Research Assistant In Computer Systems

Purpose of Position:

Applications are invited for two positions as Research Assistant in Computer Systems affiliated with the Cloud Competency Centre (CCC) at the National College of Ireland (https://www.ncirl.ie/cloud). The Research Assistant is expected to be registered to pursue a PhD degree alongside their research responsibilities. The salary associated with this position includes the PhD fees at EU Level.

The CCC is a prestigious research centre dedicated to bridging various areas such as high-performance computing, parallel processing, open data, distributed ledger technologies, and data analytics.

This is an attractive opportunity to significantly contribute to the EU-funded project DIGITAL4Security (https://www.digital4security.eu/). The project aims to equip European SMEs and Companies across multiple sectors with the cybersecurity management, regulatory, and technical skills they need to prevent and respond to existing and emerging cybersecurity threats, helping to safeguard European industries from cyber-attack.

The primary objective of these positions is to develop innovative concepts derived from functional and non-functional requirements, which will be obtained from canonical parallel patterns, resource constraints, and performance models. These concepts will then be experimentally validated as part of the PhD research.

Key Relationships:

• PhD Supervisors
• Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies 
• Head of Cloud Competency Centre 
• European DIGITAL4Security Consortium partners
• Dean of School of Computing
• School of Computing staff

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and carry out a comprehensive PhD research aligned with the objectives of the DIGITAL4Security project including code development and deployment, as well as writing project deliverables, conference papers and journal articles.
• Collaborate and participate in suitable DIGITAL4Security activities in Ireland and, if circumstances require, abroad in subject-related areas.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of the research profile of the Cloud Competency Centre.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be requested by the DIGITAL4Security Principal investigators and the Head of the Cloud Competency Centre.
• Engage proactively in writing research deliverables and proposals for future funding.

Qualifications and Experience required:

• MSc in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Cloud Computing or closely related discipline. By exception, applications from candidates with a First Class Honours degree in relevant disciplines may be accepted.
• Substantial programming experience using programming languages such as Python/Java/C and solid working knowledge and experience of Linux internals, debugging, and software engineering principles. Provide evidence of relevant projects such as GitHub repositories.
• Possess self-motivation, attention to detail and the ability to thrive in an international team environment.
• Balance the pressures of research and administrative demands and competing deadlines within the project.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Evidence of publication record in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and selective conferences in computer science is a plus.
• A 2-page Original Research Proposal is required as part of the application for this position, identifying a significant research question, outlining the research methodology, describing potential outcomes, and demonstrating its relevance and importance. Note that in the case where Large Language Models have been used to make important changes ("polishing"), such as rewriting whole paragraphs, content and/or code generation it needs to be disclosed accurately, including which sections are concerned.

Salary:

€30,025 PER ANNUM (RESEARCHER ASSISTANT SALARY BAND) N.B. FIXED AMOUNT AS PER THE RESEARCH GRANT INCLUDING PHD FEES.

Annual Leave: 

34 days

Contract: 

36 months Full-Time Fixed Term Contract (to start on 1 st of September 2024 or immediately thereafter). The position is subject to a probationary period of up to 9 months pending the successful approval of the PhD’s annual progress report.

Location: 

National College of Ireland, Mayor Square, IFSC, Dublin 1

National College of Ireland’s mission is to widen participation in higher education and unlock each student's potential. The College offers students the opportunity to acquire the skills and self-confidence to change their lives, contribute to a knowledge based economy and become responsible, active citizens.

Application Process:

To apply, please e-mail your cover letter, CV and 2-page Original Research Proposal explaining the candidate’s proposed PhD topic as a single PDF file ONLY, using the email subject “Research Assistant in Computer Systems with PhD studentship, NCI Reference No: NCI1023” to: recruitment-cdolan@ncirl.ie by 17:00 GMT on 7th of June 2024. Interviews are expected to be conducted on the week starting on 24th of June 2024. Successful candidate is expected to start on 1st of September 2024 or immediately thereafter.

NATIONAL COLLEGE OF IRELAND HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES ARE ELIGIBLE TO LIVE AND WORK IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND.

Note: The functions and responsibilities assigned to the Research Assistant are based on the current stated role and objectives of the College. These functions and responsibilities may alter in line with any change in the role and objectives of NCI.

The successful applicant will be subject to Garda Vetting and must not have any convictions under the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

National College of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.

The Importance of Confidentiality

We would like to assure you that protecting confidentiality is our number one priority. You can expect that all enquires, applications and all aspects of the proceedings are treated as strictly confidential and are not disclosed to anyone, outside those directly involved in that aspect of the process.

Candidates' Obligations

In submitting a completed Curriculum Vitae and supporting documentation, candidates are declaring:

• That all the particulars furnished in their application are true and correct without omission and that they are aware of the qualifications and particulars for this position.
• That to the best of their knowledge that there is nothing in relation to their conduct, character or personal background of any nature that would adversely affect the position of trust in which they would be placed by virtue of this appointment.
• Their irrevocable consent to NCI making such enquiries as deemed necessary in respect of their suitability for the post in respect of which their application is made.
• Their acceptance and confirmation of the entitlement of NCI, as appropriate to, reject their application, or to terminate their employment (in the event of a contract of employment having been entered into on foot of this competition) if they have omitted to furnish NCI with any information relevant to their application or their continued employment or where they have made any false statement or misrepresentation relevant to this application or their continuing employment with the College. #

Candidates should note that they may be required to submit documentary evidence in support of any particulars given by them in their application for the post.

Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2018 and the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 to 2014 as amended

Data collected for the purposes of recruitment activities

NCI conducts recruitment processes to fill vacancies within the college. When applying for these competitions applicants are asked to submit a range of documents, e.g., a completed application form, CV and/or a personal statement or cover letter. For the purposes of recruitment activities, we will not collect any personal data that we do not need to assess your candidature for a role with us.

Legal Basis for Processing

NCI ’s legal basis for the processing of this data is a combination of individual consent, contractual necessity and legal obligations.

Withdrawal of Consent

Applicants can withdraw their consent for the processing of their personal data at any time by notifying the College. It is important to note that withdrawal of consent prior to the completion of the process will be considered as a withdrawal of the application.

What we do with your data

People who are directly employed by NCI and are based in Ireland process all the personal data collected for both recruitment and HR purposes.

Shortlisting

HR draft up the shortlisting documents and provide the initial screening to determine if a person meets the essential criteria of the competition. A shortlisting panel is generally made up of two senior grade staff members from the relevant department for which the role is being recruited.

Sharing of your data

Where you have been successfully shortlisted for a post, each interview panel member will be furnished with a copy of the relevant information of those who will be attending interview in order that they can review applications in advance of the interview process. All such information will be returned to NCI and shredded following the competition process. Some of the interview panel will be external interviewers, who are not employees of NCI but are engaged for the purpose and are strictly subject to the rules and policies of the College.

Access

Applicants can request and receive access to their data at any time and can request and receive a copy of this data, in electronic/transferable format.

Erasure

Applicants can request the data held be erased. In this case, the application for a position is considered withdrawn.

Rectification

Applicants can have any incorrect information corrected.

Objection / Withdraw

Applications can object to this information being processed and/or can request to withdraw from the application process

Complain

Applicants can make a complaint to our internal Information Governance and Data Protection Officer

NCI Information Governance and Data Protection Officer

National College of Ireland, Mayor Street, IFSC, Dublin 1

Tel (Direct): + 353 1 4498 523 ; Tel (Reception): + 353 1 4498 500

And/or make a complaint to the relevant authority

Data Protection Commission, 21 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin 2, D02 RD28

Tel: +353 (0) 761 104 800

National College of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and is a Member of the Athena SWAN Charter. NCI is committed to serving our diverse community and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.