Centre Administrator – Innovation & Industry Engagement

Centre Administrator – Innovation & Industry Engagement

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 Team

The Innovation and Industry Engagement Centre is composed of a team of mostly industry experienced individuals tasked with creating the environment to commercialise Tyndall’s breakthrough innovations to support the growth of Ireland’s semiconductor sector. The team works closely with Tyndall’s researchers to co-develop, and transfer, next generation technologies and to commercialise our platform technologies through spin-out companies. In addition, the Centre hosts the Irish Chips Competence Centre (I-C3), whose role is to support semiconductor start-ups and SMEs with design, access to the EU Pilot Lines, funding and training.  

About the Role

You will be an integrated team member in Tyndall’s Innovation & Industry Engagement (I&IE) Centre, supporting the Director and centre staff across a range of administrative activities in the day to day management of the centre. This will involve working closely with the team members to ensure that the centre operates effectively and delivers on its objectives, while also supporting the development and implementation of effective financial, budgetary, quality, client engagement and marketing processes which are key to the institute’s success.

You will also act as the Administrator for hosted I&IE awards, such as the Irish Chips Competence Centre (IC-3). Here you will support the I-C3 team across our partner organisations, MIDAS and Nova UCD in the day to day management of the award and the efficient operation of the centre.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Efficiently manage all aspects of administration for the centre on a day-to-day basis. 
• Assist the I&IE Director in the development and management of appropriate administrative structures and procedures.
• Assist the centre team with KPI reporting.
• Deal with complex and non-routine queries from staff and external contacts where relevant.
• Organisation of, and full participation in team meetings with accurate minute taking and coordination of follow up actions.
• Organisation of industry visits and events and assist with events organised by Tyndall centrally as required.
• Maintain an awareness of the industry engagement activities of the centre, from client engagement to marketing and out-reach, so as to maximise the effectiveness of the team.
• Own the administration of the Salesforce CRM and team databases, working with the Director and external service providers to ensure effective implementation and effectiveness of the platform.
• Manage and assist with any external requirements of the team, including board meetings, conference organisation, external committees and liaison with external clients and stakeholders.
• Administer all relevant budgetary tasks including purchasing and cost controls for the Centre. 
• Define and publish financial updates and analysis as may be required by the centre and other functional units in Tyndall.
• Provide support for incoming visitors and for related seminars/workshops, including any travel arrangements/accommodation and facilities arrangements as required.
• Provide support for the centre team’s travel arrangements/accommodation and facility needs.
• Process all procurement for the centre, including related paperwork.
• Process expenses claims for the centre team and liaise with finance and other operational functions as required. 
• Liaise with the appropriate Tyndall functions concerning quality, security, safety, maintenance and IT.
• Provide assistance to the Office of the CEO and other centre administrator positions from time to time as required.
• Develop and manage an efficient tracking and filing system to allow for immediate access and retrieval of all documentation.
• Ensure strict confidentiality and discretion on all recruitment/budgetary/financial and staffing matters.
• Ensure adherence to all relevant Tyndall/UCC procedures and policies as required.
• Undertake other appropriate duties as assigned from time to time by the I&IE Director.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities.
• Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations.

Essential Criteria

• A relevant 3rd level education qualification.
• 5 years’ experience in a similar role at a similar level.
• Professional, discreet and confidential in approach at all times with an accommodating and efficient manner.
• Previous experience in a client-facing, sales or marketing operations environment.
• Previous experience of supporting senior executives in a fast moving environment. e.g. diary management, executive reporting, travel planning et al.
• Previous experience of client-facing CRM, purchasing management systems, purchase order tracking and related documentation. 
• Previous financial administration experience in a challenging role.
• Concise and effective written communication skills.
• Digital proficiency and the ability to quickly acquire advanced skills with tools such as the Microsoft Office suite of products (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc.), sales and marketing tools (such as Salesforce CRM, Survey Monkey, Eventbrite et al).

Desirable Criteria

• Direct, hands-on experience with the Salesforce CRM platform and other sales & marketing tools (as listed above).
• Ability to be effective in a collaborative, matrix organisation and influence outcomes from other teams.
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills with an eye for detail. Ability to multi-task and a flexibility and willingness to work additional hours when required.
• Ability to work on own initiative, both independently and as part of a team. 
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to work effectively to achieve tight deadlines.
• Experience of working within a university environment 

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 Type: Full Time
Contract Category: Fixed Term
Contract Duration: Approximately 2 years

Appointment may be made on the Senior Executive Salary Scale (new entrants) salary € 40,730 - € 56,224 per annum.   Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Patrick Morrissey

Closing date for applications for this position is 1pm Thursday 26th of November.  

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.