Organisation/Company University College Cork Department HR Research Research Field Environmental science » Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country Ireland Application Deadline 10 Jul 2025 - 12:00 (Europe/Dublin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time 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
28 Months, Fixed-Term, Whole-Time Post
Position Summary
Applications are invited for the role of Post-Doctoral Researcher within the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science.
We are seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Postdoctoral Researcher to join the interdisciplinary BLUESHORES project at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork. This EU-funded project focuses on the development and validation of novel Hybrid Blue-Green Infrastructure (HBGI) to enhance shoreline resilience, support biodiversity, and integrate ecological and societal benefits across European estuarine and coastal environments. The successful candidate will be physically based in Cork, Ireland, and will work closely with international partners on the logistics, implementation, and evaluation of experimental eco-engineering structures across three European study sites.
The successful candidate will be expected to undertake the following:
* Lead and contribute to fieldwork and data collection at the Irish study site (Cork Harbour), including baseline ecological assessments, habitat restoration monitoring, and performance evaluation of Hybrid Blue-Green Infrastructure (HBGI) elements (e.g., wave attenuation, sediment dynamics, biodiversity metrics).
* Coordinate and participate in stakeholder engagement activities including workshops, interviews, and focus groups, using participatory methods to co-design nature-based shoreline protection solute
* Collaborate with project partners to develop and refine indicators for evaluating technical, ecological, and societal performance of HBGI interventions.
* Support the setup and monitoring of experimental HBGI deployments, using tools such as LiDAR, wave sensors, sediment elevation devices, and biodiversity sampling techniques.
* Contribute to the design and implementation of opinion surveys to assess public appreciation and perception of eco-engineering interventions.
* Assist in the integration of findings across project work packages, contributing to the development of assessment frameworks, modelling inputs, and design optimisations.
* Prepare scientific manuscripts, project deliverables, and reports, and present research findings at consortium meetings and international conferences.
* Contribute to the administrative and reporting requirements of the EU project, including documentation of field protocols and data management.
* Support the PI and wider project team in mentoring students, organising stakeholder events, and promoting the research through outreach and dissemination activities.
Project Title: BLUESHORES: Developing Hybrid Multifunctional Foreshore Infrastructure that Optimises Environmental and Blue Economy Benefits.
Post Duration: 28 Months
Salary: €45,847 – €52,339 per annum, IUA PD1 Salary Scale
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Louise Firth, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sustainability, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Tel: + 353 (0) 21 490 4626; Email: louise.firth@ucc.ie
This title will apply to newly qualified Post-Doctoral Researchers and will be considered as a period of training as the researcher will have dual goals in terms of the research project and their own career development. The researcher will be mentored by a Principal Investigator (PI). It is expected that a researcher would spend not more than 3 years at the Post Doctoral level, subject to the term of the project and would then be eligible to compete for a Senior Post Doctoral post advertised by the University.
Achievement of the expected progression within Post Doc and Senior Post Doc is transferable between the Irish HEI’s. This can be reflected in the starting pay of a PD researcher. Similarly, as the PD scheme is an intergenerational training scheme completion of PD1 or PD 2 levels in one HEI will normally render that researcher ineligible for appointment at a similar level in another Irish HEI Researcher Career Development Framework | Irish Universities Association
The primary focus of the Postdoctoral Researcher will be research however a particular emphasis during this stage should include:
* To conduct a specified programme of research under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator/Project Leader.
* 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.
* Lead and contribute to fieldwork and data collection at the Irish study site (Cork Harbour), including baseline ecological assessments, habitat restoration monitoring, and performance evaluation of Hybrid Blue-Green Infrastructure (HBGI) elements (e.g., wave attenuation, sediment dynamics, biodiversity metrics).
* Coordinate and participate in stakeholder engagement activities including workshops, interviews, and focus groups, using participatory methods to co-design nature-based shoreline protection solutions.
* Collaborate with project partners to develop and refine indicators for evaluating technical, ecological, and societal performance of HBGI interventions.
* Support the setup and monitoring of experimental HBGI deployments, using tools such as LiDAR, wave sensors, sediment elevation devices, and biodiversity sampling techniques.
* Contribute to the design and implementation of opinion surveys to assess public appreciation and perception of eco-engineering interventions.
* Assist in the integration of findings across project work packages, contributing to the development of assessment frameworks, modelling inputs, and design optimisations.
* Prepare scientific manuscripts, project deliverables, and reports, and present research findings at consortium meetings and international conferences.
* Contribute to the administrative and reporting requirements of the EU project, including documentation of field protocols and data management.
* Support the PI and wider project team in mentoring students, organising stakeholder events, and promoting the research through outreach and dissemination activities.
* To gain experience in grant writing.
* 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 engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of the research group, School or College.
* To interact closely with postgraduate research students who are studying for a Masters 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.
* To carry out administrative work to support the programme of research.
* To carry out additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.
* To contribute to costing research grant proposals and assist in the financial management of a research project.
Health & Safety: In addition to the statutory safety duties of all employees (as prescribed in safety legislation and the relevant local safety statement) each staff member is responsible for:
* Discharging any safety functions delegated to them by their Head of College \ School \ Department \ Centre \ Unit, in relation to the areas/ activities under their control
* Co-operating and assisting the University and the Head of College \ School \ Department \ Centre \ Unit in the discharge of their statutory safety responsibilities
* Ensuring that all work under their control, is undertaken safely and without risk to health and complies with the provision of all relevant statutory legislation
Note: As the university continues to expand and evolve, it is likely that flexibility in regard to the allocation of specific duties will be necessary. Accordingly, the list of duties specified above is not intended to be exclusive or restrictive; duties may be added or withdrawn but any such alteration will take place after consultation with the appointee.
Specific Requirements
SELECTION CRITERIA
The successful candidate will be expected to have:
* A PhD qualification in Marine Ecology, Coastal Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field.
* Demonstrated experience in field-based ecological or environmental research.
* Appropriate research experience.
* Strong analytical skills, with experience in quantitative data analysis and/or ecological monitoring methods.
* Appropriate technical competence and accomplishment.
* A capability of working within a project team to achieve results.
* Good communication, organisation and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to write scientific reports or publications.
* Experience working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
* A commitment to gaining practical experience working on a research project.
* Ability to work well within a team.
* Willingness to be based in Cork and conduct frequent fieldwork in estuarine and coastal environments
Please note that Garda vetting and international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
Candidates are requested to make a personal assessment of these criteria against their own qualifications, skills and abilities to assess whether they should apply for the post
Please note: Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the criteria as detailed above will not be short listed.
The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.
Languages ENGLISH
Research Field Environmental science » Other
Additional Information
Additional comments
Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal ( https://ore.ucc.ie/ ). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to recruitment@ucc.ie, quoting the job-title and project name.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Thursday, 10th of July 2025
No late applications will be accepted.
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.
UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated. As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC iscommitted to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff. We encourage applicants to consult our policies at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/policies/ and initiatives at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/implementation/ and we welcome applications from everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
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