Graduate positions – Construct Innovate Work Ready Graduate Programme
School of Engineering – College of Science and Engineering
Ref.
No.
011531
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for full-time fixed term positions as a Research Assistant on the Construct Innovate Work Ready Graduate Programme with the School of Engineering and Construct Innovate at University of Galway, Ireland.
This position is funded by Enterprise Ireland (EI) though Construct Innovate, under the 2026/2027 Work Ready Graduate Programme and is available from 07.09.2026 to contract end date of 04.09.2027.
Position
Construct Innovate is Ireland's national centre for construction technology & innovation (http://www.constructinnovate.ie).
The Centre is an Enterprise Ireland funded Technology Centre, hosted by University of Galway.
It was established in December 2022 to help address the challenges facing the Irish construction and built environment sector to improve its efficiency, sustainability and find the required building capacity to deliver the demands on the sector over the next decade and onwards.
Construct Innovate is a member-based Technology Centre linking academia and industry through its membership structure.
The Centre's members include Research Performing Organisation (RPO's), including University of Galway, UCD, Trinity College, UCC, Irish Green Building Council, TU Dublin, SETU, ATU, MTU, Maynooth University and University of Limerick and over 100 industry organisations with a stakehold in the Irish construction industry.
A full list of members can be found on the Construct Innovate website: https://constructinnovate.ie/about-us/members
Subject to final EI approval and funding confirmation, Construct Innovate's "Work Ready Graduate Programme" will commence in September 2026.
This is a year-long programme that matches recently qualified graduates with our industry members and involves a 12 month secondment into a matched Host organisation (industry member).
The programme also provides training, mentorship and support to the graduates through Construct Innovate.
Training will occur in parallel to the industry secondment and will involve participants undertaking a Post-Graduate Diploma (PGDip) in Construction Innovation from University of Galway over the course of the 12-month programme.
Upon successful completion, graduates will receive a fully accredited qualification from University of Galway.
The delivery of this course will include mentorship and support from Construct Innovate and University of Galway for the candidate and participating industry organisation throughout the programme.
The successful candidates will be employed by the University of Galway for the duration of the 12-month programme.
They will be matched with, and seconded to, one of Construct Innovate's 100+ industry members working in an area of the Irish construction & built environment sector which fits with the successful graduates' skillset and qualifications for the duration of this period.
They will predominantly be based in the member organisation's company for the duration of the programme.
Some of our industry member companies who have expressed interest in the programme to date include (but not limited to):
Arup - https://www.arup.com/
Cleartech Engineering - https://www.cleartech.ie/
H J Lyons Architects - https://henryjlyons.com/
Amplitude Acoustics - https://amplitudeacoustics.com/
OCC Construction - https://occo.ie/
Roughan & O'Donovan Consulting Engineers - https://www.rod.ie/
Scott Tallon Walker Architects - https://www.stwarchitects.com/
John Sisk and Son - https://www.johnsiskandson.com/
Ardmac - https://www.ardmac.com/
On completion of the programme, the candidate will have received valuable exposure to an industry working environment including real-world projects, while receiving both organisation and Construct Innovate support.
They will also receive a Post-Graduate Diploma qualification in Construction Innovation from the University of Galway upon successful completion of the training programme.
In addition to the valuable experience and upskilling they will gain during the programme, the candidate's enhanced understanding of research and of Construct Innovate's work will serve them well as they continue into their post-academic careers.
The network of academics, industry colleagues and other programme graduates with whom they will develop relationships over the duration of the programme can be a significant source of knowledge and support in their future career development also.
For the duration of the programme, successful candidates will receive one to one mentoring from Construct Innovate mentors, academics, researchers and the in-house operational team, as well as from within the industry organisations to which they are seconded.
In the case where follow on research funding (e.g.: Construct Innovate Seed Fund Call or other collaborative research proposal with an Associate Member) has been successfully secured by the industry member organisation, the graduate's contract may be extended to assist with the delivery of the funded project.
Duties
Partake in duties assigned to you by the industry organisation to which you are seconded for the duration of the programme.
This is to include compliance with all organisational policies and procedures to ensure safety and integrity of the work being undertaken while carrying out tasks assigned to you.
Follow instruction and direction of the line manager to which you are assigned within the industry company to which you are seconded for the duration of the programme.
Partake in any in-house training scheme or courses run within the industry organisation to which you are seconded.
Partake, in full, in the activities required while undertaking the Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Innovation at University of Galway.
This will include both remote and in-person work to complete each module of the course.
It will also include an Innovation Project where participants, working in teams will complete a project on a real‑world challenge in the construction/built environment area.
Actively participate as a member of any project or research team to which you are assigned, either as part of the work undertaken in the industry organisation or as part of the Postgraduate Diploma course work.
Where opportunities arise over the course of the programme, the candidate can be expected to write research grant proposals, such as Construct Innovate Seed Fund Call, to assist their industry organisation in applying for research funding.
If successfully funded, the candidate's contract may be extended to assist with the delivery of the proposed research project.
Seek support from the Construct Innovate Programme Manager and Construct Innovate assigned mentor as required for the duration of the programme.
This will also require the provision of feedback and some light reporting to Construct Innovate at points throughout the programme.
Travel to industry organisation offices, sites, field locations may be required.
Travel to University of Galway for in‑person events as part of the programme training schedule will be expected.
Travel to participate in other relevant Construct Innovate upskilling events and opportunities as required.
Management
Keep appropriate records as directed and in line with Industry Organisation/University policy.
Manage own personal capacity and resources (including, where required, laboratories and specialist equipment) appropriately to ensure both workload of the industry organisation and training coursework are completed to a satisfactory level.
Work under the direction of an academic mentor and industry line manager.
Plan and manage own day‑to‑day activity within this framework and direction.
Report information as required to either or both.
To carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post under the WRGP.
Other
Continue to update knowledge and develop skills.
Develop internal and external contacts with researchers in related areas, mentors and operational staff within Construct Innovate.
Champion the programme and contribute to testimonials.
May contribute to work of the College/School/Research Unit through activities such as student Open Days, other promotion activity as appropriate.
Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post.
Qualifications/Skills Required
A suitable candidate will have a Level 8 degree or HIGHER in disciplines relevant to the construction and built environment sector.
They should also have a specific interest in/focus on modern methodologies and ideologies being deployed in the construction and built environment sector such as MMC, digital tools and sustainability.
Candidates should have excellent communication and organisational skills; and have strong documentation, oral and interpersonal skills.
Essential Requirements
A suitable candidate will have completed at least a Level 8 degree or equivalent in disciplines relevant to the construction and built environment sector
The candidate must hold a qualification from an Irish university or higher education institution
Excellent verbal and written communication skills (English language)
Demonstrable time management skills showing ability to fulfil multiple tasks and responsibilities in parallel to a satisfactory conclusion for all stakeholders
Demonstrable suitability of fit with industry organisations who express interest in taking part in the programme.
Desirable Requirements
Interest in/focus on modern methodologies and ideologies being deployed in the construction and built environment sector such as MMC, digital tools and sustainability
Demonstrable experience in both independent and collaborative research/project work
Evidence of innovative thinking, able to work both independently and in cross-disciplinary teams
Evidence of innovative research and innovative research methodologies undertaken as part of undergraduate or postgraduate studies
Evidence of grant writing, research publication and dissemination of results at conferences and/or journals is desirable but not essential.
Salary
Point 9 of the Research Assistant salary €39,772 per annum if offered for the position.
In addition, the fees associated with the Postgraduate Diploma in Construct Innovation through University of Galway are covered by the programme and do not fall to either the candidate or the industry member organisation participating in the programme.
Start date
Candidates must be available to start on 7th September 2026 and the position is for a 12 month period.
Further Information Is Available At
Construct Innovate - Work Ready Graduate Programme 2026 – Construct Innovate
Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Maura Fleming, WRGP Officer, Construct Innovate – flemingmaura@universityofgalway.ie
To Apply
Search Current University of Galway vacancies.
Applications must be submitted online.
How to apply guide
Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on 12th February 2026
We reserve the right to re‑advertise or extend the closing date for this post.
University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.
All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment.
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