Associate Professor in Chemistry with Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

Associate Professor in Chemistry with Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

School of Chemical Sciences

Faculty of Science & Health

Permanent Contract

Dublin City University
Dublin City University is a leading innovative European University with a mission to 'transform lives and societies'. DCU ranks as one of the world's Top 350 Universities, Times Higher Education , and is proud to be Ireland's No. 1 Young University. The University is known for the 'transformative student experience' it offers, and is also recognised for its impact in addressing global challenges in collaboration with national and international stakeholders.

Overview of the School
The School of Chemical Sciences, is one of Ireland's most progressive and highest achieving Schools with outstanding facilities, housed within a modern and dynamic city campus. Our goal is to develop graduates with the ability to critically evaluate, and then to solve, chemical and pharmaceutical problems, preparing the highest quality graduates capable of meeting the challenges of modern industry and research. The School is highly successful at attracting large scale research funding, with our researchers having roles within nationally significant university/industry collaborative initiatives and European funded Integrated Training Networks. The Schools undergraduate programmes include the BSc in Analytical Science, the BSc in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the BSc in Chemistry with Artificial Intelligence, and the BSc in Environmental Science & Technology. The School also contributes to the BSc in Science Education.

Role Profile
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a track record in one or more of the following areas: AI-driven materials discovery, cheminformatics, predictive modelling, or data-intensive chemical research, biomaterials, molecular dynamics simulations, energy materials and the development of nanomaterials. The appointee will contribute to the core teaching in a number of these areas at undergraduate level in the School. Building positive relationships with professional support staff and technical and pedagogy specialists, and engagement with key stakeholders within and outside of DCU is an important part of this role. This role is designed to strengthen the School's capacity to integrate data science and artificial intelligence into chemistry education, research, and industry collaborations. The appointee will be expected to carry out activities across all three domains of Teaching & Learning, Research & Scholarship and Service & Contribution to the University. Specific details are set out below. The successful Applicant will report to the Head of School and work closely with other colleagues.
The successful candidate will be expected to take up the post no later than 1st January 2027, in preparation for the start of Semester 2 teaching.

Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and tasks of the position include, but are not restricted to, the following:

To assist with the continued development of teaching programmes, the School now plans to make an appointment at Associate Professor level.

Teaching and Learning
The appointee will provide leadership in teaching and learning, contributing to curriculum design and development across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The role encompasses programme design, module coordination and delivery, supervision of final year and postgraduate research projects, and engagement with pedagogical innovation, including the use of digital platforms, simulations, and AI-based tools. Typical activities include:

• Contributing to the design and development of new modules or programmes.
• Developing and delivering new or reconceptualised modules and resources.
• Designing assessments/examinations and other types of coursework.
• Using a wide range of teaching and assessment methodologies which foster a deep approach to learning to equip students with the skills and attributes needed to be lifelong learners, including challenge-based and immersive learning.
• Co-designing with other academic colleagues and industry partners a suite of tools and initiatives that support DCU's Transversal Skills pathway and embedding transversal skills development assessments into new and existing programmes.
• Proactive engagement with the renewal of existing courses and programmes.
• Engagement with professional development for teaching.

Research and Scholarship
The appointee will lead an independent, externally funded research programme of international standing, publish in high-quality peer-reviewed journals, and supervise postgraduate researchers to completion. They will proactively seek and secure competitive research funding, foster collaborations with industry and international partners, and contribute to the research culture and strategy of the School. The appointee's research profile should align with and strengthen the School's current research priorities.

Service and Contribution to the University and Society
The appointee will take an active role in the governance and strategic development of the School, Faculty, and wider University, including contribution to planning, quality review, and external accreditation processes. They will engage with relevant professional bodies, support the School's international agenda, and provide mentorship to early-career colleagues. The appointee will be expected to take on meaningful administrative and leadership tasks as agreed with the Head of School. Examples include:

• Engagement with planning, quality review and improvement processes, and external programme accreditations.
• Involvement with appropriate professional bodies and associated initiatives.
• Development and delivery of the international activities of the School.
• Adoption of some administrative functions related to the activities of the School, the Faculty, and the wider University. Such duties will be defined by the Head of School and may include some of the following: degree programme coordination; participation in committees; visits to students on industrial placement within the DCU INTRA programme; student recruitment.

Qualifications and Experience
Essential criteria:

• Applicants must hold an honours degree and PhD in Chemistry, or a related discipline such as AI/machine learning in chemistry or biochemistry.
• Applicants must hold a minimum of five years' relevant undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and learning experience at university level.
• Have an established, independent research profile with a demonstrated track record as Principal Investigator, including successfully secured external research funding. Evidence of leadership of a research group and supervision of postgraduate students to completion is expected.
• A demonstrated record of teaching and programme and/or module leadership in chemistry and/or AI/data science in chemistry, with evidence of curriculum development and pedagogical innovation at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• Have a sustained publication record of senior/corresponding author peer-reviewed original publications in high-quality journals, with a strong field-weighted citation impact.
• Candidates should demonstrate excellent interactive and communication skills consistent with the highest quality of teaching and learning, together with evidence of successful teamwork and a collegial approach.

Essential Training
The postholder will be required to undertake the following essential compliance training:

• Orientation
• Health & Safety
• Data Protection (GDPR)
• Cyber Security Awareness
• AI Literacy

Other training may need to be undertaken when required.

Salary Scale: Associate Professor Salary Scale - €92,001 - €121,262

Appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and in line with current Government pay policy

Closing date: Sunday, 5th July 2026

Remote Working Policy
DCU operates a Remote Working Policy. Employees may be approved for up to 2 days of remote working per week (or an appropriate pro-rata amount for those part time). Any remote working arrangement will be reflective of the predominant on-campus working environment and the core University value of 'Student Focused'.

Employees will be based on campus for the majority of their working week to ensure a sustained on campus engagement and experience. The terms of the remote working policy will apply

For more information about the School of Chemical Sciences, visit SOCHS

Informal Enquiries in relation to this role should be directed to:
Professor Mary Pryce, Head of School of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, Dublin City University.

Phone + 353 (0)1 7008005 Email: [email protected]

Please do not send applications to this email address, instead apply as described below.

Application Instructions

Application Procedure:

Please submit your application through the online system at www.dcu.ie/people/jobs, in order to be considered for the role to which you are applying for, you must upload:

1) Curriculum Vitae

2) Cover Letter

3) Completed application form (blank forms can be downloaded from the bottom of the Vacancy).

Please note, if all items are not uploaded, the application will be deemed incomplete, and will not be processed.

Dublin City University is an equal opportunities employer.

In line with the Employment Equality Acts 1998 - 2015, the University is committed to equality of treatment for all those who engage with its recruitment, selection and appointment processes.

The University's Athena Swan Silver Award signifies the University's commitment to promoting gender equality and addressing any gender pay gaps. Information on a range of university policies aimed at creating a supportive and flexible work environment are available in the DCU Policy Starter Packs

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