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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Research Income * Incomplete data

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

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

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

The Partnership Clinical context Academic members Industrial members + Associate members

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! …..

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…

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

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

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

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

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’!

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

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

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

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

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