The Work

University Lecturers deliver classes to undergraduate and postgraduate students, based on their specialised academic disciplines, e.g. Archaeology, Philosophy, Chemistry, Economics, to name but a few. A great deal of preparatory work is required and a good Lecturer ensures that his/her material is constantly up to date, which involves a wide range of reading and personal study.  
 
Duties include:  

• Planning and designing courses
• Preparing and delivering lectures and demonstrations
• Setting up and leading seminars and one-to-one tutorials
• Assessing and reporting on the progress of students
• Setting and marking tests, exercises, coursework or exams.

Lecturers may also help students to develop research and study skills, and may be involved in organising work experience for their students.
 
Lecturers are also expected to pursue research projects which may involve the direction of projects undertaken by others, usually postgraduate students or research assistants.  
 
Lecturers generally take a personal interest in the courses of study undertaken by their students through tutorials and individual discussion. Many university staff members contribute to student life through participation in lectures, debates and discussions organised by Student Societies.

Career Structure

The career structure is generally consistent across Irish universities:

• PhD Researcher
• Post-doc
• Lecturer
• Senior Lecturer
• Associate Professor
• Professor  

Requirements for Academic Positions

PhD researchers - these roles are considered students and not staff members. They are not entitled to a stipend and pay course fees of €3,000-6,000 per year. Often PhD researchers are eligible to grants or scholarships.

Lecturer - The first appointment to an academic position at an Irish university usually is at the level of Lecturer. Lecturers need a PhD degree and preferably publications of high quality. Contracts for Lecturer are often temporary and for one, three or five years. Many new temporary jobs of one year have emerged because of government funding of sabbaticals through the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS): they award sabbatical funding which includes money to pay for replacement Lecturers.

Permanent Lecturer positions with a probationary period of 12 months. At the end of this period, the promotion committee (made up of senior officers of the university together with four elected academic staff representatives) decides on whether to award tenure or extend the probation period. A positive evaluation requires satisfactory performance of lecturing and other duties, evidence of interest in the pursuit of research and scholarship, and contribution and interest in the departmental development. Upon completion of satisfactory probation, the Lecturer is granted tenure.

From the level of Lecturer, one can be promoted to Senior Lecturer. For this a PhD degree is required along with substantial teaching experience, proven research track record documented by publications and administrative experience.

The positions of Associate Professor and Professor require a PhD degree, internationally recognised research, a substantive publication record as well as a good amount of academic experience.

The most important criterion for academic appointment, tenure and promotion is the research record as demonstrated through scholarly publications in refereed international academic journals that have achieved creditable standing in various Citation Indexes.

Further Information

• Lecturer - Third Level - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Lecturer - Third Level - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Lecturer - Third Level - from: GradIreland
• Lecturer - Third Level - from: GradIreland
• Lecturer - Third Level - from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

In general, the first appointment to an academic position at an Irish university usually is at the level of lecturer. Lecturers need a PhD degree and publications of high quality. The most important criterion for academic appointment, tenure and promotion is your research record, as demonstrated through scholarly publications in refereed international academic journals that have achieved creditable standing in the Citation index.

Posts in Colleges, Universities, Institutes of Technology or other public sector higher education institutions, are advertised and acheived by Open Competition University vacancies. There is no special time of year for recruitment and the number of vacancies overall and in specific areas of study is quite unpredictable Public jobs. 

There is no established or pre-determined training course for academic posts. Training is achieved through the pursuit of academic pursuits. Skills and qualifications in research, Facilitation, teaching can contribute to skillls required by Lecturer posts. 

Successful entrants develop their own style of delivering lectures and communicating with their classes. Members of staff are under the general direction of a Department Head or Professor.

The career structure is generally consistent across Irish universities:

• PhD Researcher
• Post-doc
• Lecturer
• Senior Lecturer
• Associate Professor
• Professor  

Temporary/permanent positions: The increasing use of temporary staff at universities heightens the competition for permanent positions. As in most other EU countries, it is becoming the norm to hold a number of temporary positions to establish academic credentials before being hired on a permanent basis.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €43k - €118k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role. Third level salary scales

Data Source(s):
TUI/ Payscale/ IUA

Last Updated: August, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average growth for this occupation was below average, with employment levels in 2022 unchanged from the previous year. Vacancies for this occupational group primarily related to lecturers (DSP data), with lecturers across a variety of disciplines also featuring in the employment permit data in 2022.

This occupation has a high share of those employed aged 55 years and over (at 25%), indicating that replacement demand alone may create job opportunities in future years. Demographic factors may also lead to an increased demand for these roles, although this will be dependent on government funding.

• Irish Research Council

  • Brooklawn House, Crampton Avenue, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
  • (01) 231 5000
  • [email protected]
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• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
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• Irish Federation of University Teachers

  • 11 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
  • (01) 661 0910
  • [email protected]
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• TUI - Teachers Union of Ireland

  • 73 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6
  • (01) 492 2588
  • [email protected]
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• Department of Education and Skills

  • Marlborough St, Dublin 1
  • (01) 889 6400
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here