Research Assistant – DOORS & Directed

Applications are invited for the post of Research Assistant to join MaREI in University College Cork (UCC), based in the Beaufort Building in Ringaskiddy, Ireland. The MaREI Centre is a key research centre within UCC’s Environmental Research Institute (ERI) and has over 30 years of experience in conducting fundamental and applied research supported by competitively won national and international funding, and commercial contracts with government agencies and industry. Research and consultancy in the MaREI Centre is undertaken by staff with a range of specialist backgrounds, all of whom work collaboratively in a project-focussed environment where inter-disciplinarity is encouraged and fostered.

The successful candidate will join the Governance Group within the Centre and contribute to cross-cutting research activities that focus on different aspects of data interoperability, data stocktaking and quality review, and supporting user engagement and capacity building activities. They will be working in the thematic of Climate Adaptation and Impacts. Knowledge and understanding of spatial, in-situ, Earth Observation, and social science data, and their applications for coastal and marine management (at national and international scale) and Climate adaptation/ disaster risk reduction are essential qualities for this position. A background in stakeholder engagement is essential, as is science communications experience and preparation of material for dissemination to target audiences in coastal and marine sectors. Experience of working on national- and E.U.-funded initiatives would be beneficial.

Post Duration: 12 Months

Salary: €29,275 – €39,158 p.a. (IUA Salary Scale)

Project Title: DOORS – ‘Developing Optimal and Open Research Support’ for the Black Sea

and Directed Project – ‘DIsaster Resilience for Extreme ClimaTe Events providing interoperable Data, models, communication and governance

For an information package including further details of the post see https://ore.ucc.ie/.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Rory Scarrott, Dr., ERI MaREI Centre, Tel: + 353 (0) 21 4864343; Email: ei.ccu@ttorracs.r

Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (https://ore.ucc.ie/). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to ei.ccu@tnemtiurcer, quoting the job-title and project name.

Role Summary

This title will apply to a person of appropriate qualifications e.g., BSc or an MSc, employed on a contract for the purpose of assisting in the performance of research in the University. A Research Assistant will usually work under the direction of one or more Principal Investigator’s/Senior Researchers within a dedicated laboratory on one or more research projects.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

To work under the direction of the Principal Investigator/Project Leader.
To provide assistance in conducting research activities, including planning, organizing, conducting, and communicating research studies within the overall scope of a research project.
To coordinate and perform a variety of independent and team activities involved in the collection, analysis, documentation and some interpretation of information/results.
To undertake tasks which may include recording results and preparing technical reports including conclusions and recommendations. To coordinate the development of forms, questionnaires and the application of qualitative and quantitative research techniques; write procedures manuals for data collection and coding.
To stocktake and assess the potential of data (both spatial and non-spatial) from various sources, including datasets of a physical sciences nature, and or a more social/economic nature.
To support co-design and co-development of training-of-trainers programmes as part of Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer activities.
To compile digital, and physical communications content in support of stakeholder engagement activities in the Black Sea region, and in the Climate Risk reduction arena.
To facilitate and manage the implementation of science communication, stakeholder engagement, and coordination of events both nationally, and internationally.
To present information on research progress and outcomes to others responsible for the research project.
To provide guidance as required to any support staff and/or research students assisting with the research project, as agreed with the Principal Investigator/Grant holder.
Ideally to contribute to the publication of findings.
To confer with the Principal Investigator in developing plans for research projects and to discuss the interpretation of results and the preparation of manuscripts for publication.
To perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Selection Criteria

A graduate qualification in a field of discipline relevant to the area of investigation i.e. BSc or MSc. in a marine/coastal-related discipline.
Some research experience is desirable.
Good report writing and presentation skills.
Previous laboratory experience and practices are desired.
Good analytical skills and computer skills using office, GIS and Programming software(s).
A minimum of 1 year experience developing and applying GIS software(s) solutions.
An ability to work independently to a tight schedule.
Capability of working effectively within a team to achieve results.
Evidence of excellent organisational and communication skills.
Demonstrated capability to facilitate and implement national & international coordination activities.
Developed administrative skills for planning and supporting stakeholder engagement, and capacity building implementation.
Demonstrated experience in working with websites and the use of digital media platforms.
Demonstrated experience in conducting online science communication/ knowledge transfer activities.
High levels of initiative are encouraged.