Education and Public Engagement Officer (IPIC)

Purpose of the Role
The Irish Photonic Integration Centre (IPIC) at Tyndall National Institute seeks an imaginative and enthusiastic Education and Public Engagement (EPE) Officer for maternity cover. We are an SFI Research Centre that brings together over 200 researchers from the Tyndall National Institute, Munster Technology University, Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork to develop new light enabled technologies. Our work focuses on developing the next generation of highly-compact and miniaturised photonics technologies in order to tackle some of society’s greatest challenges, including revolutionising the speed of data transfer for the continued growth of the internet, delivering new smart medical devices for improved patient outcome and developing instrumentation for point-of-care diagnostics and wearable devices.

Science and technology plays an increasingly important role in society, while Ireland has in recent years become a leader in numerous research fields. As a result it is important that the Irish public are fully informed and understand the role of science, feels that it has the appropriate level of engagement with the researchers and encourages young people to take science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects throughout their education and to pursue a career in STEM.

You will lead IPIC’s Education & Public Engagement programme, including the development and implementation of the programme strategy, with the core element being the delivery of a wide range of engaging, informative, and fun activities and events with IPIC researchers, to primary and secondary schools, third level organisations and the general public. This will require the development of close collaborations with Science Foundation Ireland, sister SFI centres and organisations with similar activities to develop a comprehensive nationwide programme. You will also support and lead the development and execution of funding proposals to sustain the activity into the future.

Reporting to the Centre Manager the key areas of responsibility are

• Implement the Education & Public Engagement strategy through comprehensive annualised plans that are provided to the Centre Manager and SFI.
• Deliver EPE activities throughout the calendar year to achieve the primary goals of the IPIC EPE programme across the main target audiences (primary and secondary schools, third level organisations and the general public).
• Organize and co-ordinate the Tyndall & IPIC Summer Fellowship Internship Programme.
• Secure feedback from participants of the programme and related activities and utilise feedback to continuously enhance the programme.
• Engage and motivate IPIC researchers, from Principle Investigators to PhD students, to participate in the development and delivery of EPE activities.
• Work closely with SFI and other SFI centres to develop a nationwide programme of activities.
• Work closely with the IPIC Management Team to deliver the centre’s EPE focused Key Performance Indictors.
• Prepare reports and presentations as and when required capturing the programme objectives, strategy and performance.
• Provide leadership to IPIC’s EPE activities, including the continuous development and implementation of the programme strategy.
• Support the development of an Engaged Researcher programme.
• Develop best practice and engage with the dissemination of learnings from the programme.
• Organise and co-ordinate science communication training and skills development for the IPIC EPE team. 
• Drive the development of novel engagement materials and events that keep the activities informative, engaging and fun.
• Development partnerships with organisations and companies who have aligned activities, such as the Institute of Physics, and co-ordinate activities to maximise the effectiveness of the programme and the available resources.
• Pursue funding opportunities to sustain and develop the EPE programme.
• Work with IPIC and Tyndall’s Communications Officers to market events and disseminate the outputs of the EPE programme, using platforms such as IPIC’s website, newsletters and digital platforms.

 Essential Criteria

• Degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, preferably in areas relevant to IPIC’s research.
• Experience in managing and organising public engagement, science communication and outreach activities.
• Proven project management skills.
• Willingness to work flexibly and as part of a team.
• Ability to organise own time and act on own initiative
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Passion and enthusiasm for sharing science with all audiences.
• Full driving licence.

Desirable Criteria

• Proven record of developing relationships and partnerships with key senior external stakeholders.
• Experience of organising and delivering education and public engagement activities.
• Experience of delivering an internship programme
• Demonstrated creative experience in developing novel and engaging platforms to engage a target audience.
• Experience in drafting and the submission of EPE funding proposals.
• Record of presenting an education and public engagement programme for peer review.
• Experience in scientific research would be advantageous.
• Ability to motivate and engender a passion for science communication in other students and staff

What We Offer
Apart from offering a position in a successful and positive research environment, with a collaborative ethos full of diverse competencies to boost your career, we offer the following:
Impactful Work: Opportunities to contribute to ground-breaking research and innovation that shape Ireland’s economy and the society at large.
Continuous Learning: Strong support for formal training, further study and professional development.
Interdisciplinary Environment: Where academia, industry, and innovation intersect - supported by cutting-edge infrastructure and expert knowledge.
Blended Working: Flexibility to work remotely and on-site, where the role allows.
Comprehensive Benefits: Access to UCC pension, long-term illness benefit, life assurance, and more.
Generous Leave: Competitive annual leave entitlements.
Equity & Inclusion: Athena Swan Bronze award holder, with ongoing initiatives led by a dedicated People and Culture team to ensure equity for all.
Core Values: A culture grounded in Ambition, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, and Integrity.
Entrepreneurial Spirit: A proactive, innovation-driven environment that welcomes entrepreneurial and creative thinkers, including those with start-up experience.
Supportive Onboarding: Structured induction and mentoring to help new hires integrate and thrive.
Vibrant Culture: A collaborative, people-first workplace with a strong sense of community.

Terms of Employment
Contract category: Full time
Contract type: Specified Purpose Maternity Cover

Appointment may be made on the Grade 5 Admin V Scale (B) €51,307 - €62,926 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

For further information, please contact Patrick Morrissey
Closing date of applications is 1pm, 9th January 2026.

Application Instructions
Please make sure to attach an up to date CV/Resume AND a brief motivation letter outlining how you meet the ‘Essential Criteria’ for this role.

A full candidate information pack is available to download by clicking here.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
At this time, Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.
Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer