Research Development Officer

Job Title: Research Development Officer (Grade VI)

Post Title: Research Development Officer

Post Duration:Fixed Term Contract, June 2026 to December 2028 (Approx 30 months)

Grade: NCAD Grade VI

Reports to: Head of Research

Salary: NCAD Grade VI €57,897- €70,733 per annum

*Candidates should note that as per Department of Finance guidelines, entry will be at the first point of the salary scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy. Candidates should note that different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is a serving civil or public servant.

Annual Leave: Annual Leave will be 27 working days per annum. This leave is exclusive of public holidays.

Hours of Attendance: Working hours will be 35 hours per week (net of rest breaks).

Location: This position is based at NCAD, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin

Role Purpose:

This role is a specified purpose role funded by the Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF), this funding is time-bound and the objectives of the funding are to:

• Provide targeted support for initiatives that are critical to the strategic development of NCAD.
• Contribute towards enhancement initiatives that will strengthen the performance of NCAD.
• To consolidate NCAD's position in the higher education landscape.
• Facilitate the development and/or continuation of initiatives that further national policy and priorities.

Candidates should note that as per Department of Finance guidelines, entry will be at the first point of the salary scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy. Candidates should note that different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is a serving civil or public servant.

This role supports academic staff at NCAD’s to develop and sustain high quality research activity. The Research Office supports a diverse range of research across NCAD’s community, including practice-based, theoretical and applied research across art, design, visual culture and education. The Research Development Officer will be responsible for supporting increased engagement with research at all career levels and within all disciplines across the College community. The Research Development Officer will be responsible for key Research Office functions such as our mentoring programme (known as the Research Support Panel), the Research Ethics Committee, the Research Strategy Committee, and internal Research Funding schemes. The person appointed will also organise and deliver an annual programme of Research Training for NCAD staff, including the Annual Research Development Week involving workshops and presentations by external research experts. Working closely with the Research Office Lead, the person appointed to this role will support staff to make successful funding applications and to meet post-award reporting requirements. This role also plays a key communication function, particularly in terms of encouraging and supporting NCAD staff to be successful researchers. Communication with external national and international stakeholders, research partners and the wider public is also an important aspect of this role.

This role is a specified purpose role funded by HEA’s Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF). This funding is time-bound and the objectives of the funding are to:

• Provide targeted support for initiatives that are critical to the strategic development of NCAD.
• Contribute towards enhancement initiatives that will strengthen the performance of NCAD.
• To consolidate NCAD's position in the higher education landscape.
• Facilitate the development and/or continuation of initiatives that further national policy and priorities.

This is an exciting time to be joining the College, with a number of significant projects underway including the expansion of our Campus and the development of new academic programmes. The Research Office at NCAD has been in operation since 2023 and as a result of the college’s success in applying for Targeted Enhancement Funds from the HEA is embarking on a significant phase of growth and development. The role presents an exceptional opportunity for someone to make a significant impact in shaping this exciting development. As a small specialist art and design college NCAD has a very active faculty with national and international profiles. We have had major funding successes in recent months including our leadership of a successful bid to establish an all-island arts and design research network funded through North-South Research Programme (HEA / Department of Education). We have other plans to extend our research operations including the development of new research units at the college. The expanded Research Office team will play a key role in ensuring that NCAD research has significant social, cultural and economic impacts.

The Research Development Officer will be line-managed by the Research Office Lead. They will work with and be supported by a Research Office Administrator as well as other members of the Research Office team. They will be flexible and have great communication skills as well as an appetite to develop new systems and approaches to support research.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• To organise and run the Research Support Panel, NCAD’s informal mentoring scheme for researchers, on a biannual basis
• To convene and administer Committees connected to NCAD’s Research Office, including the NCAD’s Research Ethics Committee and NCAD Research Strategy Committee, ensuring they align with best practice in institutional governance
• Plan and coordinate the delivery of a research training programme which aligns to the diverse needs of NCAD’s research community, and includes annual in-person training events, as well as the development of online resources
• Manage the internal processes for the allocation of NCAD research funds
• Provide support and guidance to staff and their line-managers at NCAD about research practices and opportunities
• Provide guidance to staff on all aspects of pre-award and post-award activity, including providing hands on assistance for the development of proposals for research to staff with varying levels of experience in proposal writing
• Manage post-award support for research projects, including supporting researchers in the preparation of grant agreements and , budgeting, and ensuring project governance and management is aligned to College practices and funder requirements
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of national and international research funding environments, particularly in relation to art and design and other academic disciplines at NCAD
• Write and update College policies as they relate to research (e.g. research ethics, research integrity) ensuring that these policies align to international best practice, remain fit-for-purpose and are embedded in research activity across the College
• Undertake any other such appropriate duties, which may be assigned from time to time by their Line Manager

Mandatory Requirements

• Level 8 qualification and/or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 3 years’ professional experience in academic and/or research management within the university or higher education sector.
• Experience in data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Good understanding of Irish and international funding agencies and their programmes.
• Proven ability to manage project budgets, ensure expenditure appropriately aligns to funder requirements and College procurement frameworks, and undertake financial reporting.
• Knowledge of compliance, research governance, research ethics, and risk management.
• Project management competence, including planning and coordinating multi-stage research projects and managing timelines, deliverables, and multi-partner collaborations.
• Excellent communication and writing skills and experience of writing reports, funding applications, and making presentations.
• Experience of working with senior academics, administrators, and external stakeholders, with demonstrated ability to collaborate and build relationships across teams.
• Ability to work freely and take ownership of outcomes for key projects and tasks

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in designing and delivering research training programmes
• Understanding of practice-based research methods in art and design / creative practice research and its place within broader research landscapes
• Experience in managing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion requirements as they relate to positive research cultures
• The successful candidate will possess exceptional interpersonal, organisational, and communication skills, demonstrate strategic thinking and initiative.

Closing Date 2nd April 2026