Closing Date: 23:30hrs (local Irish time) on 24th July 2022.

Background

ADAPT is a Science Foundation Ireland funded National Research Centre for AI Driven Digital Content Technology. It brings leading academics and researchers from 8 Irish universities and industry partners together to deliver excellent science, engage the public, develop novel solutions for business across all sectors and enhance Ireland’s international reputation.

Smart Dublin is an initiative of the four Dublin Local Authorities to engage with smart technology providers, researchers and citizens to solve challenges and improve city life. It aims to position Dublin as a world leader in the development of new urban solutions, using open data, and with the city region as a test bed. Founded by the four Dublin Local Authorities, the goal is to future-proof the Dublin region by trialling and scaling innovative solutions to a wide range of local challenges. Established in 2019, Smart D8 is the fifth smart district operating under the Smart Dublin umbrella.

Smart D8 is a testbed for innovation, collaboration and engagement, located in Dublin 8. The initiative aims to explore new technologies and pilot innovative health and wellbeing solutions to improve quality of life; and to address challenges facing local communities in the area. With a number of Ireland’s leading hospitals, research institutes and a vibrant start-up community-based in the area, Dublin 8 is the ideal location for a Smart District focused on the health and wellbeing of citizens.

ADAPT is collaborating with Smart D8 to develop the Smart D8 district as a world-class ‘Smart Health and Community Well-being’ testbed that offers the opportunity for R&D with the ability to test products and services locally. Smart D8 applies a people-centric approach, with the engagement and active participation of the local community at its core.

The Role

The ADAPT Centre team will work with Smart D8 through Dublin City Council in a 2-year project to deliver objectives relating to the Smart D8 programme of work for 2022-2024 as part of a collaboration agreement.

This project seeks to recruit a researcher who will work as part of the Smart City team located in Dublin City Council to ensure the delivery of the Smart D8 project. The researcher will have regular engagement with ADAPT research experts, led by Prof. Aphra Kerr from Maynooth University, who will provide feedback and guidance on the research programme, outputs and impact.

The researcher will be expected to take a hands-on approach to deliver against the following distinct programme activity areas:

• Driving, managing and monitoring the development and implementation of the Smart D8 Programme of Work for 2022-2024 including engaging relevant stakeholders in workshops to develop a vision and roadmap for Smart D8 2.0 and providing regular updates on Smart D8 progress.
• Supporting the development, oversight and facilitation of engaged research projects; utilising ADAPT’s research expertise in advanced technology, artificial intelligence, education and public
• engagement, data interoperability, data and technology governance and ethics, and domain expertise in healthcare.
• Applying and evaluating public engagement methodologies, such as living
• Cultivating, growing and maintaining a strong ecosystem of relevant stakeholders and project partners including; researchers, industry partners, local communities, government and public
• services, patient representative bodies and local authority staff through in person and online engagement activities and events.
• Identifying and engaging with relevant stakeholders in relation to potential sources of funding to
• support health and wellbeing initiatives at local, national and international levels and provide support to prepare and submit funding applications and proposals.
• Data analysis, report writing and funding proposal

The successful candidate will coordinate the development of a vision for developing the Smart D8 district as a world-class ‘Smart Health and Community Well-being’ testbed that offers the opportunity for R&D with the ability to test products and services locally.

The successful candidate will work with partners to investigate the extent to which ‘smart’ technology can be used to help and support those in the Dublin 8 area who are living with short or long-term ill health. They will explore environmental factors like how air quality, access to green spaces, government services and amenities and the local economy can influence quality of life in an area. They will work with partners to investigate how digital applications, content and technology could be used to improve general population health and well-being.

The role is based in Dublin 8 and involves the post holder working outside of standard working hours to attend relevant community, industry or professional networking events. Some travel may be required from time to time

Principal Duties

The successful candidate will support the research and programme goals of the ADAPT Centre and the Smart D8 programme. Main duties will include but are not limited to the following:

Programme Management and Monitoring

• Coordinate the development of a vision for developing the  SmartD8  district  and  programme specific research
• Ensure the overall efficient project management and delivery of the Smart D8 programme including; requirements gathering and stakeholder engagement for needs analysis, project monitoring, and
• Establish metrics and key performance indicators to support ongoing monitoring and
• Plan, organise and schedule Smart D8 steering committee meetings and other partner update meetings including drafting meeting minutes and

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with the Smart D8 stakeholders, enterprises, organisations and researchers in ADAPT to identify opportunities for research and innovation collaboration and

• Cultivate and grow a strong ecosystem of relevant stakeholders and project partners including; researchers, industry partners, local communities, government and public services, patient representative bodies and local authority
• Organise and evaluate pilot applications in line with programme vision and research policies
• Identify, support and evaluate new

Communication

• Develop a communications and social media plan for Smart
• Prepare, draft and disseminate research
• Develop and manage a community education & outreach programme of events to highlight Smart D8 projects and
• Attend relevant meetings, learning events and conferences as
• Work with relevant groups in DCC to advance the wider smart city and innovation
• Other duties as assigned by line managers in ADAPT and in DCC Smart

The ideal candidate will have: 

Mandatory Experience, Skills and Knowledge

• Candidates must have a recognised degree (level 8) in social science, computer science or other disciplines relevant to role. In addition, the candidate must have a postgraduate masters qualification (level 9).
• Strong project management skills with at least 3 years’ experience working in interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing internal and external partner and stakeholder relationships to enable project delivery (should include exposure to public bodies or agencies).
• Experience of managing reasonably complex projects through the full project lifecycle in a relevant area (e.g. science, technology, health, wellbeing).
• Facilitation or workshop delivery skills with experience of engaging different audiences (both technical and non-technical).
• An appreciation and understanding of technology research and innovation (including Responsible Research Innovation).
• Understanding of the process of academic research and knowledge of research ethics
• Fluent in spoken English and strong writing skills in English with experience of crafting communications for different purposes, including online
• Excellent IT skills including experience with spreadsheets, word processing, presentation software, collaboration tools, databases and digital communication

Desirable Experience, Skills and Knowledge

• Experience conducting research esp. engaged or participatory research methods
• Experience of managing and/or coordinating Industry – academic research projects from idea to conclusion
• Experience or strong interest in Smart Health and Community Well-being ecosystem in Ireland and/or abroad (key organisations, statutory bodies and companies)
• Ability to identify, develop and deliver new funding opportunities with experience in grant/bid writing and a practical understanding of national, European funding
• Knowledge of Smart City technology

Application Procedure

Closing Date: 23:30hrs (local Irish time) on Wednesday, 6th July 2022.

Please note all applications must be made via our Online Recruitment Portal at the following link: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/human-resources/vacancies

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified above. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Equality and Diversity

Maynooth University values the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seeks to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual. To learn more about our commitment to Equality and Diversity, please read the Maynooth University Equality and Diversity Policy. Additionally, as an Athena SWAN Bronze Award Institute, we are committed to advancing gender equality across the University.

We aim to reflect the diversity of the community we serve and welcome applications from all individuals, in particular from people underrepresented in our workforce.