Assistant Professor in Biomedical Sciences (Cell Biology)

University of Limerick

Limerick, Ireland

€ 49,424 - € 67,221 per year

At the University of Limerick’s School of Medicine, we are at the forefront of medical discovery and its application, driven by a commitment to making a positive societal impact. We believe in harnessing the power of rigorous research and innovative thinking to address the most pressing global health challenges and shape the future of medicine and society. We are seeking an exceptional research active academic to join our team as an Assistant Professor in Biomedical Sciences. In this role, you will contribute significantly to shaping our new Direct Entry Undergraduate Medicine programme, to the teaching of Biomedical Science across our programmes as directed and have a research plan that will make a significant contribution to our existing research and enhance our research outputs. You will play a crucial part in ensuring our educational programs remain aligned with the evolving needs of future healthcare professionals, patients, and society. The successful candidate will be expected to lead and expand world class research in Biomedical Science with potential to impact in areas such as diagnosis of disease, challenging our understanding of disease mechanisms and diagnostic and translational applications. 

Research, Scholarship and Innovation

The School of Medicine seeks candidates who can show evidence of quality research outputs with impact, both within and beyond academia. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in their discipline with the potential to grow as a future research leader. Impact or prospective impact in one’s research, aligned with international standards in the broad biomedical sciences is essential.

Evidence of excellence in research and scholarship is expected commensurate with their career stage. This includes but is not limited to the following:

• Applicants should have an excellent track record of research outputs in their discipline, as appropriate to their career stage;
• Evidence of publication in leading peer-reviewed international journals, presentations at international conferences, and publication of peer-reviewed book chapters, books and/or monographs as appropriate to disciplinary norms;
• Evidence of a coherent research strategy, a plan for assembling a research team and a strategy for future research dissemination;
• Experience or collaborations with international networks in the discipline domain are highly desirable;
• Knowledge of the external funding environment or engagement with the process of initiating external research funding and a demonstration of the potential of achieving competitively won national or international funding. We especially encourage applicants with drive and ambition in applying for external research funding and creating impact through research. The preparation and submission of applications for extramural research funding will be expected as part of the Assistant Professor role;
• Experience of mentorship/supervision of student research projects at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level;
• Evidence of innovation through commercialisation activity, invention disclosures and/or patent applications;
• Active membership in national or international learned societies or committees, where these relate to the research and scholarly work of the individual.

Mentorship and Career Planning

The appointee will be assigned a mentor within the School of Medicine or outside of the School under the UL Mentorship programme to guide their career development. A range of supports in career advancement are available. Working with their mentor and line manager during their first year of service, the Assistant Professor will develop a career plan as part of professional development. The plan will foster a long-term career orientation that will set the faculty member on course for developing an international profile in their discipline and carving out a rewarding and satisfying academic career. In the case of newly appointed Assistant Professors, the career plan will avoid heavy administrative duties such as large course directorships, during the first 3 to 5 years. The plan will be expected to include a focus on research funding and will identify resources required to facilitate its achievement.

University of Limerick has a range of research resources in place across the ecosystem, from proposal development, post-award, technology transfer, research impact, ethics and research integrity together with administrative support at the department/school level.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The University of Limerick encourages scholarship and research in teaching and learning, to help ensure that effective teaching is valued, supported, and developed and to encourage innovation in teaching and learning activities. Enhancing the learning and development experience for both academics and students is a vital consideration for the University and supported by the Centre for Transformative Learning.

Extensive experience in teaching is a strength, but not a requirement, for new Assistant Professors. University of Limerick offers pedagogical training to support faculty for a career in academia. In the first years of the role, the appointee should undertake University of Limerick’s Post-Graduate Certificate in Learning, Teaching & Assessment in Higher Education. This is not necessary if the applicant has already fully completed a similar qualification at another university. The appointee will be assigned relevant teaching modules by the Head of the Department/School. While full responsibility for a module is not required at entry, it is advantageous. Additionally, teaching-related experience is desirable.

Such teaching experience related to the delivery of effective teaching, learning, and assessment would include:

• A demonstrated ability to deliver lectures to small and large class sizes and different student cohorts;
• A demonstrated ability to contribute to the design and delivery of modules;
• A demonstrated ability to engage in curriculum design and innovation;
• A demonstrated willingness to participate in continuous professional development in teaching and learning;
• Engagement with student learning, including the supervision of students (e.g. undergraduates, masters’ students and PhD students).

Academic Service & Contribution to Society

The successful candidate will demonstrate a proactive, collegial approach and will actively contribute to advancing the strategic goals of the University and Faculty. While prior experience in service roles is advantageous, it is not required at the Assistant Professor level.

Relevant Service contributions may include:

• Active contribution to the effective administration and functioning of the university, for example- serving on school/college/institute/university committees or boards;
• Participation in on-campus open days, student recruitment drives, and other appropriate outreach activities which contribute to the mission of the School/Department;
• Undertake appropriate administrative and managerial tasks that benefit the discipline & institution;
• Involvement in relevant academic & professional associations.

Essential Criteria

• BSc (Hons) in relevant field.
• PhD in relevant discipline such as Biomedical Science, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or a closely related discipline;
• Inclusion of a clear and articulated research vision statement to realise research ambitions that include building a research team in the future within the School of Medicine (500 words max);
• Demonstrable commitment to developing a funding strategy and have a short term and medium-term research plan;
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience post PhD in a Third Level Academic Institution;
• A strong record of excellent research outputs as demonstrated by high impact senior author publications in leading peer-reviewed journals (min 3 first author/senior author);
• Evidence of leading research projects and working within interdisciplinary teams;
• Evidence of success in obtaining substantial competitive funding as leading co-applicant or principal applicant as appropriate to career stage;
• Evidence of interdisciplinary research;
• Evidence of supervision and mentoring of PhD students, Postdoctoral researchers and/or early career researchers;
• Commitment to integrating research into teaching and education;
• Knowledge of Biomedical teaching for either undergraduate, postgraduate students and/or healthcare professionals;
• Knowledge of using technology and e-learning materials to teach and assess across the biomedical sciences;
• Ability to develop course material in a medical or other healthcare area;
• Experience in modern medical education assessment methods;
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to engage with a variety of stakeholders;
• An understanding of and demonstrable commitment to the School’s Values of holding its staff, students, patients, and community at its core and promoting quality, excellence, and social accountability while fostering a positive and professional work environment.

Desirable Criteria

• Prior experience of service contribution in an academic institution;
• Evidence of working on research teams and with clinicians;
• Experience in small group and large group teaching and student assessment;
• Experience in curriculum development.