Research Project Manager
NFB Research Group
A SFI-Strategic Research Cluster
The Biomaterials-Tissue Engineering Research Group at NUI Galway has recently been awarded a Science
Foundation Ireland Strategic Research Cluster award to establish the Network of Excellence for Functional
Biomaterials. To support this major five-year collaborative research and development programme that brings
together leading medical device companies, NUI Galway and its collaborative R&D partners, we wish to
recruit an experienced Research Project Manager. The candidate recruited will work as part of a joint
industry-academic research team based in the NFB Research Group at the National Centre for Biomedical
Engineering Science (www.NCBES.ie), National University of Ireland, Galway.
Job description
The Research Project Manager will be responsible for the technical and operational management of the NFB-
industry partner collaborative research programme, with specific responsibility for the day-to-day
supervision of research staff as well as overall management of the research programme. This research team
will consist of NUI Galway researchers and industry-partner (NUI Galway-based) researchers as well as
contributing directly to the successful delivery of the research programme technical objectives.
Responsibilities also include reporting (oral and written reports) to the NFB programme management team,
the NFB programme Steering Group and SFI and other funding agencies, as required. The successful
candidate will also be responsible for the management of the recurrent budget, including in particular, the
laboratory-associated budget and spend. Additionally, the Research Project Manager will be involved in the
development and implementation of programme requirements for planning, quality control and
documentation control. Participation in reviews of programme team staff performances may be required. In
addition the Research Project Manager will lead the program in nucleus pulposus tissue engineering in the
NFB.
Skills required:
PhD degree in a Biomaterials-related field
Relevant research experience in an academic and/or industry R&D environment
Track record of demonstrable accomplishments in R&D biomedical assay development (specifically in
the area of nucleus pulposus tissue engineering).
Experience in assay design problem-solving and troubleshooting
Publication track-record and evidence of extensive technical report writing and presentation skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Evidence and track record of leadership and people management skills
Experience in grant writing (SFI, HRB)
High level of IT skills: proficiency in the full Microsoft Office package and use of the Internet
Team player with good organisational skills
Good initiative and flexibility
Duties to include:
Day-to-day management of the NFB-industry collaborative NFB research programme
Day-to-day operational management of the NFB research programme
Participation in the research programme as a laboratory research scientist, as required
Providing technical training of NFB programme staff
Allocating research staff to specific tasks on an ongoing basis
Planning, scheduling and assignment of the NFB project research tasks in line with project milestones
and deliverables
Supervising work carried out by the NFB programme research team on a day-to-day basis
Ensuring that research programme requirements in terms of documentation of the project activities
and milestones are adhered to
Ensuring that project work is performed in line with Health and Safety and other relevant NUI
Galway College policies
Representing the NFB programme team, as required, at local, national and international events
(including talks, panel discussions, meetings with funding agencies, industry representatives, etc.)
Representing the NFB in meetings with potential industrial and academic partners
Monitoring of progress towards milestones and deliverables
Ensuring that research programme timelines are adhered to and targets met
Reporting progress to the Technical Director and providing information to the NFB programme
Management Committee
Performance management and annual review of research staff performance
Participating in meetings with Director and senior management including NFB Management
Committee management team, Oversight Board , Scientific Advisory Board IP Committee and SFI,
as required
Managing the research programme laboratory spend (materials) budget and involvement in overall
project budget management
Maintaining confidentiality of all background IP, foreground IP and research results emerging from
the project
Managing the identification of and patent protection of intellectual property generated in the work-
programme
Supporting NFB’s educational programmes
Representing the NFB programme team at meetings with industry representatives to ensure
commercial exploitation of research results
Co-coordinating research proposals and generation of research data
Management of reporting on programme
Preparing and delivering periodic reports for the Director and senior management including NFB
Management Committee, NFB Oversight Board, NFB Scientific Advisory Board, NFB IP Committee
and SFI, as required.
Presenting technical updates to Director and senior management including NFB Management
Committee, NFB Oversight Board, NFB Scientific Advisory Board, NFB IP Committee and SFI, as
required.
Liaising with NUI Galway accounts department for the preparation of cost statements
Starting salary: €45,401 Start date: Mar/Apr 2008 (fixed term contract to Nov 2010)
For further information and/or informal discussions about this post, please contact Professor Pandit by phone
at +353 (0) 91 492758 or by email at Abhay.pandit@nuigalway.ie .
TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should send a detailed CV (including details of all third-level university courses &
marks) with covering letter and the names and addresses of at least three and not more than five referees via
e-mail (in word or PDF format only) to Ms. Emma Brinton at emma.brinton@nuigalway.ie. Please specify
for which post you are applying.
Please send postal applications to Ms. Emma Brinton, National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science,
National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday, February 15th 2008.