Recruitment Of First-Ever Professors For Ireland's Technological Universities Launched

The initiative was launched by Minister James Lawless.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD has today announced the launch of recruitment for the first-ever Professors in Ireland's Technological Universities (TUs), marking a significant milestone in the development of the sector and strengthening its capacity to deliver world-class research, innovation and education. 
  
Funded through the Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF), the initial phase will provide for 25 posts at the new Professorship grade across the TU sector. The appointments will support the development of academic leadership and research excellence in strategically important disciplines, including Veterinary Surgery and Rural Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical Engineering, Climate and Sustainability. 
 
Administered by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the €65.8 million Targeted Enhancement Fund provides targeted support for initiatives that are critical to the strategic development of eligible higher education institutions. The establishment of a Professorship grade in the TU sector implements a key recommendation of the 2022 OECD review of technological university academic career structures and fulfils an important Programme for Government commitment. 
 
Minister Lawless said: "Ireland's Technological Universities are one of the great success stories of our higher education system, and today's announcement is about backing their next phase of growth. The introduction of Professorship posts is an important recognition of the talent and expertise that already exists within the sector. It gives our Technological Universities the opportunity to attract and retain outstanding academic leaders and to continue growing their impact at regional, national and international level.

"These positions will strengthen teaching, research and innovation in areas that matter to Ireland's future, including AI, healthcare, biotechnology and climate action, while creating new opportunities for students and researchers. 

"Most importantly, this delivers on our commitment to strengthen the Technological University sector and ensure it has the tools it needs to continue driving innovation, regional development and skills growth right across the country." 
 
Tim Conlon, Head of Policy and Strategic Planning at the Higher Education Authority (HEA), said: “The HEA warmly welcomes the Minister's announcement of these posts at the new Professorship grade. This development, recommended under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) review of academic career structures, academic contracts and senior management and leadership structures in Irish technological universities (TUs), supports TUs to continue to deliver locally, regionally and nationally to the highest international standards.   
 
"This new career path will support the strategic and operational needs of TUs in research and innovation, as the Minister has outlined, and additionally in teaching, learning and scholarship, contributing to and enhancing society and our technological universities. It creates an opportunity for individuals to be recognised and supported in leading, innovating and delivering for students, academic disciplines, institutions and our economy and society."  

Welcoming the announcement, Claire McGee, CEO of the Technological Universities Association (TUA), said: “The introduction of the Professorship grade is a landmark moment for Ireland’s Technological Universities. Regional businesses rely on a steady pipeline of skilled talent and cutting-edge innovation. Establishing these professorial roles will help TUs remain powerful anchors for innovation and opportunity across the regions they serve, strengthening their capacity to support local enterprise, drive research and deliver high-calibre graduates. We look forward to seeing the first Professors take up their posts and to building on this important milestone for the sector.”
  
The first phase of the Professorship grade recruitment will:    
 

• Provide for the establishment of 25 Professorship posts spread across Ireland’s TU sector, including TUS, ATU, MTU, SETU and TU Dublin. 
• Drive enhanced research and innovation activity, research-informed teaching in their institutions and enhanced enterprise engagement in their regions.   
• Enable Ireland’s TUs in entering new discipline areas of relevance to the economy and public services, such as veterinary surgery and pharmacy. 

  
The recruitment of the posts will take place through an open, competitive process with due regard given to measures to promote gender equality at all stages of the search and selection process.