Organisation/Company University College Cork Department HR Research Research Field Chemistry » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Bachelor Positions Country Ireland Application Deadline 29 Aug 2025 - 12:00 (Europe/Dublin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Part-time Hours Per Week 29.25 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
The Virtual Labs project is a HEA funded (Irish Government’s Human Capital Initiative, HCI, supported by the National Training Fund) initiative. This inter-institutional (involving MU, DkIT, TUS, UCC and DCU) educational initiative is using virtual laboratories as a teaching tool for the experimental sciences. The initiative will also involve working with both education technology providers, industry stakeholders and student partners. The initiative is to develop courses in which a virtual laboratory experience is complemented with a real laboratory experience (blended approach).
Our aim is to help reinforce practical techniques and concepts and support enquiry-based learning, teamwork, management and project work and transversal skills. The project also will give students the opportunity to experience a real-work environment through virtual training and engagement with enterprise partners. Engagement with enterprise stakeholders is also critical for the project and will involve industry input in the design of laboratory video content and the development of VR labs.
The SMART goals of our initiative are informed by best practice and by engaging with our students. Through focus group meetings we have identified that our students want more freedom in designing and carrying out laboratory experiments, desire more engagement with industry and want to develop more transversal skills, making them more employable.
Therefore, our goals are:
1) Develop a blended approach in laboratory education for 1st and 2nd year students to enhance the learning of chemistry concepts and promote student engagement, retention and progression, addressing one of the key performance frameworks.
2) Generate a virtual/experimental environment centred on team work, coupled with other team development digital tools for final year and MSc students.
3) Create a real work-like environment so that 3rd, 4th and MSc students can become more industry-ready .
4) Engage with enterprise stakeholders to provide a stronger link between our students and industry.
The role of the Research Assistant (RA) will involve working closely with the Principle Investigator on all aspects of the project goals listed above. A key role for the RA will be assisting with the development of bespoke short laboratory videos for use in teaching and training of laboratory practical’s. They will work with project team and partners to storyboard and create these laboratory videos using the facilities of the Science Studio. They will also assist in developing surveys (student/staff/industry), analysing the data, writing reports and performing necessary administration tasks. Candidates must have some experience in working on projects and have a knowledge of online and blended teaching delivery. The project has a number of innovative elements such as virtual laboratories and virtual gaming and the candidate must have a background in demonstrating laboratories and also experience in online delivery of practical’s. An understanding of developing video content will be advantageous and how these tools can be used to enhance problem solving skills of students.
Project Title: Virtual Laboratories in higher education as an innovative pedagogical tool to improve student engagement and learning and to teach enterprise relevant transversal skill.
Post Duration: 15 Months, Part-Time Post (0.75FTE)
The key duties and responsibilities include:
* To work under the direction of the Principal Investigator/Project Leader.
* To provide assistance in conducting research activities, including planning, organizing, conducting, and communicating research studies within the overall scope of a research project.
* To engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities as required by the Principal Investigator, School or College in order to develop research skills and competencies.
* To engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which they are engaged, as directed by, with the support of and under the supervision of a Principal Investigator.
* To become familiar with the publication process.
* To acquire generic and transferable skills (including project management, business skills and postgraduate mentoring/supervision).
* To develop bespoke short laboratory videos for the delivery of pre and post laboratory video content for UG and PG teaching.
* To coordinate and perform a variety of independent and team activities involved in the collection, analysis, documentation and some interpretation of information/results.
* To undertake tasks which may include recording results and preparing technical reports including conclusions and recommendations. To coordinate the development of forms, questionnaires and the application of qualitative and quantitative research techniques; write procedures manuals for data collection and coding.
* To present information on research progress and outcomes to others responsible for the research project.
* To interact closely with postgraduate research students who are studying for a Master’s or a PhD and possibly have an agreed role in supporting these students in their day to day research in conjunction with an academic supervisor.
* Ideally to contribute to the publication of findings.
* To confer with the Principal Investigator in developing plans for research projects and to discuss the interpretation of results and the preparation of manuscripts for publication.
* To perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
Specific Requirements
SELECTION CRITERIA
The successful candidate will be expected to have:
* A graduate qualification in a field of discipline relevant to the area of investigation i.e. MSc.
* Appropriate research experience.
* Good report writing and presentation skills
* Good analytical skills and computer skills.
* Appropriate technical competence and accomplishment.
* An ability to work independently to a tight schedule.
* Capability of working effectively within a team to achieve results.
* Evidence of excellent organisational and communication skills.
* High levels of initiative are encouraged.
* Previous laboratory experience and practices are desired (if relevant).
* Experience with creating video content.
* Experience with supervising and demonstrating laboratory practicals.
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