Posted 13 June, 2026
Post Doctoral Researcher Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences/Clinical Therapies
University College Cork
Cork, Cork, Ireland
Full Time
Reference: 309451936
Post Doctoral Researcher Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences/Clinical Therapies
10 months, Fixed Term, part-time Post
This position will have a role as operational manager (as part of a team) of the Happy Talk national randomised controlled trial, led by Dr Pauline Frizelle, at UCC.
The work builds on a small-scale single blind effectiveness trial of 'Happy Talk', a community embedded, targeted selective SLT programme that simultaneously engages with parents and early childhood educators. The pilot trial showed large effects (.6SD) on understanding and moderate effects (.46SD) on a composite language measure, for children from areas of social disadvantage (5). In addition, 'Happy Talk' was deemed to be feasible and acceptable to parents and staff and cost- effective (6), making it a suitable programme to be delivered at scale. The proposed study aims to a) evaluate an at scale randomized control trial of 'Happy Talk' compared to usual care; b) complete a pre-trial process evaluation to inform intervention implementation - examining factors which promote parental engagement and partnership between SLTs and educators and incorporating these into SLT training and future rollouts of the programme; c) to complete a concurrent process evaluation from a realist perspective to examine how the mechanisms underpinning Happy Talk are influenced by the implementation context and therefore what would need to be considered for successful implementation across varied settings; d) establish barriers and enablers for clinicians in helping conduct trials and e) complete an economic evaluation in which the costs and benefits of 'Happy Talk' are compared to standard pre/school care.
Achievement of the expected progression within Post Doc and Senior Post Doc is transferable between the Irish HEI's. This can be reflected in the starting pay of a PD researcher. Similarly, as the PD scheme is an intergenerational training scheme completion of PD1 or PD 2 levels in one HEI will normally render that researcher ineligible for appointment at a similar level in another Irish HEI Researcher Career Development Framework | Irish Universities Association
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
Project Title Implementing a targeted selective speech, language, and communication intervention at scale - the case of Happy Talk
Post Duration: 10 months, part-time Post (0.6 FTE)
For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see https://ore.ucc.ie/ The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Professor Pauline Frizelle, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences Tel: + 353 (0) 87 8057394; Email: [email protected]
For further information on the Department: Speech and Hearing Sciences | University College Cork
University College Cork is committed to being a fully inclusive global university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core values under our UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028. UCC holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of age, care-giving status, disability, ethnicity, gender and/or gender identity or expression status, nationality, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/creed, and/or sexual orientation. We are committed to supporting all staff through flexible working schemes, family-friendly policies, training and development, and staff networks. We value the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seek to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual in line with equality legislation. We encourage applicants to consult our Dignity and Respect Policy and learn more about our EDI related initiatives.
Appointment may be made on the IUA PD1 Salary Scale: €47,273 - €53,925 (pro rata .6 FTE) p.a.
Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.
We encourage you to reach out to us directly should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process.
Please note interviews will be conducted either online via Microsoft Teams or in person in the first instance. Candidates may also be required to attend interviews in person if an interview takes place online. Candidates will be notified as appropriate
Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal https://ore.ucc.ie/ Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to [email protected] quoting the job-title.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday 19th June 2026.
No late applications will be accepted.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
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
Contact Person : Pauline Frizelle
Contact Email : [email protected]
Job ID : 097213
Contact Number :
Close Date : 19-Jun-2026 12:00
10 months, Fixed Term, part-time Post
This position will have a role as operational manager (as part of a team) of the Happy Talk national randomised controlled trial, led by Dr Pauline Frizelle, at UCC.
The work builds on a small-scale single blind effectiveness trial of 'Happy Talk', a community embedded, targeted selective SLT programme that simultaneously engages with parents and early childhood educators. The pilot trial showed large effects (.6SD) on understanding and moderate effects (.46SD) on a composite language measure, for children from areas of social disadvantage (5). In addition, 'Happy Talk' was deemed to be feasible and acceptable to parents and staff and cost- effective (6), making it a suitable programme to be delivered at scale. The proposed study aims to a) evaluate an at scale randomized control trial of 'Happy Talk' compared to usual care; b) complete a pre-trial process evaluation to inform intervention implementation - examining factors which promote parental engagement and partnership between SLTs and educators and incorporating these into SLT training and future rollouts of the programme; c) to complete a concurrent process evaluation from a realist perspective to examine how the mechanisms underpinning Happy Talk are influenced by the implementation context and therefore what would need to be considered for successful implementation across varied settings; d) establish barriers and enablers for clinicians in helping conduct trials and e) complete an economic evaluation in which the costs and benefits of 'Happy Talk' are compared to standard pre/school care.
Achievement of the expected progression within Post Doc and Senior Post Doc is transferable between the Irish HEI's. This can be reflected in the starting pay of a PD researcher. Similarly, as the PD scheme is an intergenerational training scheme completion of PD1 or PD 2 levels in one HEI will normally render that researcher ineligible for appointment at a similar level in another Irish HEI Researcher Career Development Framework | Irish Universities Association
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
Project Title Implementing a targeted selective speech, language, and communication intervention at scale - the case of Happy Talk
Post Duration: 10 months, part-time Post (0.6 FTE)
For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see https://ore.ucc.ie/ The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Professor Pauline Frizelle, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences Tel: + 353 (0) 87 8057394; Email: [email protected]
For further information on the Department: Speech and Hearing Sciences | University College Cork
University College Cork is committed to being a fully inclusive global university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core values under our UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028. UCC holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of age, care-giving status, disability, ethnicity, gender and/or gender identity or expression status, nationality, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/creed, and/or sexual orientation. We are committed to supporting all staff through flexible working schemes, family-friendly policies, training and development, and staff networks. We value the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seek to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual in line with equality legislation. We encourage applicants to consult our Dignity and Respect Policy and learn more about our EDI related initiatives.
Appointment may be made on the IUA PD1 Salary Scale: €47,273 - €53,925 (pro rata .6 FTE) p.a.
Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.
We encourage you to reach out to us directly should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process.
Please note interviews will be conducted either online via Microsoft Teams or in person in the first instance. Candidates may also be required to attend interviews in person if an interview takes place online. Candidates will be notified as appropriate
Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal https://ore.ucc.ie/ Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to [email protected] quoting the job-title.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday 19th June 2026.
No late applications will be accepted.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
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
Contact Person : Pauline Frizelle
Contact Email : [email protected]
Job ID : 097213
Contact Number :
Close Date : 19-Jun-2026 12:00
