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Open Positions at IVI

Ph.D. Research Position Available in:

Data Governance and Evidence based Policy Making-Partnership for Research on Ageing and Older People

03/07/2025

We offer an exciting opportunity to join a project on Data Governance and Evidence based Policy Making – Partnership for Research on Ageing and Older People funded by Research Ireland via Lero, the Research Ireland Centre for Software and co-funded by the non-academic partner, Age Friendly Ireland, a Local Government led service. The project aims to combine insights into age-friendly policy making with advancing best practices in data governance, allowing for an efficient data gathering, sharing, and exploitation approach within Age Friendly Ireland.

The PhD position is for a maximum of 48-month (subject to annual review with satisfactory progress and satisfactory contribution to the research project), hosted at the Innovation Value Institute at Maynooth University, a distinctive, research-intensive institution renowned for its interdisciplinary strengths across science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. The success candidate will be required to be an active member of the Innovation Value Institute and attend in person.

Value and Duration of PhD Scholarship Award:

The award is fully funded for 4 years, commencing September 2025. The following funding is committed:

  • Student stipend: €25,000 per annum
  • Annual Tuition Fees Support (EU fees only)

The scholarship is awarded for 4 years of study, subject to satisfactory annual academic progression and satisfactory contributions to the research project.

Position:

The aim of this position is to understand the data gathering and sharing and specific requirements around promoting age-friendly environments. The PhD candidate will undertake a state-of-the-art review of best practices, tools and approaches consisting of an exploratory phase investigating and benchmarking tools and approaches available to actively control and validate data sharing agreements. This will be achieved by conducting a literature and market review, benchmarking those to agreed quality requirements. The survey and review will provide an analysis of the technology, design options, develop a common architecture, map current state of the art and recommend a roadmap for the research going forward. It is essential that this system is designed to work within the public service/local government system and connect with national models in the Local Government Management Agency.

Requirements and Eligibility:

  • A Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or similar relevant discipline
  • Excellent academic track record and outstanding achievements
  • Knowledge and expertise in Software Development and experience with programming languages
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team
  • Be self-motivated, output-driven and demonstrate the motivation, commitment and clear career
    perspective to undertake PhD research
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English with the ability to interact with team
    members, stakeholders, and for reporting findings and scientific publications and outreach
  • Awareness of Research Integrity and Public Engagement in Research
  • Knowledge and experience in three or more of the following areas:
    • Data Modelling and Data Management
    • Familiarity with Data Governance
    • Process Modelling and/or Enterprise Architecture concepts and tools
    • Data science/analytics, information system design and development
  • Fulfil Maynooth University’s Ph.D. entry and English language requirement

Desirable Skills:

  • Research experience with industry / non-academic organisations 
  • Publications and/or conference papers in data governance or information systems
  • Awards demonstrating the excellence and commitment

How to apply:

To apply, please submit your documents to claudia.roessing@mu.ie, including the following information:

  • A detailed Curricula Vitae (CV) of maximum 3 pages
  • A cover letter describing how you meet the criteria
  • Full transcript of records of your university-level studies so far
  • Details of at least two referees
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Proof of sufficient English language skills
  • Previous publications or previous significant work (thesis, final year project, or similar). Links to an online free access repository are sufficient.

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must provide written evidence of competency in the English language that satisfy the programme-specific requirements set out by the Maynooth University International Office. All scholarship Awards are conditional on approval for registration by the University.
All eligible candidates will be considered for open positions. Applicants may be shortlisted for interview and, if so, will be contacted directly by the Innovation Value Institute.
Informal queries can be sent to claudia.roessing@mu.ie

Application Deadline:

Please apply by 23:30pm (local Irish time) on Sunday, 10th of August 2025.

Please submit applications directly to: claudia.roessing@mu.ie (and in cc markus.helfert@mu.ie

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