Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience

Overview

Permanent Whole Time Post

UCC wishes to appoint an experienced academic to the role of Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience. Reporting to the Head of Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, successful candidate will be expected to develop a high-quality, impactful, and internationally competitive programme of research in the Department as part of UCC Futures - Future Ageing and Brain Sciences. Additionally, the candidate will be primarily involved in teaching, supervision and coordination on the BSc in Neuroscience and other programmes in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience.

For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see https://ore.ucc.ie/. The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to the Head of Department, Professor Gerard O’Keeffe, Tel: + 353 21 420 5570. Further information on the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, visit the department website.

This position is being filled as part of UCC Futures - Future Ageing and Brain Science.

What is UCC Futures – Future Ageing and Brain Science

Ageing and brain disorders are among the greatest challenges of our time, requiring sustainable solutions to address the health, socioeconomic and cultural challenges and opportunities that face a growing and ageing global population. UCC Futures - Future Ageing and Brain Science is dedicated to advancing the understanding of brain disorders and of ageing, to promoting healthy ageing, and to improving diagnosis, prevention and treatment of age-related disorders.

Building upon UCC’s existing research excellence and infrastructure, UCC Futures - Future Ageing and Brain Science will advance the development of groundbreaking discoveries and technologies, responding to the challenges of brain disorders and diseases of ageing. We will partner with communities, healthcare and industry, in a focused collaborative research effort to improve outcomes and quality-of-life for all individuals and for our society.

UCC Futures – Future Ageing and Brain Science is committed to advancing transdisciplinary research and teaching, building upon our renowned expertise to tackle the growing challenges posed by brain disorders and age-related diseases. Our mission is to enhance healthy ageing, emphasising brain health promotion as a means to combat the leading causes of dependency and institutionalisation within our communities, both in Ireland and globally.

Duties of the post

In accordance with the University’s strategic objective as a research led institution, the duties of all academic staff will include research, research-led teaching and contributions to the university, the discipline and the community. The academic staff member shall teach and examine, undertake administrative duties and carry out other duties appropriate to the post under the general direction of the Head of the Department of Physiology.

The roles and responsibilities outlined below are to be interpreted in the context of the relevant Statutes and where there is any difference arising from interpretation, that statutory provisions take precedent. For the sake of clarity, the relevant elements of the statutes not already incorporated in the numbered sections are appended in italics under each subheading.

Teaching and Examining | Research | Contributions

Teaching and Examining

1. Coordinate and assist in the delivery of research-led teaching, assessment and examining on the BSc Neuroscience and, where appropriate, other programmes in the
   Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience and adult and continuing education courses;
2. Supervise research projects for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes;
3. Undertake the development and regular evaluation of modules with reference to content, delivery and assessment;
4. Participate in the development of new curricular initiatives;
5. Demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning and apply innovative teaching and learning methodologies within the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, and within other academic units in the University, as appropriate;
6. Contribute to the development of online teaching in UCC and promote the integration of online and campus-based teaching programmes;
7. Contribute towards the maintenance of academic standards within the discipline

• to give the students attending his/her ordinary lectures assistance in their studies, by advice, by informal instruction, by occasional and periodic examination, and otherwise, as s/he may judge to be expedient; also, to make such arrangements as s/he sees fit to make to meet students who have individual queries;
• to give instruction to his/her students and assist them in the pursuit of knowledge;
• to hold, or assist at, all University examinations in the subjects with which s/he is an examiner.

Research

8. To undertake research that contributes to the field of neuroscience;
9. Engage in productive research and scholarship and contribute to the advancement of knowledge, participate in research activities and publish the research in appropriate peer-reviewed publications, creative works or other forms of scholarship appropriate to the discipline;
10. Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research students (particularly PhD students) both in UCC and internationally where appropriate;
11. Undertake initiatives in generating research income as appropriate to the discipline;
12. Engage in other scholarly activities relevant to the research discipline.

Contributions

13. Participate in the administrative activities of the department/school, including posts of responsibilities, committees and the academic life of the College and University;
14. Participate as a member of such committees as may be required by the University;
15. Develop links with professional bodies and external agencies, where appropriate;
16. Promote the discipline both inside and outside the University and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University and society;
17. Carry out other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned by the Head of discipline/department/School

• to carry out administrative and other appropriate duties lawfully allocated to them within their department or other academic unit;
• if a member of the Academic Council, to attend its meetings;
• to serve upon all the committees to which s/he may be appointed by the Governing Body or the Academic Council, and to assist and co-operate with the Governing Body in such other reasonable ways as the Governing Body may prescribe, for the maintenance of discipline and good conduct among the students, or for the general business of the University.

The above listing is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake duties as can reasonably be expected. All staff are required to be flexible, co-operative and professional within the needs of the post and the Discipline/Department/School, College and University. The University is undertaking a major reform of its internal structures which may necessitate possible future changes in the organisation of its activities.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will be expected to meet the following essential criteria:

Qualifications | Teaching and Examining | Research | Contributions | Other

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

1. A doctorate, equivalent professional qualification or research experience leading to publication in the relevant discipline.

Desirable Criteria

2. A post-graduate qualification in teaching and learning.

Teaching and Examining

Essential Criteria

3. Relevant teaching experience in Neuroscience or a closely related discipline to Level 7-9 students;
4. An ability to contribute across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes both in and outside the area of research specialisation;
5. Evidence of a commitment to excellence in research-led teaching;
6. Evidence of an understanding of and willingness to use modern teaching technologies and potential for innovative teaching and curriculum development;
7. Evidence of an ability to teach, inspire and supervise students, communicate ideas and concepts in a teaching and learning environment.

Research

Essential Criteria

8. Evidence of appropriate research achievement as indicated by published work and other research outputs appropriate to the discipline;
9. Evidence of attracting funding through competitive research grants or other sources as appropriate to the particular stage of the candidate’s academic career;
10. Experience of research supervision (including PhD students);
11. Ability and willingness to collaborate with colleagues on research projects, as appropriate to the discipline.

Desirable Criteria

12. Evidence of other relevant scholarly activity.

Contributions

Essential Criteria

13. Administrative experience or evidence of ability to contribute to academic administration;
14. Experience in or potential to participate in relevant academic and professional associations/bodies as appropriate;
15. The potential to participate in and contribute to the overall intellectual life of the University, the academic discipline and society at large.

Other

Essential Criteria

16. Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills;
17. Evidence of ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team;
18. Ability and willingness to work in a collaborative environment;
19. Experience in engagement with students in a higher education environment;
20. An understanding of, and empathy with, the concerns of students;
21. A commitment to the long-term development of the discipline.
22. An understanding of academic policy, administrative systems and committee structures, including co-ordinating action points and decisions.

Desirable Criteria

23. A willingness to travel for the purpose of marketing of the programme and for recruitment of international students.

The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

Salary Information

Appointment may be made on the Senior Lecturer Salary Scale: €80,664- €114,265 (Scale B) / €77,879 - €108,551 (Scale A)

Applications for this post

How to apply

Applications for this post are received through UCC's online application portal. You'll be required to set up a profile (if you don't already have one). 

You can find the posts associated with UCC Futures - Future Ageing and Brain Science by selecting 'Academic UCC Futures' in the search by vacancy type field.

Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to uccfuturesrecruitment@ucc.ie, quoting the job title.

What to include in your application

Applications should consist of your academic CV and a cover letter demonstrating your academic and research achievements. We would also like to hear about your research ambitions and how your academic and research profile aligns with the UCC Futures - Future Ageing and Brain Science initiative.

Details of the following should also be included, as appropriate:

• Publications
• Research Interests
• Grants and Funding
• Teaching Interests and Abilities
• Teaching Objectives and Methods

Who to contact

We encourage all applicants to contact us prior to making an application for the position. 

• Contact: Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to the Head of Department, Professor Gerard O’Keeffe, Tel: + 353 21 420 5570. Further information on the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, visit the department website.

Deadline for applications

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12pm (Irish Local Time) on Tuesday, 13 August 2024. No late applications will be accepted.

Equality statement

University College Cork is committed to being a fully inclusive global university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core values under our UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028. UCC holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of age, care-giving status, disability, ethnicity, gender and/or gender identity or expression status, nationality, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/creed, and/or sexual orientation. We are committed to supporting all staff through flexible working schemes, family-friendly policies, training and development, and staff networks. We value the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seek to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual in line with equality legislation. We encourage applicants to consult our Dignity and Respect Policy and learn more about our EDI related initiatives.