Background to the Call
Please note this appointment has now been closed
IADT is seeking to appoint two Postdoctoral Researchers (PDRs) to the Elevate programme, which is funded by the TU Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise (TU RISE) scheme. TU RISE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027.
About Elevate
The primary goal of Elevate is to cultivate a dynamic research and innovation ecosystem for the creative and cultural sector and industries (CCSI). This four-year programme is designed to propel Ireland to the forefront of the sector and solidify IADT as a global leader in creative research and innovation in the CCSI. Elevate will strengthen research capacity, accelerate commercial applications, and establish a resilient, inclusive, and competitive economy in regional areas. Elevate envisions creating a dynamic research and innovation ecosystem at IADT, emphasising Screen, Design, and Policy for the CCSI, sustainable innovation, and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
The Role of Elevate Creation Bridge Postdoctoral Researchers
Two Elevate PDR’s will be appointed. The appointments will be up to 18 months and will include a 12-week placement in a local or national enterprise or organisation. Successful candidates will hold a PhD in an area relevant or cognate to the Elevate Creation Bridges (Screen, Design and Policy) interdisciplinary focus.
The primary focus of these PDR roles will be research. However, emphasis will also be placed on gaining experience in grant writing and acquiring generic and transferable skills (including project management and business skills). Elevate PDRs may be expected to supervise postgraduate research students and identify/apply for funding opportunities.
The Elevate PDRs will work with our research leaders and research community to expand IADT’s regional, national and international impact in the areas of creative research and innovation.
The knowledge and expertise of the Elevate PDRs will be aligned with one or more
Creation Bridge SCREEN
Encompassing research and innovation expertise in Animation, Expanded Screen Practices, Cyberpsychology, Creative Computing, AR/VR, Immersive Media Technologies, Gaming/Digital Content and Audio-visual Production.
Creation Bridge DESIGN
Consolidating IADT’s research and innovation expertise in Communication, Information, Strategic and Organisational Design, 3D Design, UI/UX, Spatial, Speculative, Environmental Design, Visual Arts, Critical Design Approaches and Artistic Research.
Creation Bridge POLICY
Promoting evidence-based research and innovation to inform and shape political and civic debate on the social and economic impacts of policy in the Creative and Cultural sectors through the lens of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), human interaction, thought leadership and strategic planning.
Training & Development
Postdoctoral Researchers are encouraged to participate in bespoke training and workshops events that will be provided by IADT and designed to aid them in their research and transferable skills (e.g., leadership skills, IP management, and presentation skills).
All Postdoctoral Researchers are expected to disseminate their research at external conferences and networking events. They will also receive support and encouragement to publish their work in scholarly outlets, including national and international scholarly journals.
IADT’s Research Office will provide support for recruited PDRs to
- Enhance the knowledge and skills required to contribute effectively to project objectives;
- Deepen PDRs understanding of funding opportunities, research proposal writing, project management, and communication skills, etc.
Eligibility Criteria
Elevate PDRs should demonstrate the following
Essential qualifications
Completion of a PhD (NFQ Level 10) in a relevant area, normally within the past five years.
We will consider applicants who have by the time of interview completed their VIVA but are awaiting graduation (i.e., final corrections have been submitted and approved).
Research
Authoring original work for scholarly journal papers, conference papers, technical reports or practice-led/artistic research
Experience as a researcher in a high-quality academic environment
Specific Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge and expertise in at least one of the Elevate Creation Bridge disciplinary areas: Screen, Design and/or Policy;
Experience of working in or with the Creative and Cultural Sector and/or Industries;
Ability to work independently, to write project reports and make technical presentations to sector,
Ability to work as part of a team, collaborating with others and participating in academic research groups;
Proven project management skills with the ability to guide early career researchers, and meet defined targets and milestones within research projects;
Appropriate level IT, data gathering and management, and digital environment skills and working knowledge of specific analytical, data management methods;
Excellent written and oral communication skills, interpersonal, organisational and analytical skills;
Excellent time management skills and ability to complete agreed work commitments on time;
Knowledge of Research Ethics, Data Protection and Health and Safety issues;
Demonstrated ability to accurately represent and promote this research for this programme to audiences of diverse technical backgrounds;
Evidence of having undertaken further training, and willingness to undertake project specific training.
Preferably Experience In
Being a Postdoctoral Researcher in a similar context;
Leadership in research and development projects;
Leadership/co-ordination of funding applications and developing proposals for funding from external agencies;
Understanding of commercialisation processes;
Prior teaching and/or mentoring.
Funding
This appointment is a fixed term contract and subject to the continued funding under TU RISE. Where funding is withdrawn then this will result in the cessation of this position.
Remuneration
The remuneration of this post will be as authorised through the ELEVATE programme. Whole Time salary scale of Post-Doctoral Researcher Level 1 is per annum.
Salary Year 1: €47,273
Salary Year 2: €47,879
Please note that the salary may be subject to change in line with changes to the IUA salary scales.
The salary budget allows appointments at up to “Post Doc Researcher 1, point 1” of the Researchers Pay Scales. All reasonable travel, research and training expenses are covered by the programme.
The PDR’s contract must start no later than 31 January 2026 and end by 30 July 2027. The call is open for new recruits only; extension of existing research staff contracts cannot be funded.
How to Apply
Call deadline 12 (noon) Irish Time (Europe/Dublin),
13 October 2025
Applications to the TU RISE funded Elevate Creation Bridge Postdoctoral Researcher role will involve a two-step process:
Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)
Step 2: Interview
Applicants are required to submit and generate the following:
Step 1: Completed Expression of Interest Application Form
All Expression of Interest Application Forms will be peer reviewed. The top ranked proposals from Step 1 will be invited to an interview.
The completed Expression of Interest Application Form must be emailed to elevate@iadt.ie before the call deadline at 12:00 (noon) Irish time (Europe/Dublin), 13 October 2025. With no exceptions, applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Email your completed Expression of Interest form to elevate@iadt.ie before the deadline.
Step 2: Those who progress to interview stage will be notified and requested to prepare a presentation of their project. All interviews will start with the researcher’s 10-minute presentation (slides will be allowed). Interviewers will follow up with a pre-agreed set of questions. Interviews will be held in November 2025; applicants must be available. There are no exceptions to these terms. Successful applicants must be available to commence the contract no later than 31 January 2026.
Applicants are required to have a registered ORCID profile. ORCID provides a persistent digital identifier that is unique to each researcher and contributor and supports automated linkages across all your professional activities. If an applicant does not currently have an ORCID, please register at www.orcid.org in advance of submitting an application.
Review Process
The review process includes a 2-stage process, evaluation and interview.
Stage 1. Applications will be evaluated by panels consisting of at least one external expert and two internal experts. The panel will be drawn from a variety of disciplines to reflect the multidisciplinary focus of Elevate. Each assessor submits their evaluation, and the applications are ranked in order of merit. Once the assessment progress is complete, applicants will be informed of the outcome by email. Applicants who do not progress to interview stage can request feedback. The threshold to proceed to step 2 is 60%.
Expression of Interest Application Form
On the Expression of Interest Application Form you will have the opportunity to outline your proposed project as follows:
- Project Summary (max. 250 words);
- Project Background (max. 1000 words);
- Project Objectives (max. 250 words);
- Project Work Plan and Gantt chart (max. 1000 words for work plan and Gantt chart in a separate file);
- Statement of proposal alignment with call objectives (max. 500 words)
- Statement of potential for the project to deliver clear and significant societal, cultural and economic impact (max. 1000 words).
Guidance for Applicants
The proposal outlined in the Application Form should clearly describe the work planned over an 18-month period and outline how the proposal will result in high quality impactful research and development of a new research topic or area.
Projects demonstrating the following are highly encouraged:
- Collaborative and inter-sectoral projects with a focus on social transformation priorities and initiatives;
- Integration between Elevate project objectives, the Creation Bridge interdisciplinary fields and the proposed project's outcomes and impact;
- Demonstration of enterprise engagement that address specific targets set out in the TU RISE grant agreement.
The Elevate Enterprise Liaison Officer in the Innovation and Enterprise Office will support PDRs in identifying a suitable enterprise partner. Enterprises do not have to be identified in the application.
The evaluation criteria for the application process are:
- Proposal clarity and quality (30%);
- Proposal alignment with call objectives (25%);
- Proposal potential to deliver clear and significant societal and/or cultural and/or economic impact (25%);
- Track record of the applicant and appropriateness of the applicant to the role of Elevate Creation Bridge PDR (20%).