Research Project Manager

Brightwater Recruitment; Dublin; On-site; EUR 78,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightwater Recruitment is seeking a Programme Manager to join the Research for Society Directorate on a temporary 3‑month contract, onsite in Dublin. You will lead a small team (2–3 people) and drive a new workstream, overseeing deliverables, budgets and milestones while building high‑level relationships with researchers, policymakers and partners.

The role requires a third‑level qualification (PhD/MBA/Master’s preferred), proven project management experience, and strong communication skills to

Qualifications

• PhD, MBA or Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience planning, executing and monitoring complex projects.
• Proven ability to lead small teams (2–3 people).
• Strong relationships with multi-sector groups (researchers, policymakers, industry).
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication.

Responsibilities

• Design, setup and rollout of a new workstream within the directorate.
• Manage and mentor a small team (2–3 people) with clear direction.
• Oversee programme deliverables, budgets and milestones.
• Build strategic relationships across sectors including academia, policymakers and industry.
• Evaluate outcomes, measure impact and synthesize insights for decisions.
• Deliver clear written and verbal updates to stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

PhD / MBA / Master’s degree

Job description

Contract Duration: Temporary position for approx. 3 Months / until Dec. 2026 (Full-Time or Part-Time, minimum 3 days/week)

Location: Office-based (Dublin, Ireland)

Our client are a premier national funding agency dedicated to driving world-class research and innovation across all academic disciplines - including Arts, Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, and Technology. By advancing challenge-based research, policy collaborations and public engagement initiatives, they empower talent and foster impactful solutions to societal challenges.

We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager to join our clients' Research for Society Directorate on a three-month temporary contract. You will play a critical role in supporting a new workstream and leading a small operational team (2–3 people). This is a fully onsite position open to full-time Monday - Friday candidates or part-time with minimum 3 days onsite per week.

This unit oversees high-profile initiatives, including challenge-based funding funds, policy fellowships connecting researchers with decision-makers and nationwide public engagement campaigns (such as major science and educational initiatives).

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design, setup, and rollout of a brand-new workstream within the directorate.
• Manage and mentor a small team (2–3 people), ensuring clear direction and effective daily execution.
• Oversee programme deliverables, manage project budgets and track key operational milestones.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships across diverse sectors, including academic researchers, policymakers, investors and public partners.
• Evaluate programme outcomes, measure impact and synthesize complex insights to inform strategic decisions.
• Deliver persuasive, clear written and verbal communications to present key updates and initiatives to internal and external stakeholders.

Key Requirements

• Third-level qualification (PhD, MBA, or Master’s degree preferred).
• Proven experience planning, executing and monitoring complex projects to successful completion within similar industries.
• Track record of managing, guiding, or coordinating small teams (2–3 people).
• Practical understanding of the research landscape, academic sector or funding frameworks.
• Strong ability to build high-level relationships with multi-sectoral groups (researchers, policymakers, and industry partners).
• Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal abilities to present ideas convincingly and work collaboratively.
• Ability to resolve complex issues, exercise sound judgment, and drive daily execution alongside strategic goals.

Working Arrangement

• Type: Full-time or part-time (minimum 3 days per week).
• Workplace: On-site office position in Dublin 2

Remuneration

Hourly rate: €45 per hour paid weekly via Brightwater. Equivalent to annual salary of €83,000.

Note on Role Alignment: This position focuses specifically on academic research funding, public policy development and societal engagement. Candidates whose project management experience is predominantly in commercial IT/software development, construction/engineering or general logistics may find that their background does not align with the core focus of this temporary role.