Research Impact Manager

About Taighde Eireann - Research Ireland

Taighde Eireann - Research Ireland is the national research and innovation funding agency which was established on 1 August 2024; it amalgamates the activities of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. Research Ireland will drive world class research and innovation in Ireland, funding research and innovation excellence in all disciplines across the spectrum of Arts, Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, Technology, and others. We believe in the power of research to create a better future for society, economy, and the environment in Ireland, and that research can be truly impactful when it is shaped and informed by the society it serves.

The Research for Society Directorate leads on programmes that fund individual-led research grants for researchers at all career stages, international partnership programmes and PhD training programmes. It also leads on the development and delivery of a suite of challenge-based funding initiatives, including the EU-funded 'National Challenge Fund', and also leads on the Public Service Fellowship, forging researcher-policymaker collaboration. In addition, it leads on the delivery of a broad portfolio of Education and Public Engagement initiatives and funding calls, including flagship activities such as Science Week.

We are now recruiting for a Research Impact Manager to join 'Research for Society' on a 4-year FTC basis. This represents an exciting career opportunity for a suitably qualified individual to lead and influence and highly ambitious, innovative, and potentially high impact research programmes. As an impact specialist you will play a critical role in the delivery of Research Ireland's mission, particularly in supporting the delivery of the National Challenge Fund.

About the Role

Research Ireland is dedicated to supporting researchers to develop solutions to complex societal challenges. In recent years, we have developed novel approaches to supporting research teams through challenge-based or mission-oriented initiatives. Challenge-based funding supports ambitious, highly motivated innovators to address society's most significant challenges, delivering tangible benefits over well-defined timeframes. Challenge-based funding programmes enable research teams to contribute to solving challenges of strategic national importance, thereby sustaining and growing Ireland's competitiveness, but also providing our community with support to mobilise action on global issues.

The Research Ireland Challenge Team is responsible for the development and implementation of a suite of challenge-based funding programmes including the large scale 'National Challenge Fund', funded under the EU Recovery and Resilience facility and through multiple partnerships with Government bodies including with Irish Aid under the Sustainable Development Goals Challenge and with the Defence Forces under the DefOrg Innovation challenge. Through these and other approaches, the team is responsible for providing additional supports in areas such as Theory of Change, Design Thinking, and Impact Pathway development.

Challenge funding represents an approach to engaged research, which recognises that to address complex societal challenges, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and end-users should be involved in the cocreation of research activities and should inform the expected outputs and outcomes to ensure that they are meaningful and relevant. The Translational Specialist will develop and implement ways to support research teams in new ways to maximise the translation of research and solutions to society. This position plays a key part in ensuring the delivery of impactful initiatives that align with the organisation's overarching mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and develop opportunities to support research teams to translate their work into impactful applications through for example, policy, commercialisation, and social innovation.
• Design, develop and deliver initiatives and interventions to facilitate Challenge Teams enhancing the impact of their research.
• Assess the effectiveness of impact initiatives and implement plans for continuous improvement.
• Contribute to broader organisational goals by identifying opportunities to collaborate, synergise, and support other teams with research impact and commercialisation.
• Stay at the cutting edge of global best practices in impactful research and integrate emerging trends and technologies into Research Ireland initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers to enhance the reach and impact of Research Ireland initiatives.
• Support the design, execution, monitoring and evaluation of Challenge Funding initiatives, ensuring alignment with organisational goals, requirements of partners and funders, and value for money.
• Act as spokesperson and representative for Research Ireland in national and international fora, as required.

Essential Criteria

• Hold a third-level qualification (PhD, MBA, Masters) in a relevant discipline.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience, ideally in translational research, research commercialisation, entrepreneurship, or a relevant related impact area.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing impact strategies within a relevant sector, such as research or technology.
• Demonstrated ability to work at a strategic level yet also drive daily execution.
• Have proven analytical, problem-solving, and interpretive skills with an ability to think strategically and use sound judgement on complex issues.
• Be well-organised with the ability to multitask, prioritise, meet deadlines, and manage competing and changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Proven experience in building and maintaining high-level relationships with diverse stakeholders, including researchers, policy-makers, investors, and entrepreneurs.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information in a confident, logical, and convincing manner.
• Ability to measure impact, evaluate interventions, and provide insights to inform strategic decision-making.
• Have a professional, positive, and enthusiastic attitude, aligned to delivering the objectives and goals of Research Ireland.
• Ability to work well under pressure, demonstrating integrity, energy, and resilience.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working with, and developing, teams
• Hands-on experience of research commercialisation
• Experience in managing budgets
• Experience working in an impact or solution-oriented environment
• Understanding of the challenges and opportunities in translating research into practical applications.
• Experience in working within multi-/interdisciplinary research environments.

Key Competencies

• Ability to develop and articulate a long-term vision that aligns with organisational goals
• Leadership in a dynamic environment, managing competing priorities
• Management and delivery of results
• Supporting team professional development
• Initiative and creativity
• Ability to influence and advocate effectively within and beyond the organisation
• Advanced interpersonal and communication skills

Application Process:

To apply for this post, applicants must submit a cover letter demonstrating how the applicant meets the requirement for this role (maximum of two pages) as set out in the job specification together with an up-to-date CV in one document.

Please note that the cover letter is essential and candidates will be rejected for not including one.

Applications must be submitted as one document online through the online applicant management system Occupop on or before 12 noon Irish Local Time on 26th September 2025.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend for an interview, which may include a competency-based interview, a presentation on a topic of relevance to the role and/ or other such assessment methods as deemed appropriate.

Research Ireland reserves the right to invite candidates to a second-round interview and to undergo further assessment, including the use of psychometric assessment if so required. Please note, interviews may take place over videoconference or other remote technology where appropriate.

Salary

This role will be appointed at Level E, €81,475 to €100,064 per annum plus contributory superannuation pension. Please note that Government policy continues to be that starting pay on recruitment from open competition for all posts within the public service should be at the minimum of the relevant salary scale and are not subject to negotiation.

Please note that new entrants to the public sector will be appointed at the minimum point of the salary scale. Remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave per annum, (+ 1 Organisation holiday day + 10 additional public holidays = 41 days).
• Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (Single Public Service Scheme)
• Favourable Hybrid / Blended working policy for employees.
• Subsidised canteen.
• Long term illness income protection

Additional information

The role will be based in the Research Ireland office located in Three Park Place, Hatch Street Upper, Dublin 2, Ireland, D02 FX65, but travel around Ireland will be required on a regular basis. Research Ireland currently operates a hybrid/flexible working model.

For this role, a minimum of two days a week in the office is required, in addition to nationwide travel as required for business needs.

Research Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace which values and benefits from the diversity of our workforce. We encourage you to reach out to us directly at recruitment@researchireland.ie should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process with Research Ireland.