Research Associate/Postdoctoral Researcher – GenAI/LLMs (Data2Sustain) Data Science Institute, College of Science and Engineering
Posted : 25 September 2024
Closes : 9 October 2024

Research Associate/Postdoctoral Researcher – GenAI/LLMs (Data2Sustain) Data Science Institute, College of Science and Engineering

Ref. No. 010658

 JOB ADVERTISEMENT

 Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed-term position as a Research Associate/Postdoctoral Researcher – GenAI/LLMs (Data2Sustain) with the European Digital Innovation Hub & Insight SFI Research Centre, Data Science Institute, College of Science and Engineering at the University of Galway.

This position is funded by the European Digital Innovation Hub programme in Ireland (Recovery and Resilience Facility, managed by Enterprise Ireland) and is available from 7th November 2024 to contract end date of 31st January 2026.

Data2Sustain, a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) focuses on advancing digitalisation and data innovation for businesses and public bodies. Our funded consortium includes the region’s universities, hosted research centres, innovation gateways across ten locations and all the region’s business support agencies, led by a one-stop-shop Data2Sustain Director and Digital Leadership Group. With numerous services available, we help advance SMEs’ digital competitiveness and solutions with data-driven innovation projects, sector- relevant consultancy and pilots, business model development, ecosystem funding access, and skills and capacity building. We work to combine digital and technology expertise with domain, sector, and industry specific applications across all the expertise and networks of the universities and research and innovation capacity as well as our other partners.

Insight is the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for Data Analytics. It is one of the largest data analytics centres in Europe. It seeks to derive value from Big Data and provides innovative technology solutions for industry and society by enabling better decision-making. It supports 450 researchers across the country in areas such as the Fundamentals of Data Science, Sensing and Actuation, Scaling Algorithms, Model Building, Multi Modal Analysis, Data Engineering and Governance, Decision Making and Trustworthy AI.

Salary: Postdoctoral Researcher / Research Fellow salary scale €44,346 – €56,764 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.

The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.

(Research Salary Scales – University of Galway)

Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on 9th October 2024.  It will not be possible to consider applications received after the closing date.

Interviews are planned to be held on 15 October 2024.

 *Please review full job description for further details and essential requirement

 JOB DESCRIPTION

 Job Description:

The successful candidates will work as a Research Associate/Postdoctoral Researcher – GenAI/LLMs in the European Digital Innovation Hub, Data2Sustain, in the area of generative artificial intelligence and large language models. This is a role for a highly motivated problem-solver, with a creative and analytical mind, who is excited to build new solutions that will have a global impact.

Duties:

  • Enable Irish enterprises across various sectors to integrate digital solutions into their core business models;
  • Extend digital competencies (e.g., data analytics, artificial intelligence, interoperability/knowledge graphs, high performance and cloud computing, Internet of Things, and cybersecurity) and advanced skills in digital technologies to clients, especially Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Public Service Organisations (PSOs).
  • Work with a multidisciplinary team in the consortium to engage with and support clients implement proof-of-concepts and solutions to transform their business, strengthen their competitive position, and contribute proposals to the resolution of priority problems.
  • Develop soft prototypes and demonstration systems based on functional requirements from SMEs and PSOs.
  • Operate across a variety of regional Smart Specialisation Strategy priority areas: Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering; Audio Visual/Creative; Marine and Blue Economy; Renewable Energy, Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainability; Agri Food and AgTech; ICT and ICT Services; and Life Sciences, MedTech and Medical Devices.
  • Work as the technology liaison on projects in the various sectors with SMEs, startups and public sector organisations.
  • Gather, evaluate and clearly document business and digital solution requirements from users and customers of Data2Sustain and the University of Galway.
  • Work hands-on in the implementation of requirements into software solutions and digital business applications with other Data2Sustain and University of Galway staff and technologists.
  • Identify technical and project risks and issues that may arise during design, development, testing, delivery and operation,
  • Regularly provide progress reports to senior management and stakeholders.
  • Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

 Essential Requirements:

  • In a discipline relevant to digital technologies:
    • A Primary Degree (level 8) with 4 years full-time relevant research after primary degree,

OR

  • A
  • Strong knowledge of generative artificial intelligence and large language models
  • Problem analysis with good understanding of key digital technologies, particularly data analytics, AI, data science, interoperability/knowledge graphs, IoT, cloud computing, HPC.
  • Robust programming skills in Java and/or at least one other programming language (C, C++, Python, Scala).
  • Preparing requirements specification to define functional and non-functional requirements.
  • Demonstrate excellent documentation and reporting.

Desirable Requirements:

  • Customer engagement (client-facing) capabilities, communication skills with stakeholders at technical and executive levels.
  • Good presentation skills in dealing with personnel from industry, agencies, and internal Ability to support seminars, webinars and workshops with clients.
  • Ability and experience to independently research new sectors, business opportunities and applications of digital and data/AI analytics technologies in multiple industry domains, in collaboration with colleagues across the wider University of Galway and Data2Sustain consortium partners.
  • Understanding of service costing and financial reporting.
  • Exposure to Agile, PRINCE2 or similar (project) management frameworks.
  • Knowledge of key players, products and programmes (national and international) related to AI, data, cybersecurity, HPC, IoT, cloud, etc.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 Continuing Professional Development/Training:

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia. Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment – see HERE for further information.

Further Information/Links

 To apply: Jobs – University of Galway. Applications must be submitted