 to contract end date of June 2019, subject to initial one year probationary period.This position is funded by Science Foundation Ireland.

Organisation: The Insight Centre for Data Analytics is a joint initiative between researchers atUCD,NUIGalway, UCC,DCU, and other partner institutions. It brings together a critical mass of more than 200 researchers from Ireland's leading ICTCentresto develop a new generation of data analytics technologies in a number of key application areas.

Insight’s Research Programmes and Application Domains will form the strategic focus areas around which we will identify opportunities for collaboration with industry partners and funding agencies. Insight’s Research Programmes are Machine Learning and Statistics, Media Analytics, Optimisation and Decision Analytics, Recommender Systems, The Semantic Web and Linked Data, and The Sensor Web. Insight’s Application Domains are Connected Health, The Discovery Economy, Digital Humanities and Journalism, Energy and Environment, Sport and Wellness and Media Processing.

Job Description:The Scientific Engagement Associate will be responsible for raising public awareness and the understanding of Insights science, technologies and research with particular focus on the important role it plays in society. A key part of the role is to encourage the public to get involved and interact with science and technology.

The successful candidates will co-ordinate, organise and participate in a wide range of activities locally, nationally and internationally, working together with Insightresearchersat NUI Galway and across partner institutions.The person in this role needs to be able to explain the complex concepts of Insight science and technology to the general public with particular emphasis on engaging primary and secondary level students. S/he needs to have the energy, enthusiasm and IT knowledge to be able to engage in a meaningful way with students and to encourage them to consider a career in computer science.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Achieve the agreed strategic goals of the InsightEducation and Public Engagement (EPE) Programme
  • To provide an effective framework to support the on-going development of education and public engagement activities of the Insight research programme
  • To develop, implement and evaluate education and public engagement programmes for Insight
  • Design, plan and develop outreach activities targeting Primary and Secondary Schools
  • Write complete Primary and Secondary Schools Programmes based around the Insight research programmes
  • Support the research activities of Insight – event management of scientific workshops, develop presentation materials
  • Establish and train a network of communication ambassadors
  • Dissemination – present research developments and scientific results internally and externally at workshops and meetings, websites and social media
  • Identify opportunities for external relationships and collaboration
  • Form partnerships with other education and public engagement providers, collaborating locally, nationally and at European level to leverage and support existing programmes
  • Pursue funding opportunities (national/EU) and collaborations so as to sustain and develop activities and reach new audiences
  • Lead, co-ordinate and submit grants related to outreach
  • Contribute to the promotion and marketing of Insight
  • Represent Insight at events and meetings, presenting the Insight research programme as required
  • Write press releases and liaise with the Press Office in NUI Galway
  • Produce newsletters, websites, social media
  • Increase awareness of the research being undertaken by Insight amongst various stakeholders including students at all levels of education particularly in primary and post-primary schools as well as the general public.
  • Foster an interest in Science and Technology, with particular reference to the Insight’s area of activity, amongst young people of school-going age in order that they would consider a future career in these disciplines
  • Promote the importance of Technological Innovation
  • Increase the utilisation of information technology and Web applications in primary/post-primary education and in the community sector
  • Play a leading role in promoting Insights technologies at the Science and Technology such as the Galway Science & Technology Festival Board, the Galway Education Centre and the outreach elements of local authorities in order to help build a Knowledge-based society and associated Smart Economy.
  • Take responsibility for the ongoing development of the ‘Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland’ based at NUI Galway as an important technology heritage repository and learning centre.
  • Deliver computer programming and awareness courses for schools and the general public.
  • Support the establishment, promote and ongoing development of digital maker clubs such as Coderdojo.
  • Provide talks/workshops on Cyberbullying and Internet Safety in association where possible with health, educational and justice groups and agencies.
  • Assist in the development of national technology competitions involving Insight such as Thesis-in-3 and Apps4Gaps.
  • Update and manage the content of the Insight Web sites. Be a central point of contact for all web site issues in Insight at NUI Galway.
  • Have oversight of all Insight EPE activities in NUI Galway to collate all relevant metrics and report these to the site manager as well as the Insight central operations team.
  • Provide regular news content for the Insight website

Qualifications:

  • Candidates should have a relevant third level qualification.
  • At least 5years’ experience of engagement with schools and public on IT and computer science topics.
  • Relevant qualifications in teaching (HDip) is desirable
  • A knowledge and understanding of the Insight core technologies, and the ability to explain these technologies to a non-technical audience, is essential.
  • Proven IT skills to a high level including experience in teaching IT courses (including HTML and Scratch) is essential.
  • Proven experience in web site management skills using Drupal CMS are essential.
  • A proven track record in the development and management of Outreach programmes for schools and communities is essential.
  • Experience of working with children and young people in technology education is considered an advantage.
  • Excellent communication skills (oral, writing, presentation) and a proven ability to communicate with diverse audiences at an individual or group level.
  • Strong administrative experience with a proven ability to set and achieve measurable goals in pursuit of a strategic plan

Salary: €37,750 - €46,255 per annum, pro-rata for this part-time post(public sector pay rules apply to new entrants)

NB: Gárda clearance is a requirement for this post.

Work permit restrictions apply to this category of part-time post.

Start date: July 2015

For informal enquiries about this post, please contactBrian Wall

Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available on Research at NUI Galway.

For information on moving to Ireland please see

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV,and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only)

Please put reference number NUIG-045-15 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm on Friday 15thMay, 2015.

National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer.