Researcher Support Officer - Admin. (Education & Public Engagement Officer) APC Microbiome Ireland

Organisation/Company University College Cork Department HR Research Research Field Medical sciences " Other Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Positions Research Support Positions Application Deadline 15 May 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Dublin) Country Ireland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Part-time Offer Starting Date 3 Jun 2026 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

Applications are invited for the role of Research Support Officer - Admin. (Education & Public Engagement Officer) in APC Microbiome Ireland. The Education and Public Engagement (EPE) Officer is a key member of the APC Microbiome Ireland Operations Team, responsible for the planning, coordination, and delivery of a high-quality programme of public engagement and educational activities centred around microbiome science. The role is ideally suited to an experienced event organiser with knowledge of the microbiome, a strong track record in managing complex, multi stakeholder events and delivering successful EPE programmes to time and budget.

The postholder leads the organisation of APC outreach and engagement activities for a wide range of audiences, including schools, Transition Year students, teachers, patient groups, and the general public. This includes coordinating established initiatives such as Food is Funky, the Budding Biologists Transition Year programme, school visits to the Centre, and APC's participation in local and national science festivals and exhibitions.

Drawing on excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, the EPE Officer works closely with APC researchers and operational colleagues to plan events, manage logistics, schedules, and resources, and ensure activities run smoothly and professionally. The role also supports the development of new engagement opportunities, contributes to internal planning and evaluation of activities against agreed targets, and helps foster a strong culture of public engagement across the Centre.

This position requires a highly organised, proactive individual with proven experience in event coordination, the ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously, and a clear passion for making science accessible and engaging for diverse audiences.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

• To support the Director or Head of the Research area to achieve the agreed strategic and administrative goals of the research area.
• To provide an effective administrative framework to support the ongoing development of the research project/area.
• To advise the Director/Head of the Research area of appropriate administrative structures and procedures to give effect to agreed and approved policies. To be responsible for the development and implementation of positive and appropriate administrative work practices.
• To implement agreed policy and procedures including administration, personnel, and resources for the overall development of the research project/area.
• To manage the secretarial/administrative functions as required.
• To allocate, delegate and supervise work of the administrative staff, as is appropriate, ensuring its effective operation.

RESEARCH

• To provide specific technical inputs to the research agenda such as literature review, data analysis and preparing reports. Writing and contributing to research reports, policy briefs and other documents.
• To support activities of the research project as required, such as assisting in workshops, producing written outputs, in conjunction with the Director/Head of the Research area.

POLICY ADVICE AND DISSEMINATION

• To present research results internally and externally at conferences, meetings, including preparing presentations.
• To disseminate research results through web pages, media conferences etc.
• To represent the research project/area at events, meetings and networking.

FINANCE

• To administer financial and budgetary functions, including purchasing and cost controls in consumables, equipments and part-time pay, in conjunction with the Director/Head of the Research area.
• To support researchers in the preparation of project proposals.
• Review and monitor the financial of all research grants and the overall research area.
• To propose strategic or operational priorities and to advise on achieving the effective and value-for-money allocation of budgets and resources.
• To ensure proper use of resources, compliance and integrity of systems in accordance with University policies, procedures and standards and in agreement with the Director/Head of the Research area.

PROMOTION/DEVELOPMENT

• To assist the Director/Head of the Research area with logistical planning of human, physical and financial requirements for the research project.
• To identify opportunities for external relationships and collaboration.
• To contribute to the development of the strong external links to business and industry.
• To contribute to the promotion and marketing of the research area.
• To produce, when required, appropriate promotional and marketing literature.

PERSONNEL

• To assist with the preparation of recruitment advertisements and job particulars for posts within the research area
• To assist with managing the administrative workloads to support the research project/area.
• To liaise with HR as required regarding on research staff personal details and/or terms and conditions of employments for research staff contracts.
• Work with the APC's Operations Team to develop and deliver the APC's EPE programmes
• Organise outreach activities tailored to key stakeholder groups, including patients and general public, teachers and school children
• Organise and coordinate APC activities at local and national science festivals and exhibitions e.g. Cork Science Week, Science Festival
• Organise and oversee the APC's Food is Funky monthly outreach workshops
• Motivate the full cadre of APC researchers to engage in EPE activities and identify EPE opportunities for all researchers
• Coordinate and organise the annual APC's Transition Year programme, Budding Biologists.
• Organise school visits to the centre and develop new relationships with primary and secondary schools, particularly DEIS schools
• Work with the APC operations team to coordinate and develop public information sessions on APC research and related topics
• Liaise with the APC operations team to develop relevant outreach content for the APC website and social media channels
• Training and developing the confidence of APC researchers to deliver EPE activities
• Participate on and organise the APC's EPE Committee meetings and ensure that any follow-up actions are implemented in full
• Collaborate with EPE colleagues in other centres and institutions locally and nationally to deliver jointly run EPE activities
• Contribute to the drafting of EPE material for APC annual reports, APC website, and other media
• Assist with other relevant duties as required from time to time

Specific Requirements

• A graduate qualification in a field or discipline relevant to the area of investigation i.e. BSc, MSc or PhD.
• Proven experience of providing high level administrative support to a research project or in a research area.
• Demonstrable achievements in delivering results on a research project or in a research area.
• Ability to interact with stakeholders from a range of disciplines.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Strong IT, report writing and organizational skills.
• High level of initiative.
• A good understanding of microbiome science and its implications for human and planetary health.
• Experience in organising and coordinating education and public engagement activities and events in a research centre.
• Experience of working in a research-intensive performance-driven environment.
• Excellent event organisation and communication skills.
• Ability to interact with stakeholders from a range of disciplines.
• Excellent team player with the ability to motivate others.
• A highly enthusiastic, dynamic individual with a passion for EPE.
• Experience supporting Engaged Research i.e. Citizen Science, Public & Patient Involvement in research (PPI) and/or community-based research
• Proven track record of achievement and delivering results
• Creativity, ability to work on own initiative, results-focused