Technology Researcher
Employer: TASC
Location: Dublin (occasional travel required)
Salary: Minimum of €42,500 per annum, commensurate with experience
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (9:00am–5:30pm)
Role Overview
The Technology Researcher will contribute to TASC's research programme examining the social, economic, political, and environmental implications of emerging technologies, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, labour markets, digital infrastructure, and digital sovereignty. Current research priorities include the impact of AI on work and workers, the socio-environmental impacts of data centre development, and the governance of digital technologies in Ireland and Europe.
The successful candidate will design and undertake mixed-methods research, including literature reviews, qualitative interviews, focus groups, surveys, quantitative data analysis, and policy analysis. They will contribute to the delivery of national and European research projects, develop evidence-based policy recommendations, and produce reports, policy briefings, consultation submissions, and other research outputs.
The role requires regular engagement with policymakers, trade unions, civil society organisations, researchers, industry representatives, and other stakeholders. The postholder will also contribute to grant development, project reporting, public events, and media engagement where required.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and deliver qualitative and quantitative research projects.
- Conduct literature reviews, interviews, focus groups, surveys, data analysis, and policy analysis.
- Produce research reports, policy briefings, consultation submissions, academic outputs, and other publications.
- Support the management and delivery of externally funded research projects, including European research programmes.
- Coordinate research activities with project partners and external collaborators.
- Contribute to grant applications and reporting requirements.
- Present research findings at conferences, workshops, stakeholder meetings, and public events.
- Support media engagement and the communication of research findings to diverse audiences.
- Undertake other duties consistent with the requirements of the role.
Essential Skills
- Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills, including experience designing and conducting mixed-methods research.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with fluency in English.
- Strong knowledge of Irish and European technology policy, particularly relating to artificial intelligence, labour markets, digital sovereignty, and the socio-environmental impacts of digital infrastructure.
- Ability to translate complex technical and policy issues into accessible outputs for policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.
- Strong organisational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple research workstreams simultaneously.
- Experience facilitating stakeholder engagement across government, civil society, academia, industry, and organised labour.
- Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.
- Proficiency in quantitative analysis software (such as R or Stata) and experience using visualisation tools such as Tableau or Canva.
Desirable Skills
- Conversational ability in a European language other than English.
- Experience maintaining research project websites or digital communications platforms.
- Experience working across interdisciplinary research teams involving social science and technical disciplines.
Qualifications
- Master's degree or PhD in public policy, digital policy, economics, political science, sociology, or another relevant discipline.
Experience
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A minimum of five years' research experience in artificial intelligence, technology policy, economics, public policy, or the social sciences.
- A minimum of two years’ experience working within the Irish think tank, research, or civil society sector.
- Experience managing complex research projects and coordinating multidisciplinary research teams – professional project management experience is preferred.
- Proven success in preparing competitive research grant applications.
- Experience working on European Union-funded research projects and familiarity with EU funding programmes and reporting requirements.
- Experience producing high-quality research reports, policy briefs, consultation submissions, and publications.
- Demonstrated experience conducting research on the societal impacts of AI adoption and the governance of digital infrastructure in Ireland is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated commitment to social equality, economic inclusion, and evidence-informed public policy.
Suitable applicants should send a CV and cover letter to [email protected] by July 28 at 5pm. Due to the high number of applicants, we will be unable to respond to individual submissions or provide feedback on application packages.
Pay: €42,500.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in DUBLIN 2, County Dublin
