Research Officer position in Architecture and Engineering Education Research
The School of Architecture, Building, and Environment Research (SABER) group at TU Dublin currently has a position available for a Research Officer in Architecture and Engineering Education Research.
Job Description
SABER is seeking to appoint a post-doctoral Research Officer on a specified purpose (project specific), fixed term basis (for a maximum period of 12 months). The post holder will be required to carry out Engineering Education Research regarding gender dimensions of engineering student’s experiences in TU Dublin engineering courses. Initial research will phenomenologically assess collaboration, epistemology and epistemic (in)justice, and/or emotions in Problem- and Project-Based Learning. Subsequent research will phenomenographically analyse interviews with regard to epistemology. Thus, the successful candidate will qualitatively analyse existing data sets using established methodologies (phenomenology and phenomenography), conduct literature reviews, generate articles for peer- reviewed journals and conferences, prepare grant proposals, and collect follow-up studies.
The successful candidate will work under the direction of Professor Shannon Chance, housed within the SABER group. The candidate will be part of SABER, the university’s CREATE research group (for Contributions to Engineering and Applied Technology Education), and tPOT (Toward People-Oriented Technology) research centre.
As a Research Officer, the successful candidate will hold a Doctoral Degree (Level 10 on the Irish Framework of Qualifications, or equivalent) in Engineering Education Research and will have successfully completed/passed the PhD viva/defence prior to the interview. A track record of research achievement and output consistent with the applicant’s career stage is expected.
Principal Accountabilities
• Report to Principal Investigator, Professor Shannon Chance.
• Collaborate with others and contribute to multiple projects’ research design, analysis, and reporting.
• Identify, read, and interpret literature relevant to the research projects, and generate literature reviews.
• Identify and implement relevant theoretical frameworks for data analysis.
• Analyse existing interview datasets using phenomenological and phenomenographical methods.
• Prepare and present findings of research activity to colleagues for review purposes.
• Contribute to a healthy and positive work environment for all research group members.
• Generate articles for peer-reviewed conferences and journals, as either a lead or supporting author.
• Collect follow-up studies as needed.
• Contribute to the overall activities of the research team as required (e.g., review and edit text written by other members of the team).
• Support efforts to secure additional grants and/or fellowships to support the ongoing work of the research group.
• Carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the PI.
• Manage time effectively to meet the deliverables of the project.
• Actively comply with all TU Dublin policies and regulations, including those in relation to Research Ethics and Health and Safety.
Person Specifications
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the appropriate mix of knowledge, experience, skills, talent and abilities as outlined below
Knowledge and Experience:
• A Doctoral Degree (Level 10 on the Irish Framework of Qualifications) in Engineering Education Research or equivalent award by an approved degree-awarding authority and have successfully completed/passed the PhD viva/defence. (Essential)
• Evidence of familiarity with the subject matter and willingness to be/remain contemporaneous with the subject matter. (Essential)
• Knowledge and experience of the targeted research techniques. (Essential)
• Knowledge and experience of established research ethics practices. (Essential)
• Knowledge of engineering and built environment subjects. (Desirable)
• An undergraduate degree in an engineering and built environment subject. (Desirable)
• Experience conducting individual and focus group interviews. (Desirable)
• Broad understanding of current state-of-the-art literature in engineering education research (e.g., pedagogy, student learning and/or theories regarding student development. (Desirable)
• Track record of published qualitative research. (Desirable)
Skills, Talents, and Abilities:
• Highly skilled and motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. (Essential)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. (Essential)
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills. (Essential)
• Excellent organisational skills, time management, and ability to undertake duties assigned and meet deadlines required. (Essential)
• Excellent library database skills. (Essential)
• Excellent skills in Word, PowerPoint, NVivo, and reference management software. (Desirable)
• Excellent cross-cultural collaboration skills. (Desirable)
Salary:
• The successful candidate will be appointed at Point (01) of the Research Officer salary scale, which is aligned to the Post-Doctoral Researcher scale at TU Dublin, i.e. € 48,412 gross per annum. (Position is for a maximum of 12 months and cannot be extended beyond 12 months.)
Interested parties should send a current CV to shannon.chance@tudublin.ie by 5pm on 10 December 2025 with interviews taking place on 15 December 2025.