Program Manager for the Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Environment Strategic Research Cluster

Program Manager for the Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Environment Strategic Research Cluster

Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term

SAFE Cluster

The Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Environment (SAFE) Strategic Research Cluster brings together a number of research groups at Tyndall to facilitate the development and deployment of new knowledge, new ICT technologies and new decision support tools to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire agriculture and food production chain.  To this end, the SAFE are developing new, and are advancing existing, electronic monitoring and sensing technologies with a view to becoming a global research leader ICT hardware technologies for sustainable Agri-Food and environmental applications.  The SAFE cluster has ongoing Joint research programmes with International academics, who are leaders in their fields, and also with key industry partners from across the value-chain in the all important ICT and SAFE sectors.

Tyndall National Institute has a significant research programme focused on developing core SAFE technologies.  Tyndall is a core partner in the SFI funded VistaMilk Research Centre, and coordinates (and partners in) in key Horizon Europe projects as well as other Internationally and Nationally funded projects. As one of Europe’s leading ICT institutes, with over 600 people and a capital infrastructure in excess of €300 M, Tyndall is focusing its research capacity in microelectronics and front end sensor development into “making smart things for the Internet of Agriculture”. We now wish to recruit a Programme Manager in order to manage the operations, research and industry engagement for the Centre. Key research themes will include sensors, IC design, systems integration and field deployment.

Purpose of Role

Reporting to the Head of the Precision Electrochemical Nanosensors team, based at Tyndall, the Programme Manager will lead and be responsible for the coordination of all research core activities of the precision electrochemical nanosensors strand. The successful candidate will act as a Programme Champion, creating an environment for teamwork, collaboration, open communications and ownership required to ensure a highly successful programme. This will include oversight of all research programmes, facilitating the delivery of commercialisation outputs, managing partner company engagements (in partnership with Business Development and the Technology Transfer Office) and the monitoring and reporting of Key Performance Indicators and deliverables. They will establish, develop and execute best-in-class programme and project management processes that will ensure timely delivery, within budget, of multiple, complex and high value, multi-year, and multi-group projects. They will work with EU programs office, at Tyndall, to explore and contribute to the internationalisation of the SAFE Cluster through Horizon Europe project consortia.  Success will require the candidate to build close working relationships with the research teams within Tyndall, international academic and industry partners. They will also contribute to the continued development of a ‘high engagement/high performance” working environment amongst all staff by promoting Tyndall’s key values of Ambition, Inclusion, Diversity, Excellence and Integrity. 

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of the Precision Electrochemical Nanosensors team to deliver:

• Champion programme, project and budget management for fundamental research and industry driven projects. This includes:
  • Lead the development of detailed programme databases, project plans and targets / deliverables/ milestones
  • Continuous monitoring of progress against plans, performance indicators and arrangement of regular project review meetings
  • Coordination and management of project budgets from kick-off to project closure including finance projections, burn rates, project resource assignments and cost codes, ensuring adequate time and budget allocation for each project
  • Develop, implement and lead business processes to ensure all project inputs/outputs are kept on track and to streamline overall project management.
  • Monitoring the inventory of research infrastructure available to the programme and take ownership for tendering and procurement of new equipment as required
• Strategic planning of the research programme and industry engagement:
  • Communication on progress to stakeholders via reports and meetings
  • Identify opportunities to engage in EU-funded proposals and assist in their development (proposal writing)  in collaboration with the Tyndall EU Programmes Office
  • Liaise with the researchers and the Commercial Centre team to amplify existing industry and academic partnerships and support the growth of the industry partner group
  • Support the negotiation of work plans and contract agreements with research partners and partner companies
  • Take initiative on the coordination and management of events such as external conferences and industry workshops and information days
• Visible technology transfer of IP generated so that it delivers the best economic outcome for Ireland:
  • Develop and maintain a research innovation strategy. 
  • Liaise with the researchers, TTO and the Commercial Centre team to identify and protect IP that emerges from the projects
  • Work with the TTO and the Commercial Centre team to exploit licensing opportunities where appropriate
  • Track direct economic benefits as a result of IP transfer to partner companies
• Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Health and Safety standards and with Tyndall’s Quality Management System with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Additional duties as may be reasonably required within the scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

• Relevant technical background, including a primary qualification in a science or engineering related subject
• Typically +5 years’ experience in industry driven projects
• Typically +5 years’ experience in R&D programme management, project management and/or product development
• Experience of managing project budgets valued at over €1 M
• Experience of business development and/or R&D contract negotiation
• Experience in strategic planning, R&D innovation

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of creative skills/creativity
• Postgraduate qualification in science, engineering or business
• Experience of project managing multiple partner (academic and industry) R&D projects
• Demonstrated ability in leading high performing technical teams with successful outcomes
• Strong communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills.
• Project Management accreditation, certification or 5 years equivalent experience
• Experience in technology road mapping
• Customer Relationship Management
• Experience of drafting national and international research proposals
• Experience in Intellectual Property (IP) management, Technology Transfer and exploitation
• Experience and track record in the use of KPIs to monitor and track performance
• To have experience in Agritech, Agriculture or environmental sectors

Tyndall National institute has a proactive entrepreneurial culture and we welcome applications from candidates who possess entrepreneurial and creative skills/experience, including the creation of technology start-ups.

Appointment will be made on the Admin II (6A) scale B: €69,240 -€87,706 per annum.  Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Alan O’Riordan 

Closing date of application is 23rd September, 2024.

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.

Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.

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.