Purpose of Position

This is an attractive opportunity for an innovative early career researcher to contribute to the EU-funded SMARDY project, a new multi-national Eureka R&D project

The SMARDY Consortium will develop a research data marketplace for technology transfer built as a software and Open Data carpentry, where academia, industry, and government can exchange curated datasets, technology, and tools to foster economic and social development. Further details are available from the SMARDY portal at: https://smardy-project.eu/  

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral Research Associate affiliated to the Cloud Competency Centre (CCC) of the National College of Ireland (https://www.ncirl.ie/cloud)—a research centre committed to bridging high-performance computing, distributed ledger technologies, data analytics, and parallel processing—and employed by DTSL, a leading SME with core strengths in up-skilling, competency enablement, and leadership development across all sectors of industry (https://digitaltechnologyskills.ie/ ). Both organisations are core partners in SMARDY.

The successful applicant will carry out analytical and coding work to design, develop, and empirically evaluate a traceable Open Data innovation model by deploying public distributed ledgers on cloud infrastructures in order to control access rights to datasets, with data models able to grant access according to policies completely kept under the control of the data owner/producer.

Reporting to:              

Head of the Cloud Competency Centre

Key Relationships: 

  • Head of Cloud Competency Centre.
  • SMARDY Consortium partners.
  • Vice President Academic Affairs and Research.
  • School of Computing staff.
  • Dean of School of Computing.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and carry out a work programme aligned with the objectives of the SMARDY project including developing and deploying code and writing project deliverables, conference papers, and journal articles.
  • Contribute to developing and enhancing the research profile of the Cloud Competency Centre.
  • Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be requested by the Head of the Cloud Competency Centre.
  • Proactively engage in writing research proposals for future funding
  • Collaborate in suitable SMARDY activities in Ireland and, when circumstances allow, abroad in subject-related areas.

Key Requirements:

  • PhD (or close to final thesis submission) in Computer Science, Data Science, or closely related discipline.
  • Evidence of publication track record in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and selective conferences in data-intensive computing, computational science, cloud computing, and/or software engineering.
  • Self-motivation, attention to detail, and ability to thrive in an international research team.
  • Relevant interpersonal skills and ability to develop productive working relationships with other researchers and senior staff with diverse cultural backgrounds in an international environment.
  • Capacity to balance the pressures of research tasks and competing deadlines within the project.
  • Strong coding skills in Python/R/Java/C and solid working knowledge and experience of Linux internals, distributed ledger technologies/blockchain, debugging, and software engineering principles. 

Contract: 

2 Year fixed term contract

Salary: 

€37,271 - €55,909 (Academic I Salary Band)

Annual Leave: 

34 Days per annum pro rata

Hours:

Full-time

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 and CV both in PDF format ONLY, quoting reference number: NCI 100 to: recruitment@ncirl.ie by 5:00 pm, 12th August 2022.

Note: The functions and responsibilities assigned to the Open Data Research Associate 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.

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.

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