Trinity is Ireland’s leading university and is ranked 75th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026). Founded in 1592, the University is steeped in history with a reputation for excellence in education, research, and innovation, which has been inspiring generations of thinkers for over 400 years. Thrive: Trinity College Dublin's Strategic Plan 2025 - 2030
Trinity College Dublin seeks to appoint an exceptional Executive Director to lead its large-scale National Centre for Quantum Information Science and Technology, Rinn Quantum. Rinn Quantum brings together researchers from academia from a wide range of disciplines, investors and industry to co-develop a responsible and thriving quantum ecosystem. This initiative aims to cultivate and engage within the wider collaborative research environment, strengthen Ireland’s national ambitions in this area, communicates and elevates our activities our global standing in quantum technologies, and support the development of a sustainable talent pipeline into the future. The Executive Director will provide strategic, academic, and operational leadership to advance the Centre’s mission, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and position Trinity as a global leader in quantum science and technology. The Executive Director will be responsible for delivering the strategic vision of the Centre’s operations, research collaboration, innovation, commercialization, industry engagement and stakeholder management while ensuring the smooth execution of all non-research activities.
Ireland’s new research centre, Rinn Quantum, aims to establish Ireland as a global leader in quantum information science and technology. It will leverage existing strengths and unite the national sectors in quantum science and technology between academia and industry. The Centre’s establishment will position Ireland as a strategic participant in the EU’s quantum technology initiatives while at the same time enabling strong engagement with the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ecosystem. To achieve this, the centre will deliver an ambitious programme of carefully selected research activities designed to stimulate scientific breakthroughs, growth, and to further strong industrial partnerships.
Post Status: Specific Purpose
This role is for the specific purpose of leading and supporting the development, growth, and delivery of the Rinn Quantum Research Centre’s business development and industry engagement activities. This includes identifying and securing new partnership opportunities, supporting the commercialisation of research outputs, and contributing to the expansion of the Centre’s collaborative and funding portfolio across its thematic research areas
Employment is not offered on an indefinite duration basis, as all activities are directly linked to the scope and duration of the Rinn Quantum Research Centre and are expected to come to an end. The role is dependent on the continued requirement for specialised business development and external engagement support within the Rinn Quantum Research Centre.
Termination of this contract will occur in the event of on completion of the work in which you are engaged, or in an event that that Centre activities have concluded, or the funding stream being terminated or withdrawn by the funding agencies.
Hours of Post: 35 hours per week
Salary: Appointment will be made on the Senior Administrative Officer 2 (€111,114 - €148,547 per annum) and in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines.” https://www.tcd.ie/hr/employee-services/pay-scales/
How to Apply: In order to assist the selection process, applicants should submit a full curriculum vitae and a cover letter (max 2 x pages) indicating how you fit the role profile as set out above.
Closing Date: 12 noon (Irish Standard Time) 8th July 2026 Application will only be accepted by applying online through the Trinity Jobs Portal
https://my.corehr.com/pls/trrecruit/erq_jobspec_details_form.jobspec?p_id=039298 Applications must be made by the date and time specified. Please allow enough time to make your application. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system Late Applications will not be accepted.
Please see the Job Description below for this position.
Interview - first round will take place 11th August 2026
Informal enquiries on the role can be addressed to Professor John Goold, Centre Co-Director, School of Physics at
[email protected].
Values matter. They are key to the success of our Strategic Plan. We centre our behavioural values around the importance of belonging. We recognise that the university will thrive by each of us respecting and caring for one another. We know we can achieve much more through working together. We know too that we must take responsibility for our actions and be accountable. We must, and will never stop, imagining. And through being nature positive we connect not just with the environment but with our ambitions for a sustainable future.
At Trinity, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Trinity welcomes applications from all individuals, including those applicants with disabilities, those who may have had non-traditional career paths, those who have taken time out for reasons including family or caring responsibilities. We also welcome international applicants including those who have been displaced due to war.
Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s premier University. We are an EU Sustainable Gender Equality Champion and we hold an Athena Swan Silver award, recognising our ongoing work to advance gender equality both within Trinity and in the Higher Education sector. Trinity is committed to supporting work-life balance and to creating a family-friendly working environment.
