Vice-President: Research & Innovation

Description

Shape research with global impact from Ireland’s most international city.

University of Galway is a comprehensive, research‑intensive university with a distinctive regional base and a truly global perspective. Our community includes 19,700 students from 100+ countries, 2,500 staff, and a global alumni network of 135,000. We collaborate with 5,000+ institutions in 178 countries, and in 2023 recorded a €82m annual research spend. Ranked Top 275 (QS) and No.1 in Ireland | Top 50 worldwide for SDG impact (THE Impact Rankings), our ambition for research and innovation is accelerating.

The opportunity

Reporting to the President and serving on the University Management Team (UMT), the Vice‑President: Research & Innovation (VPRI) will provide strategic leadership to enhance the excellence, culture and impact of research and innovation across the University. You will enable high‑performing systems and supports; champion interdisciplinarity; and build influential partnerships with funders, government, industry, civic and international peers.

You will lead the Office of the VPRI and its four core units, the Research Office, Innovation Office, Graduate Studies Office, and the Clinical Research & Development Office, to sustain a thriving research and innovation ecosystem.

Key responsibilities

• Strategy & leadership: Set and deliver an ambitious research and innovation strategy aligned to the University’s values, Respect, Openness, Sustainability and Excellence.
• Enabling excellence: Ensure effective, technology‑enabled services, processes and governance that empower researchers to excel with integrity.
• Culture & talent: Champion a positive research culture; develop the research talent pipeline; promote diversity, inclusion and researcher wellbeing.
• Income & impact: Grow research income (incl. Horizon Europe) and enhance outputs, translation, commercialisation and societal impact.
• Clinical research: Develop clinical research infrastructure and oversight in partnership with the Saolta University Health Care Group.
• Partnerships: Act as an ambassador for the University; build strategic collaborations with national and international funders, agencies and industry.
• Internal collaboration: Work closely with Colleges, Schools, Research Institutes and Centres to embed research and innovation across our mission, including research‑led teaching and entrepreneurial activity.

About you

• A distinguished academic with a PhD (or equivalent), an internationally recognised research profile, and a strong record of funding, publications and field leadership.
• A proven strategic leader with experience of delivering major change, motivating high‑performing teams, and building productive, trust‑based partnerships.
• Demonstrable strength in planning, decision‑making and communication, with a track record of equality, diversity and inclusion leadership.
• Sound understanding of governance and regulation in higher education/public sector contexts; strong financial and people management capability.
• Commitment to our values and to the healthy interdependence of research and research‑led teaching.

How to apply

For an informal conversation with our recruitment partners GatenbySanderson, please contact Jacqueline Lau. Jacqueline.lau@gatenbysanderson.com or Alison Elton alison.elton@gatenbysanderson.com

For further information and to apply visit: (insert link to microsite)

At University of Galway, we value and celebrate diversity. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to flexible working and a supportive environment. Please let us know, in confidence, if you require any adjustments to participate fully in the process.

Term: VPRI is a fixed 4‑year appointment in the first instance, with potential for a second 4‑year term. The appointee will also hold a permanent Established Professorship in a relevant discipline.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 23rd February 2026

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