Postdoctoral researcher: Decentralised Data Sharing (2 Posts)

The Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics

Ref. No.(University of Galway 326-22)

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for two full- time fixed term 24-month contract positions as a post-doctoral researcher with the The Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics at the University of Galway.

The post-doctoral researchers will be expected to perform a research and development in the area decentralised information systems and data spaces within an established group of researchers and PhD students with expertise in data and knowledge engineering, data analytics and large scale data processing, as well as a long tradition of applying this expertise in various domains, including healthcare, education, sustainability, smart cities, privacy and digital humanities.

The post is part-funded through the Insight Centre and the Digital Europe project “DS4EU” that has been granted by the European Union. This project is highly interdisciplinary as it supports the advancement of data Spaces in Europe on an unprecedented scale with a European approach to data sharing that optimizes economic benefits combined with European values. The consortium comprises includes 15 European partners including academic and industry partners.

The successful candidates will have the opportunity to contribute the data landscape within Europe, establish principles for and develop tools to support best practices for data spaces, and support stakeholder awareness and education. You will participate in cross-consortium meetings with academic and industry project partners and engage within external events with stakeholders in the European Data Ecosystem.

The successful candidates will be based in the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics at the University of Galway. The candidates will be supported in their professional development, be able to avail of a range of career level focussed training opportunities, have the potential to publish research findings in leading journals and international events.

Job Description:

The successful candidates will be expected to perform a role in research, supervision, and research management. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Driving a research agenda on decentralised information systems and data spaces within the Centre.
  • Developing new directions of research leading to peer-reviewed publications in top conferences and journals.
  • Contributing to obtaining new research grants.
  • Contributing to the management of the team and the supervision of junior researchers.
  • Project management, reporting and team management for specific projects.
  • The project will involve international travel to consortium meetings and presentations of research at international conferences.

Duties:

The successful candidates will be expected to:

  • Conduct a programme of research in large-scale decentralised data sharing within data spaces.
  • Produce top-quality journal and conference publications, in collaboration with students and PIs.
  • Assist in the attraction of funding.
  • Provide support and advice to PhD students working on similar topics.
  • Assist the Principal Investigator in overseeing software and system development for various projects in the area of large-scale decentralised data sharing within data spaces.
  • Design and implementation of industrial prototype demonstrators.
  • Participate in Centre activities, including industry showcases, annual reviews and industry and agency visits

Qualifications/Skills required:

Essential Requirements: (i.e. criteria for shortlisting)

  • PhD Degree in computer science or closely related discipline.
  • A proven track-record of research performance including publication and dissemination of results and collaborations.
  • Expertise in technical aspects related to data sharing, distributed database systems, linked data, knowledge graphs, data semantics, and data integration.

Desirable Requirements: (i.e. criteria for shortlisting)

  • Knowledge of several of the following areas is desirable: data platforms, data ecosystem, data spaces, artificial intelligence, or event processing.
  • Experience in research projects and academic-Industrial research collaborations.
  • Industrial software development experience.

Salary: Postdoctoral Researcher Point 1 €41,209 to Point 6 €47,477 per annum pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts (public sector pay policy rules pertaining to new entrants will apply).

Start date: Position is available from February 2023.

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

The 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 www.universityofgalway.ie/rdc for further information.’

Further information on research and working at University of Galway is available on Research at University of Galway

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

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. More information on the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics is available at www.insight-centre.org

Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Professor Edward Curry edward.curry@universityofgalway.ie

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Professor Edward Curry, galway@insight-centre.org

Please put reference number University of Galway 326-22 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm 11/1/2023

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.

The University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment.