The College is seeking applications for 3 PRISM Agri-Food Research & Innovation (R&I) Co-ordinators for fixed-term 3 year posts. The postholders will be based at the SMEs’/companies’ premises with limited time spent at the Strand Road or Limavady Campuses.
The post holder will work as an embedded R&I Co-ordinator – Agri-Food, to help drive real change in the Agri-Food sector helping participating SMEs (Small & Medium Enterprises)/Companies with innovation and decarbonisation. Additionally, they will support the PRISM Agri-Food Cluster Manager and Foodovation™ Centre to ensure the successful delivery of the PRISM programme. The role involved providing support to a number of agri-food SMEs, helping them find and introduce low-carbon solutions, sustainable methods, and new or improved products or processes within their manufacturing sectors.
The post holder will work with each SME to design and put in place strategies that drive measurable improvements in efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness across the participating SMEs.
PRISM – Powering Research & Innovation for Sustainable Manufacturing is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
The role will include:
1. Research and Innovation Engagement – Work closely with the companies’ staff to identify opportunities for product, process, and organisational innovation, co-design solutions, help create solutions and develop tailored decarbonisation plans.
2. Project Action Progression – Record research activities and results, support project reporting, and help create SME case studies to share successes.
3. SME Support and Knowledge Sharing – Act as the main contact between the company, Cluster Manager, and other partners to encourage collaboration and the use of sustainable practices.
4. Performance Monitoring – Help the PRISM Cluster Manager track progress, measure results, and support continuous improvements.
5. Stakeholder Engagement – Build good relationships with companies, trade groups, and academic partners to increase the project’s impact.
6. Compliance and Reporting – Ensure adherence to PEACEPLUS and SEUPB branding, visibility, quality assurance, and reporting requirements, as well as College policies on health, safety, equality, and diversity.