Research Office Lead

Post Title & Subject Area: Research Office Lead

Grade: NCAD Assistant Principal Officer

Post Duration: Permanent Full-time,

Reports to: Head of Research

Salary: NCAD Assistant Principal Officer €81,474 - €101,536 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.

This role is primarily responsible for managing NCAD’s relationships with external bodies, including research councils, the HEA, European research organisations, and external research partners (HEIs). The Senior Research Officer will play a central role in major funding applications—from horizon scanning and proposal development to post-award reporting. A particular emphasis will be placed on supporting staff to prepare research applications, with careful attention to research ambitions across the institution. The postholder will also play a key role in shaping NCAD’s research strategy in close collaboration with the College Management Team.

The Research Office Lead will line-manage a Research Officer and a Research Office Administrator as well as other members of the Research Office team and will report to the Head of Research.

Key Roles / Duties

• Lead the development and implementation of strategies to encourage and support members NCAD's research community to apply for and be successful in securing external research funding

• Provide specialist advice to staff on all aspects of pre-award activity, including providing hands on assistance for the development of proposals for research to staff with varying levels of experience in proposal writing

• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of national and international research funding environments, aligning funding opportunities with an oversight of research activity and capacity in key areas which support the College strategy

• Work closely with applicants applying to national and international funders including the development of consortia, and the establishment of meaningful collaborations and partnerships

• Maintain oversight of college policies as they relate to research e.g., ethics, governance, overheads, ensuring that these policies align to international best practice, remain fit-for-purpose and are embedded in research activity across the College

• Develop and implement capacity-building programmes for researchers to enhance their competitiveness for national and international funding calls

• Identify, develop and promote potential new areas of cross-college research collaboration, including Research Labs, in line with college strategy

• Manage post-award support for research projects, including supporting researchers in contract negotiations, budgeting and ensuring project governance and management is aligned to college practices and funder requirements

Essential Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher.

• Minimum of 4 years’ professional experience in research management within the university or higher education sector.

• Demonstrated ability to design / shape institutional research strategy.

• Experience in data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

• Proven track record in preparing and delivering large-scale, complex research funding applications.

• Detailed knowledge of Irish and international funding agencies and their programmes.

• Ability to manage complex project budgets and undertake financial reporting.

• Knowledge of compliance, research governance, research ethics, and risk management.

• High level of 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.

• Experience in designing and delivering research training for academic staff.

The successful candidate will possess exceptional interpersonal, organisational, and communication skills, demonstrate strategic thinking and initiative, and be capable of leading and developing the Research Office team effectively.

Closing Date: 25th February 2026