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Prof. Brian MacCraith, Director, Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, DCU DCU, November 3, 2005

Leadership in a Changing Research Environment. Prof. Brian MacCraith, Director, Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, DCU DCU, November 3, 2005. Outline. R&D Context Background Developments as a Research Centre Director Experiences / Observations Key issues from HR perspective The Future.

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Prof. Brian MacCraith, Director, Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, DCU DCU, November 3, 2005

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  1. Leadership in a Changing Research Environment Prof. Brian MacCraith, Director, Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, DCU DCU, November 3, 2005

  2. Outline • R&D Context • Background • Developments as a Research Centre Director • Experiences / Observations • Key issues from HR perspective • The Future

  3. Context • Knowledge Society • Key role for R&D; Government Policy • Future economic growth • IDA / FDI • Unprecedented levels of Investment • NDP 2000-2006:€2.5bn Science R&D budget • 1.46% of GNP • Barcelona: → 3% GDP (2010) • Rapidly changing environment

  4. Public funding of Ireland’s science base is at unprecedented levels. Source: Science Budget database, Forfás

  5. bottom-up (€)PRTLI etc strategic (€)SFI etc ~ €1bn

  6. Major Funding Sources • Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) • Higher Education Authority (HEA) -- PRTLI • Enterprise Ireland (EI) • EU: Framework VI → VII • Industry • ….

  7. HEA PRTLI Cycle 1 – 1999 • Infrastructural deficit • 3-year funding • Key challenge: Sustainability

  8. Chemical Sensors & Biosensors • 21Academic Faculty • >165 Researcherschemists, physicists, biologists, engineers. • Largely short-term funding • Commercialisation / industry orientation NCSR Profile

  9. Research Income * Incomplete data

  10. SFI (€5.6m) NCSR / UCD Centre for Bioanalytical Sciences (IDA ~€10m) Smart Coast (~€1m) Large-scale Projects SFI CSET €22.5m

  11. Siemens Industry / Commercialisation • Industrial collaboration (SFI / IDA / EU….) • Patent portfolio / IP Ethos / Confidentiality … • NCSR Commercialisation strategy / Growcorp Gas Sensor Solutions Ltd Fluka

  12. SFI CSET’s • SFI Flagships: Centres for Science, Engineering & Technology (CSET’s) • Industry-Academic Partnership • 5-year funding – up to €25m • Possible renewal to 10 years • Emphasis on world-class science leading to economic impact

  13. The Partnership Academic members Industrial members Clinical context + Associate members

  14. Key Features • Award (€16.5m) will fund a team of 55 • Scale of Industry involvement (+€6m) > 10 Industry Researchers located in Centre • Integration of academic & industrial scientists • IP Agreements • Researcher Contracts • World leading researchers…. Expectations! • …..

  15. Issues for Research Leaders • Key role for R&D / National Economic Responsibility • Quality vs Scale • ‘Supply’ of Leaders • Managing opportunities provided by unprecedented levels of Investment • Sustainability / Commercialisation • Competitive environment for recruitment • Retention…

  16. Observations I • Huge reliance on voluntarism • Team building • Shortage of Leaders • Tensions: • Teaching vs Research; School vs Centre • Rapid scale-up vs Support Units • No rewards for performance • Importance of core administrative team

  17. Observations II: Full-time Researchers • Competitive environment for recruitment • International dimension • Competing on world stage • Evaluation • Immigration / Time delays • Salaries • Spectrum • Value of CHIU Scales

  18. Observations III: Full-time Researchers • Critical need for research career structure • Resolution of Pensions issue • Value & Respect – Identity • Appropriate accommodation • Induction programmes • Retention!

  19. Observations IV Positive Impacts: • Ireland • DCU • AOIP (Annual Overhead Investment Plan) • Support Structures (HR, Finance, OVPR etc) • Technical Support • Broader research community

  20. Key Issues for HR • Scale -- Support • Competitive Environment • Research Careers • Pensions • Industry interaction / Commercialisation • Performance management & Rewards • International Dimension • Assistance in the search for new leaders – ‘Hit Squad’!

  21. Key Issues for HR • Expert Group on Future Skills Needs • Research spending rising to 2.5% of GDP • Researcher population: 10,214 (2003) →18,304 (2010) • Significant shortages projected

  22. Key Issues for HR • ‘Since most R&D expenditure is on staff salaries, the ability of Ireland (& the EU) to close the R&D gap will depend ultimately on the availability of R&D personnel to perform the R&D…’ • Need to be competitive – make Ireland an attractive location for researchers

  23. Attractive Location • Quality of Research • Reputation; Presence of Leaders • Efficient, responsive environment • Nature of Contracts • Research careers • Accommodation / Facilities • IP

  24. Conclusions: The Future • On the rising curve…. • Next NDP likely to increase emphasis on R&D • Innovate or stagnate! • Need for professional, responsive support structures • Compete on the world stage

  25. Acknowledgements DCU HR Dept is grateful to Bennett Construction for sponsorship of this event.

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