Corpus Assistant

Applications are invited for a Corpus Assistant in Foclóir Stairiúil na Gaeilge (FNG), a research programme of the Royal Irish Academy.

Contract type: Fixed term, [until 28 December 2029]

Salary: €44,711 – €57,406

Close date: 14:00 on 29 June 2026

Key purpose of role

This post arises from the Foclóir Stairiúil na Gaeilge development plan (2025–2029), which aims to deliver the first tranche of historical dictionary entries for the language of the period, drawn from a substantial digital corpus of Irish texts.

The primary duties of the appointee will be working with corpus data to support, on a collaborative basis, members of the editorial team, under the supervision of the Editor. These duties will enhance the lexicographical workflow and be an integral part of dictionary production. Training will be available where specific technical tasks are identified.

Key accountabilities

• Work with the editorial team on dictionary-production tasks as part of the FNG research and publication programme, as directed by the Editor
• Process outstanding text material for inclusion in the digital corpus. This duty will require a high level of technical skill in digitisation and post-digitisation processes, competency in the Irish language and in working individually and as part of a team
• Devise and implement methodologies, from an information technology perspective, which will enhance and streamline the editorial workflow, facilitating the production of entries
• Work in conjunction with the editorial team—and outside contractors where appropriate—with the aim of making the Academy’s digital corpus available on a public platform, which is a central element of the FNG development plan
• Work, as required, as part of the FNG team on special projects, including conference organisation and outreach events, in line with programme objectives
• Attend, as appropriate, FNG working group meetings, to report on developments, execute decisions and ensure agreed actions are followed up in a timely manner
• Contribute to organisation-level initiatives and to collaborative work within the Academy, as required
• Discharge other duties deemed appropriate by the Editor, within the scope of the role

Note: To qualify candidates must be eligible by the date of any job offer. This job description is a guide to broad areas of responsibility and accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing. The job description may be subject to review in the view of new structures and / or the changing needs of the Academy.

Person specification

This post will be filled by a person with expertise and interest in working with databases, language processing, digitisation, Irish language, lexicography, linguistics or a cognate area. The successful candidate should have a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities involving the Irish language in an online context.

Essential criteria

• Native or near-native fluency as well as expert levels of written accuracy in modern Irish
• A third level degree in Irish, Celtic Studies, linguistics/language processing or other relevant area
• A minimum of three years’ relevant working experience
• Demonstrable experience in linguistics, lexicography, databases or language processing
• The ability to assist and deliver on academic research projects
• The ability to work under pressure to deadlines and use their initiative individually and as part of a team
• Expert-level fluency and precision in written English, and demonstrable proofreading skills in Irish and English
• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail applicable to research and administrative roles

Desirable criteria

• A post graduate degree in Irish, Celtic Studies, or a qualification in lingustics/language processing or other relevant area
• Work experience with linguistic corpora, especially from an IT perspective#
• Knowledge of Irish language and literature from the period before the 1958 standard
• Demonstrable social networking experience
• Ability to contribute to work in Irish lexicography

Further informationSalary

Salary is on the Admin Officer / Programme Manager Scale €44,711 – €57,406. Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy. If you are currently a serving civil or public servant, your entry point to the PayScale may be higher based on your current salary.

Hours of work

The normal hours of work are 35 hours per week.

• Overtime is not paid in respect of excess attendance which, should it arise, is discharged by time off in lieu at times agreed in advance with the Executive Director.
• This role is suitable for blended working.

Leave

The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per annum, pro-rata for shorter periods. Entitlement to leave for public holidays is in accordance with the terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. There may be a requirement to take up to four days annual leave where the Academy is closed at Christmas.

Employee benefits

Examples of some of our current employee benefits include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Family friendly policies
• Blended working policy
• Availability of an optical benefit scheme
• Availability of a cycle to work scheme
• A range of learning and developmental opportunities
• Sick leave scheme
• Paid maternity, adoptive and paternity Leave
• Automatically entered into a pension scheme
• Employee assistance programme

Medical

Staff shall, if required, and at the expense of the Academy, submit to a medical examination by a registered medical practitioner nominated by the Academy and shall authorise such medical practitioner to disclose and to discuss with the Academy the results of the examination and the matters which arise from it so that the Academy can ascertain any matters that they consider might impair a staff member from properly discharging his/her duties.

Pension

Details of the appropriate pension scheme will be provided upon determination of appointee’s status.

Permanent pension contribution

This appointment is subject to the Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC) effective from 1 January 2019.

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