Head of the Cloud Competency Centre

Key Relationships: 

The Senior Applied Data Scientist will work closely with:

• CCC Head
• External academic and industry partners involved in the DIGITAL4Business and GreenShift 
• CCC staff
• School of Computing staff
• Technical and Data Engineering staff across other EU-funded projects at CCC 

Key Responsibilities: 

The Senior Applied Data Scientist will be responsible for:

• Defining and leading applied research activities in statistical modelling, predictive analytics, optimisation, and AI-driven decision-support systems within DIGITAL4Business and GreenShift.
• Designing, developing, and validating scalable data analytics pipelines and machine learning models aligned with SME digitalisation and ESG performance measurement.
• Translating quantitative research outputs into deployable software prototypes and enterprise-ready analytics tools.
• Developing explainable and reproducible AI methodologies suitable for regulatory and sustainability reporting contexts.
• Leading technical deliverables within EU project work packages, including documentation, benchmarking, validation studies, and impact reporting.
• Contributing to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and policy-informed white papers in applied data science and digital sustainability.
• Supporting curriculum innovation and contributing to advanced teaching in applied data science, quantitative computing, and AI systems.
• Supervising postgraduate students and mentoring early-career researchers within the Cloud Competency Centre.
• Systematically monitoring and analysing open calls for funding under EU instruments such as Horizon Europe, DIGITAL Europe, Erasmus+, and related programmes, identifying strategic alignment with CCC research priorities.
• Leading and authoring complete competitive research and innovation proposals, including technical work packages, impact pathways, budgeting, and consortium coordination, potentially acting as Principal Investigator or independent lead applicant.
• Representing NCI and the CCC at EU consortium meetings, technical reviews, workshops, and dissemination events.

Qualifications & Experience Required:

The successful candidate must possess the following qualifications and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree (Level 8 or above) in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a closely aligned quantitative discipline.
• Advanced studies (e.g. MSc or equivalent) in Mathematics, Data Science, Applied Analytics, or a related field.
• Significant experience in statistical modelling, data analytics, and applied machine learning in academic or enterprise environments.
• Strong programming proficiency for data science workflows, including relevant libraries and tools.
• Experience designing and developing data-driven software systems or enterprise analytics solutions.
• Experience communicating complex analytical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Evidence of scholarly dissemination (peer-reviewed publications, conference papers, or technical research outputs) and/or demonstrable applied research artefacts.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, or GCP.

Desirable experience includes:

• Experience in higher education teaching or curriculum development in quantitative or computing-related disciplines.
• Background in middleware, enterprise integration, database systems, or large-scale data infrastructures.
• Exposure to ESG analytics, sustainability metrics, or green ICT frameworks.
• Experience working within Horizon Europe, DIGITAL Europe, or other large multi-stakeholder EU projects.

We welcome applications from individuals who meet the requirements of this position and who are committed to contributing to the success of the CCC EU-funded project portfolio.

Contract: 

36 month full time fixed term contract (commencing 1st April 2026 or shortly thereafter)

Salary: 

€64,410 per annum (Academic II salary band)

Annual Leave: 

34 days per annum 

Hours:

Full time

Probation: 

6-month performance-based probation period.

Application Process:

To apply, please e-mail your cover letter, CV, and Research Statement as a single PDF file ONLY, using the email subject “36-Month Senior Applied Data Scientist NCI Reference no: NCI26009” to: recruitment@ncirl.ie by Wednesday 25th of March 2026 by 5pm GMT.

Note: The functions and responsibilities assigned to this position 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 the College.

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

Eligibility to Work

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the Republic of Ireland.

Athena SWAN:

National College of Ireland holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award and is committed to promoting and developing a culture of excellence, diversity, and mutual respect that supports the College’s ambitions and attracts highly motivated and talented people.

Equal Opportunities Policy:

National College of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to the employment policies, procedures and practices which do not discriminate on grounds such as gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or membership of the traveller community.

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.