Programme Officer

Research Ireland; Leinster; On-site; EUR 53,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined progression through grade

Defined Benefit Pension Scheme

Blended Working Policy

Modern office facilities with subsided

Life Insurance

29 Days Annual Leave

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Research Ireland is seeking a Programme Officer to support the Centres team in delivering the full lifecycle of research funding programmes. You will coordinate calls, reviews and post-award tasks, ensuring timely, accurate processes and strong stakeholder engagement.

The role requires a PhD and at least three years in research funding or programme management, with a collaborative, meticulous approach to ensure high standards and impact across Ireland’s research portfolio.

Qualifications

• Experience communicating effectively through written, verbal and presentation-based formats.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities, deadlines and processes with accuracy.
• Demonstrated understanding of governance and compliance in research funding environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operational activity for allocated calls and programme processes.
• Oversee peer review planning, documentation, and logistics.
• Coordinate post-award administration, deliverables, reporting and compliance checks.
• Maintain data quality in grant systems and provide audit-ready reporting.
• Draft and quality-check programme guidance, memos and communications.
• Identify risks and propose practical mitigations to improve delivery.
• Support stakeholder communications and ensure a positive applicant experience.
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce administrative burden and increase efficiency.
• Ensure operations align with Research Ireland policies and service standards.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Written and verbal communication

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in a relevant discipline

Job description

About Taighde Eireann - Research Ireland

Taighde Eireann - Research Ireland is the national research and innovation funding agency which was established on 1 August 2024; it amalgamates the activities of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. Research Ireland will drive world class research and innovation in Ireland, funding research and innovation excellence in all disciplines across the spectrum of Arts, Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, Technology and others.

Role Purpose

To deliver high-quality operations across the full programme lifecycle, from call development and proposal review to post-award management, reporting and close-out. The role manages the day-to-day delivery of allocated calls and grants, ensuring timely, accurate, well-governed activity supported by effective engagement with research experts and stakeholders. It enables Programme teams to operate effectively at scale while maintaining consistent standards and a strong stakeholder experience.

This represents an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified individual to join the Research Ireland Centres team and help shape one of Ireland’s most significant research and innovation investments. The team leads the strategic oversight, performance management and development of Research Ireland's portfolio of large-scale, multi-institutional research centres, supporting excellence in research, talent development, industry collaboration and societal impact.

The team also leads the stewardship of the recently launched Rinn Network, a €460 million national investment comprising seven large-scale research centres across areas including AI, energy, advanced therapies, medical devices, quantum science, semiconductors and pharma/biopharma. Designed as a new model of radical collaboration, the Rinn Network aims to strengthen Ireland's ability to mobilise research capability at scale and address major societal and economic challenges.

Reporting to a Programme Manager, the Programme Officer will take ownership of varied operational activities as part of a team delivering key aspects of Research Ireland's strategy. The role offers the opportunity to coordinate complex programme processes, turn evidence and stakeholder input into effective delivery and contribute practical ideas that improve how the team works. It will suit a highly organised and collaborative individual who is motivated by supporting ambitious research, strengthening partnerships and helping Ireland's Research Centres and the Rinn Network deliver meaningful economic and societal impact.

Core Accountabilities

• Manage and deliver day-to-day operational activity for allocated calls, awards or programme processes, ensuring work is completed to agreed timelines, quality standards and governance requirements.
• Responsible for the running of peer review processes, including planning, documentation, reviewer or panel logistics, query management and quality control.
• Manage post-award administration, including monitoring schedules, deliverables, reporting requirements, compliance checks and maintain records.
• Maintain programme data quality and integrity and documentation within grant management systems, trackers and reporting tools, ensuring a clear audit trail and reliable operational reporting.
• Draft, update and quality-check programme documentation, including guidance notes, templates, briefing material, operational memos and communications.
• Identify operational risks, issues and process gaps early, escalating material matters and proposing practical mitigations.
• Support clear and professional stakeholder communications, ensuring consistent messaging and a positive experience for applicants, reviewers, awardees and partners.
• Provide continuous improvement by identifying ways to simplify processes, reduce administrative burden and improve consistency across programme delivery.
• Operate in line with Research Ireland policies, governance standards, compliance requirements and agreed service expectations.

Desirable Experience

• Hold a PhD in a relevant discipline, ideally aligned with one of the strategic areas within the Research Centres/Rinn Network portfolio.
• At least three years' relevant experience in research, innovation, research funding, programme management or a related field.
• Demonstrated research track record and knowledge of good research practice and research assessment.
• Experience managing multiple competing priorities, deadlines and operational processes while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to produce accurate documentation, manage records and identify errors, inconsistencies or compliance risks.
• Experience identifying operational challenges and implementing practical improvements to processes, systems or ways of working.
• Experience communicating effectively through written, verbal and presentation-based formats, adapting messages for different audiences and purposes.
• Experience working effectively as part of a team, sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues and contributing to collective outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing processes, improving efficiency and reducing administrative burden while maintaining quality and compliance.
• Experience operating effectively in a fast-paced environment, managing changing priorities and responding constructively to new requirements or challenges.
• Have a professional and positive attitude, aligned to delivering the objectives and goals of Research Ireland.
• Ability to work well under pressure, demonstrating integrity, energy, and resilience.

Note: The role may require occasional travel, primarily within Ireland.

Salary:

Level D salary scale: €53,071 - €78,059 per annum (prorated) with contributory superannuation (pension). Government policy continues to be that starting pay on recruitment from open competition for all posts within the public sector should be at the minimum of the relevant salary scale and are not subject to negotiation. Remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.

Benefits:

We offer several key Benefits and perks, such as:

• Competitive salary with defined progression through the grade
• Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (Single Public Service Pension Scheme)
• Excellent progressive Policies including a favourable Blended Working Policy, Sick Leave, and other family-friendly policies
• Modern office facilities with a subsidised canteen
• Life Insurance
• 29 Days Annual Leave (Prorated)
• Learning and development opportunities

Additional Information

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend for an interview, which may include a competency-based interview, a presentation on a topic of relevance to the role and/ or other such assessment methods as deemed appropriate. Research Ireland reserves the right to invite candidates to a second-round interview and to undergo further assessment, including the use of psychometric assessment if so required.

Please note, interviews may take place over video-conference or other remote technology where appropriate.

Research Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace which values and benefits from the diversity of our workforce.