Head of Group - EU and Strategic Programmes

Head of Group - EU and Strategic Programmes

About Tyndall
Tyndall National Institute is an international leader in semiconductors, photonics and deep-tech research and innovation. As a leading collaborative European research institute, Tyndall is a key actor and hosting partner in the delivery of the ‘Chips for Europe Initiative’ (EU Chips Act).
Tyndall is Ireland’s leading research and innovation organisation, and it is the national focal point for excellence in deep-tech research, development and graduate training at the convergence of nanotechnology, microelectronics, photonics, electronics and AI. Tyndall is recognised as an international research leader in semiconductor, chip and digital technologies, particularly as applied to the fields of Information & Communications, Health & Life Sciences, Agritech & Food Security, Energy and Climate Mitigation, emerging fields such as quantum, and novel computing paradigms.

The Institute’s key objective is to see frontier research activities having a significant impact on economic development and societal challenges in Ireland, Europe and beyond. Central to Tyndall’s mission is delivering economic impact through research excellence in partnership with industry and academia. With an annual turnover of more than €50m, the Institute has a community of over 600 researchers, engineers, support staff, postgraduate students, interns and industry researchers-in-residence.

With significant committed Irish government support, Tyndall will grow to be 1,000 people by 2030, with approximately 750 researchers, including 250 PhD students. A new 17,000 m2 research building is under development adjacent to the Cork headquarters and there are developing plans to expand Tyndall’s existing Dublin research labs and to establish other research sites within Ireland.

Tyndall’s expansion is also supported by recent national and EU funding wins for significant (M€10’s) additional research equipment across a range of areas such as semiconductor processing, microscopy, quantum technologies, heterogeneous integration, ultra-high speed optical communications and RF through THz characterisation.

About the Role
Reporting to the Director of Strategic Development, the Head of Group – EU & Strategic Programme will lead Tyndall’s Strategic Programmes Office to scale publicly funded research activities and secure major strategic funding projects and EU grants. In this role you will build strategic partnerships with leading organisations, expand participation in European programmes, and mentor researchers to deliver transformative semiconductor innovation aligned with Tyndall’s 2030 vision. Under the umbrella of the Strategic Development Centre the role will also contribute to Tyndall’s long-term vision and global positioning, delivering major initiatives that advance Tyndall’s reputation as a world-class research institute and thought leader.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Deliver strategic leadership, people and programme management of the Strategic Programmes Office with responsibility for scaling publicly funded research activities to grow Tyndall’s profile and reputation as a world-leading research institute, and as a global thought leader, in accordance with the Institute’s Tyndall 2030 strategic plan
• Define Tyndall’s strategic implementation plan for publicly funded strategic research programmes in liaison with the CEO, the Chief Scientist, the Director of Strategic Development and Tyndall’s Executive and Senior Leadership Teams
• Support Tyndall's senior researchers in securing competitive large scale (multi-million €) grants/awards from national and European funding sources, and supported by industry as required, to increase the scale and critical mass of the strategic research activities across Tyndall
• Support, steer and where appropriate manage key national and international initiatives aiming at strategic and engaged research and talent development for transformative semiconductor innovations and a skilled workforce
• Identify and engage leading organisations/networks/consortia across Ireland, Europe and, when relevant, internationally (e.g., international cooperation and partnerships calls) with which Tyndall can establish strategic partnerships
• Identify national, EU and international publicly-funded calls complementary to Tyndall’s strategic research goals and promote these internally with researchers
• Proactively promote the expansion of Tyndall’s participation in EU-funded programmes in thematic areas aligned with our research and innovation priorities
• Engage in key proposal reviewing, networking and technology road mapping
• Implement a training and mentoring programme to enable researchers to participate in publicly funded proposals
• Build appropriate relationships with relevant funding agencies
• Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations
• To carry out any additional duties that may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post

Essential Criteria

• PhD in physical sciences or engineering, or a closely related area
• Typically, 15 years’ experience in semiconductor R&D, ICT hardware and systems or related deep-tech field
• Strong knowledge of the European research funding landscape, including Horizon Europe, EU and National Programmes
• Extensive experience of success in EU programmesExperience of leading and managing a diverse group of research and support staff
• Significant track record in initiating and establishing collaborative relationships with relevant industry research and development groups
• A track record of overseeing the influence, representation, and advocacy of Research & Innovation policies within relevant stakeholders and decision-making bodies
• Successful track record of securing and managing research or other relevant external funding at scale (over a million euros)
• Demonstrable ability to work on an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary basis
• Strong collaborative ethos, with a results-oriented approach
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team as well as taking a management role in a matrix organisation structure

Desirable Criteria

• Demonstrated ability to develop world-class research leaders and to lead, inspire and mentor early career staff or students
• Experience in team development and management for R&D in the semiconductor sector (or other high-tech sector dependent on advanced semiconductor technologies)
• Experience of high-level strategic planning and implementation
• Demonstrated successful leadership in institutional level strategic development, external engagement, and strategic positioning, ideally within a research or academic setting
• Experience in working with stakeholders across government agencies, academia and business
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, including report writing, presentation and interpersonal skills

What We Offer
Apart from offering a position in a very successful and positive research environment, with a collaborative ethos full of diverse competencies to boost your career, we offer the following:
 

• Impactful Work: Opportunities to contribute to ground-breaking research and innovation that shape Ireland’s economy and the society at large.
• Continuous Learning: Strong support for formal training, further study and professional development.
• Interdisciplinary Environment: Where academia, industry, and innovation intersect - supported by cutting-edge infrastructure and expert knowledge.
• Blended Working: Flexibility to work remotely and on-site, where the role allows.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Access to UCC pension, long-term illness benefit, life assurance, and more.
• Generous Leave: Competitive annual leave entitlements.
• Equity & Inclusion: Athena Swan Bronze award holder, with ongoing initiatives led by a dedicated People and Culture team to ensure equity for all.
• Core Values: A culture grounded in Ambition, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: A proactive, innovation-driven environment that welcomes entrepreneurial and creative thinkers, including those with start-up experience.
• Supportive Onboarding: Structured induction and mentoring to help new hires integrate and thrive.
• Vibrant Culture: A collaborative, people-first workplace with a strong sense of community.

Terms of Employment
Contract Category: Full-Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Appointment may be made on the Grade 8 Senior Admin IV scale, salary range €99,538- €119,654per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Giorgos Fagas.
Closing date for applications for this position is 1pm, 24th April 2026.

Application Instructions
Please make sure to attach an up-to-date CV/Resume AND a brief motivation letter outlining how you meet the ‘Essential Criteria’ for this role.

A full candidate information pack is available to download by clicking here.
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on university approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.

Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.
Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer.