Linking & Networking Lead - AI Factory Antenna Ireland
Linking & Networking Lead - AI Factory Antenna Ireland
JOB ADVERTISEMENT
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time, specific purpose position as an AI Factory Antenna Linking & Networking Lead with the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) at the University of Galway, Ireland. The position is available immediately, with flexibility to work from our Dublin or Galway offices.
Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC)
ICHEC is Ireland’s national centre for High-Performance Computing (HPC) providing digital infrastructure capabilities and expertise through R&D engagements and skills development programmes to academia, industry and public sector organisations.
With a highly ambitious leading-edge Strategy for Advanced Computing (HPC, Data, AI, Quantum) in Ireland and Europe, ICHEC provides infrastructure services and expertise in HPC and data platforms to for computational sciences, AI, high performance data analytics, Earth Observation, quantum computing and cybersecurity across several sectors including environmental informatics, life sciences, deeptech/material sciences, urban sciences, and other disciplines.
ICHEC works in close partnership with national and international researchers, enterprises and public authorities for joint R&D, skills development, and provisioning HPC and data services to accelerate their digital transformation and green transition.
For more details about this position, reach out via careers@ichec.ie or visit www.ichec.ie
Salary: Research Fellow salary scale €66,548 - €86,874 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.
The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.
(Research Salary Scales - University of Galway)
Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on March 20, 2026.
It will not be possible to consider applications received after the closing date. Interviews are planned to be held during the w/c March 30, 2026. *
Please review full job description for further details and essential requirement
JOB DESCRIPTION
Join a pioneering European AI infrastructure initiative as the Linking & Networking Lead for Ireland's AI Factory Antenna. This is a unique opportunity to shape international AI collaboration by building strategic partnerships between Ireland, France, and the broader European AI ecosystem.
As part of the Technical Leadership Team, you'll coordinate activities between ICHEC and CeADAR to establish Ireland's position within the EuroHPC AI Factory network, creating pathways for Irish enterprises, researchers, and public sector organisations to access world-class AI infrastructure and expertise.
IRL-Antenna is Ireland's contribution to Europe's AI infrastructure network, funded under the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking programme. We're building a connected ecosystem where enterprise, research, and the public sector collaborate to tackle major challenges in health, environment, energy, manufacturing, and beyond. The project links directly to AI Factory France (AI2F), giving Irish users access to some of Europe's largest AI training and inference infrastructure.
Duties:
The role supports the delivery of secure, accessible and efficient HPC and data infrastructure resources for users across enterprise, public sector and academic research communities.
Key responsibilities include the following:
Strategic Partnership Management
• Lead linking activities with AI Factory France (AI2F), coordinating infrastructure sharing, joint service models, talent exchange, and data federation
• Establish networking relationships with Luxembourg AI Factory, BSC-AIF, LUMI-AIF, and other European AI Factories and Antennas
• Build partnerships with European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), EuroCC centres, Centres of Excellence, and Testing & Experimentation Facilities
Data Ecosystem Coordination
• Engage with national data providers and infrastructure operators to enable access to key data assets (health, environmental, agricultural data)
• Support co-development of IRL-DataSpaces initiative for federated data sharing
• Facilitate collaboration on data spaces between Irish and European partners
Cross-Organisational Leadership
• Coordinate linking and networking activities across ICHEC and CeADAR teams
• Work closely with Resources Development Lead, Support Services Lead, and Ecosystem Engagement Lead
• Engage Associated Partners and align activities with service delivery goals
• Prepare periodic reports documenting linking and networking achievements
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Essential Requirements:
1. Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related field (Master's/PhD preferred) with 10+ years relevant full-time post primary degree research/industry experience
2. 5+ years managing international partnerships or multi-stakeholder collaborative projects
3. Experience with European research programmes (Horizon Europe, EuroHPC, or similar)
4. Strong understanding of AI/ML infrastructure, HPC environments, or distributed computing
5. Proven track record of building relationships across organisational and national boundaries
6. Excellent communication skills in English (written and verbal)
Desirable Requirements:
1. Experience working with French or Luxembourg organisations (language skills advantageous)
2. Knowledge of European data governance frameworks and regulations
3. Background in HPC, scientific computing, or research infrastructure
4. Experience negotiating agreements and defining joint activities between partners
5. Understanding of AI ecosystem components: training, inference, deployment, MLOps
6. Track record presenting at international conferences or stakeholder forums
7. Project management certification or demonstrable PM experience
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Continuing Professional Development/Training: Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia. Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment - see HERE for further information.
FURTHER INFORMATION/LINKS
1. TO APPLY: Search Current University of Galway vacancies. Applications must be submitted online.
2. For informal enquiries, please contact careers@ichec.ie
3. University's Strategic Plan
4. Working in Research at University of Galway
5. Moving to Ireland (Euraxess)
7. We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.
8. University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.
9. All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment.
