Associate Professor in Cellular and Molecular Biology

Associate Professor in Cellular and Molecular Biology

University of Limerick

Limerick, Ireland

JOB DESCRIPTION

If you are seeking an academic career in an inspiring and cohesive Biological Science Department that delivers excellent research, teaching, and societal impact, then the new permanent Associate Professor B in Cellular and Molecular Biology position in our department should be of interest to you.

The Department of Biological Sciences welcomes applications for the permanent position of Associate Professor B in Cellular and Molecular Biology. We are looking for an academic with the capacity to build a well-funded research programme of international significance, producing high-quality research outputs that will make a tangible impact on society's global challenges. This research programme will complement the teaching of Bioscience at the MSc and BSc levels at the University of Limerick.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Doctoral degree (level 10 NFQ) in cell biology, analytical bioscience, molecular medicine, neuroscience, microbiology, or closely related disciplines.

Research, Scholarship and Innovation

The Department of Biological Sciences seeks candidates with proven/established record of high- quality impactful research both within and beyond academia. We seek a Biologist with expertise in cell and tissue biology, including the use of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiomics, or related cell-based analyses. We are particularly interested in an outstanding candidate with a strong research record in advanced cell biology to understand disease and cellular processes who will contribute to our department’s core bioscience research areas in cancer research, neurobiology, immunity, or microbiology, as evidenced by high-impact publications. The candidate will join a vibrant and multidisciplinary academic environment, collaborating and publishing with researchers across molecular biosciences both within UL, nationally and internationally. The successful candidate will work independently and contribute to research centres/groups, such as the Bernal Institute and the Health Research Institute (http://www.ul.ie/research/hri), to develop and enhance the field of biomolecular science.

Evidence of existing and potential excellence and in research and scholarship is expected. This includes but is not limited to the following:

• Regular publication of research findings in reputable peer-reviewed international journals and/or with other prestigious publishers (as appropriate to the discipline) with a focus on the quality and impact of the research inside and beyond academia.
• Evidence of a strategy for future research focus and impact leading to an increasing recognised internationally academic profile.
• Invited reviewer in quality journals and may serve in editorial role for a volume with a prestigious publisher.
• 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 demonstrating the potential of achieving competitively won national or international funding as principal investigator or co-investigator.
• Evidence of successful supervision of Masters/PhD level students as primary supervisor or co-supervisor, ensuring they meet their research goals and milestones.

Mentorship and career planning

The appointee may be assigned a mentor within the Department/School and one 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 Head of Department, during their first year of service, the Associate Professor B 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. The plan will also identify resources required to facilitate its achievement.

The University of Limerick has a range of supports available for the creation of a research agenda enabled through competitive research funding.

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 teachers and students is a vital consideration for the University and supported by the Centre for Transformative Learning.

Experience in teaching is a requirement for an Associate Professor. The University of Limerick also offers pedagogical training to prepare faculty for an all-round career in academia including the 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. Teaching experience related to the delivery of effective teaching, learning, and assessment should include:

• The ability to design curricula and plan learning activities at module and programme level (including course/programme proposals).
• Appreciation of quality assurance and enhancement as well as the wider context for academic and professional practice of teaching at module and programme level.
• The ability to co-ordinate, support, supervise, manage and/or mentor others (whether individuals and/or teams) in relation to teaching and learning at module and programme level.
• Participation in curriculum review processes and provides constructive feedback for continuous improvement.
• Engagement in reflective practice to assess teaching effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Seeks feedback from students and colleagues to enhance teaching practices and pedagogical approaches.
• Demonstration of an understanding of diverse student needs, backgrounds, and learning styles.
• Provides timely and constructive feedback to students to support their learning and development.

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. Prior experience of service contribution, including under the following headings, would be advantageous:

• Contribution to the effective administration and functioning of the university, for example, active membership of department/institute/university committees and boards.
• Participation in peer review processes for academic programs, course development, or faculty evaluations.
• Demonstration leadership within their academic unit or department by actively participating in decision-making processes and contributing to the achievement of departmental goals.
• Collaboration with colleagues to implement initiatives that support the mission and vision of the academic unit and contribute to overall institutional objectives.
• Evidence of active membership in national or international learned societies or committees, where these relate to the research and scholarly work of the individual.

Essential Criteria:

• Primary degree (level 8 NFQ) in biological sciences or a closely related area.
• Doctoral degree (level 10 NFQ) in cell biology, molecular medicine, neuroscience, analytical bioscience, microbiology, or closely related disciplines.
• Minimum of 3 years (or equivalent) relevant experience post doctoral degree.
• Track record of publishing in relevant peer-reviewed top-tier journals and books by prestigious publishers post doctoral degree in one or more of the following areas:
  • Generating and analysing tissues and advanced cell model systems (for example, using CRISPR, iPSC-derived 2D and 3D models, and organ-on-a-chip systems) with molecular and omics approaches to understand disease (in the areas of cancer research, neurobiology, and/or infection and immunity) or microorganisms in general.
  • Employing molecular technologies (e.g., transcriptomics, proteomics, microbiomics) alongside bioinformatics-driven analyses in cell biology or microbiology in combination with experimental validation techniques.
• Experience preparing research proposals to obtain competitive/prestigious funding from applied or basic external sources.
• Evidence of teaching and assessment at third-level institutions in molecular medicine, cell biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, or closely related disciplines (through lectures, laboratory classes, and tutorials).
• Proven ability to teach and mentor students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Ability to participate in and contribute to the overall intellectual life and administrative roles of the University, the academic discipline, and society.
• A research impact statement (500 words max).
• A statement on your teaching philosophy and reflection (500 words max).

Desirable Criteria:

• Evidence of roles of responsibility directing independent research projects and an established track record in generating external research income.
• Qualification in teaching to third-level students.
• Prior experience of service contribution in an academic institution including course/module material development and delivery in a third-level setting, preferably to bioscience or biomolecular science students. Relevant experience in non-academic institutions is also appropriate.
• Successful track record in supervising Final Year Projects (i.e., BSc), MSc, and/or PhD candidates.
• Familiarity with cloud computing or high-performance computing for large-scale omics data analysis.
• Experience performing administrative tasks and contributing to periodic departmental and programme reviews and reports.
• Evidence of international collaboration projects and/or publications.
• Evidence of fostering diversity and inclusion in teaching and research.

Apply NowDeadline 14 July