Open Research Manager (Library)

Applications are invited for the following position:

Title of Post: Open Research Manager (Library)

JOB SYNOPSIS

The University of Limerick Library is seeking an enthusiastic and innovative Open Research Manager to play a key role in developing strategies to make University of Limerick (UL) research available as widely as possible to an international audience, with the aim of increasing UL’s research excellence and impact. Based within the Research Services Department of the Library & Information Services Division and reporting to the Head of Library Research Services, the postholder will work across the institution to ensure that UL’s research is published in high-quality, openly accessible venues, reaches the widest possible audience, and achieves the greatest possible societal and scholarly impact. The postholder will be UL’s primary expert in open access publishing, scholarly communications, and the responsible use of research metrics. They will provide hands-on advisory, training, and advocacy work for researchers at all career stages while also contributing strategic analysis and policy engagement to support UL’s research ambitions. They will also lead and manage the institutional repository, including its operations, team, and strategic development. The role will be central to UL meeting its obligations under the National Open Research Forum (NORF) 100% Open Access target and to fulfilling the commitments of UL’s Wisdom for Action Research Strategy 2022-2027 and subsequent strategies.

Office of the Provost & Deputy President

Library & Information Services Division

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary Scale: €61,642 - €87,643 p.a.

University of Limerick is a research-led, energetic and enterprising institution with a proud record of innovation and excellence in education and scholarships. We value creativity, curiosity and excellence in our inclusive community which is committed to social good. Our motto Eagna chun Gnímh translates as Wisdom for Action reflecting our mission to contribute to the discovery of new knowledge for a better world.

Informal enquiries regarding the post may be directed to:

Ms Ashling Hayes

Head

Library Research Services

University of Limerick

Email: [email protected]

The closing date for receipt of applications is Thursday, 12th November 2026

Applications must be completed online before 12 noon, Irish Standard Time on the closing date.

Please note your application must include:

A letter of introduction and a current CV indicating how you meet the criteria outlined in the Job description.

A completed online application form.

Are you currently legally entitled to work and reside in Ireland?

If you are not currently an EEA Citizen and have stated that you are currently legally entitled to work and reside in Ireland, you MUST upload a copy of your current Visa and Work permit in the attachments section application form. Unfortunately, if the attachment, as noted, is required and not provided your application cannot be processed.

Please note your current work authorisation status must allow you to fulfil the terms of the contract on offer.

Please email [email protected] if you experience any difficulties

Applications are welcome from suitably qualified candidates.

Further information for applicants and application material is available online from: University of Limerick Vacancies

We are committed to upholding the principles of fairness, equality, and transparency in pay, in line with the EU Pay Transparency Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/970)

Many thanks for your interest in this role.

TITLE OF POST: Open Research Manager (Library) LOCATION: University of Limerick REPORTS TO: Head - Library Research Services CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent SALARY SCALE: €61,642 - €87,643 p.a.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB SYNOPSIS:

The University of Limerick Library is seeking an enthusiastic and innovative Open Research Manager to play a key role in developing strategies to make University of Limerick (UL) research available as widely as possible to an international audience, with the aim of increasing UL’s research excellence and impact. Based within the Research Services Department of the Library & Information Services Division and reporting to the Head of Library Research Services, the postholder will work across the institution to ensure that UL’s research is published in high-quality, openly accessible venues, reaches the widest possible audience, and achieves the greatest possible societal and scholarly impact. The postholder will be UL’s primary expert in open access publishing, scholarly communications, and the responsible use of research metrics. They will provide hands-on advisory, training, and advocacy work for researchers at all career stages while also contributing strategic analysis and policy engagement to support UL’s research ambitions. They will also lead and manage the institutional repository, including its operations, team, and strategic development. The role will be central to UL meeting its obligations under the National Open Research Forum (NORF) 100% Open Access target and to fulfilling the commitments of UL’s Wisdom for Action Research Strategy 2022-2027 and subsequent strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A degree and an accredited qualification in librarianship, information science or related area OR a doctoral degree in any subject (level 10NFQ)

OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB:

The Open Research Manager will provide strategic leadership for the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of open research and open access services across UL. The role will support academic and research staff to understand, adopt, and embed open research practices in line with university policies, funder requirements, and international standards. Working collaboratively with faculties, professional services, library colleagues, and external partners, the postholder will lead service innovation, policy implementation, advocacy, training, and researcher engagement, ensuring that UL researchers receive expert, practical, and timely support across the research lifecycle. The role will contribute to a culture of openness, transparency, responsible research assessment, and equitable access to research outputs, strengthening UL’s capacity to meet evolving scholarly communication, compliance, and open research expectations.

DESCRIPTION:

Key Responsibilities

The Open Research Manager will design, lead, and continuously improve innovative, efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective open research services. They will support UL academic and research staff to implement open research practices in line with university policies, funder requirements, and international standards. Open Access Service Delivery

• Lead UL’s institutional Open Access Service, including UL’s Institutional Repository team, ensuring researchers receive expert, timely, and practical support in making their research outputs openly available. Support researchers in navigating complex publisher- specific deposit policies, funder requirements, licensing options, and compliance processes.

• Develop and implement medium- and long-term service plans and roadmaps for Open Research services

• Equip researchers to make informed decisions about high-quality publication venues.

• Raise awareness of predatory journals, questionable publishing practices, and conference risks, and protect the integrity and visibility of their work.

• Monitor and report on institutional open access uptake, publication workflows, and compliance rates for UL senior management, the Higher Education Authority, external funders, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Oversee and coordinate the institutional implementation of UL’s transformative agreements, ensuring effective communication, uptake, compliance, and alignment with institutional open access and open research goals.

• Manage and develop mediated deposit workflows for institutional and subject repositories, including relevant external repositories such as arXiv, acting as an institutional contact where required.

• The post holder is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, coordinating and expanding UL’s Research Repository service. Drawing on existing expertise and advice from colleagues in Digital Scholarship & Systems, the Open Research Manager will be responsible for implementing any system upgrades and major changes to the service.

• The role will support the integration of digital workflows, automation, and AI tools, where relevant, to enhance and promote open processes, tools, and service delivery.

Open Research Leadership & Advocacy

• Support the strategic development and future direction of open research services within the library and across UL.

• Act as an ambassador for open research and academic engagement, influencing practice, sharing best practice, and promoting long-term cultural change across UL.

• Provide leadership on the infrastructure, workflows, policies, and processes required to support the adoption of open research practices across the University.

• Work collaboratively with the Office of the Vice President Research and Innovation, Faculties, Research Centres and University Professional Services

• Work with the Library’s Research Services team to deliver a coherent and joined-up research support offer across the research lifecycle.

• Lead or contribute to university initiatives, committees, working groups, and task forces relating to open research, open access publishing, scholarly communication, and research assessment reform.

• Lead the development and review of institutional policies, procedures and frameworks relating to open research and scholarly communications.

• Act as principal advisor to Library leadership on developments in open research, open access publishing and responsible research assessment.

• Support UL’s research assessment reform agenda, including embedding Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) aligned evaluation practices and promoting the responsible use of metrics in recruitment, promotion, appointment, and assessment processes.

Open Research Training, Communications and Engagement

• Strategically develop and lead a coordinated programme of advocacy, training, and support on open research and open access publishing for UL research staff and students.

• Deliver faculty, departmental, school, research centres and researcher briefings on open access publishing, scholarly communication developments, open research practices, funder requirements, rights retention, and the evolving policy landscape.

• Deliver regular open access deposit clinics and one-to-one support, producing researcher-specific guidance where required.

• Promote Open Research services through a range of marketing, communications, and web-based resources.

• Develop and maintain accessible online instructional guidance e.g. LibGuides, FAQs, training materials, and self-service resources to support researchers between consultations and promote consistent service delivery.

Professional Networks and Activity

• Develop and maintain substantial professional knowledge to provide expert advice to all stakeholders.

• Be a thought leader in Open Research community, participating in established networks to further own expertise.

• Contribute to institutional, national and sector-level developments through relevant networks, working groups, collaborative initiatives, presentations, and publications.

General

• Manage staff, students, or other contributors as required in the delivery of open research and open access services including the institutional repository team (Currently 1.5 FTE)

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and nature of the post as directed by the Head of Library Research Services.

• Contribute directly to Library planning relating to research support, scholarly communications and open research.

• Contribute actively to Research Services team planning, reporting, and the wider activities of Library & Information Services.

• As required, contribute to the library’s services by carrying out timetabled duties during daytime and flexible hours as needed (for which compensatory leave is granted, as per management/union agreements)

Essential Criteria:

• A degree and an accredited qualification in librarianship, information science or related area OR a doctoral degree in any subject (level 10NFQ)

• At least three years’ relevant and recent professional experience in an academic library, research support, or specialist information environment, OR equivalent experience developed through doctoral or postdoctoral research, with a clear understanding of researcher workflows, challenges, and support needs.

• Strong knowledge of the open access landscape, including open access publishing routes, author rights, licensing, funder mandates, transformative agreements, and publisher policies.

• A thorough understanding of the Irish higher education research environment, including the roles and requirements of Research Ireland, HEA, NORF, and IReL.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with researchers, academic leadership, and senior management.

• Proven ability to build effective working relationships with academic and professional services staff at all levels and across organisational boundaries.

• Strong organisational skills, with experience managing competing priorities and projects to deadline.

• Commitment to continuing professional development and staying current with open research, open access, and scholarly communications developments.

• Evidence of initiative, independent working, sound judgement, and effective problem solving in a busy service environment.

• Proven organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to plan and prioritise work to meet agreed and evolving targets.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of managing staff.

• Experience of contributing to policy, procedure or guideline development in an academic institution or HE environment.

• Experience designing and delivering training, workshops, and guidance materials on scholarly communications, open access, or related topics.

• Demonstrated commitment to responsible metrics and an understanding of COARA and DORA principles.

• Experience managing or contributing to an institutional open access service or repository.

• Experience contributing to national open research initiatives, such as IReL working groups or NORF.

• Experience of scholarly communications advisory work, including advising researchers on publication venue selection, open access options, and the risks of predatory publishing.

• Working knowledge of bibliometrics and research metrics, including FWCI, journal quartile rankings, citation analysis, and field- normalised indicators, and the ability to use these responsibly to support researchers.

• Familiarity with bibliometric platforms such as Scopus/SciVal or Web of Science/InCites.

Further Information for Candidates:

Are you currently legally entitled to work and reside in Ireland?

If you are not currently an EEA Citizen and have stated, you are currently legally entitled to work and reside in Ireland. You MUST upload a copy of your current Visa and Work permit in the attachments section application form, or your application will not be processed. Please note your current work authorisation status must allow you to fulfil the terms of the contract on offer.

Recruitment Procedures used at University of Limerick (UL)

University of Limerick uses a three-stage recruitment procedure: screening, shortlisting and interview.

Screening: Initially, applications for an advertised position are screened to determine if applicants meet the ‘Essential Criteria’ as outlined in the advertised job description. It is only candidates who meet the ‘Essential Criteria’ that progress beyond this stage.

Shortlisting: Depending on the number of applications remaining, it may not be possible to interview every candidate who has passed the screening process. Therefore, at this stage the Selection Board may review the applications and select a final shortlist of candidates who, in their view, are most closely aligned to the post as advertised.

Interview: Once a shortlist has been finalised, all applicants will be notified of the status of their application. The final shortlist of candidates will then be invited to interview. We aim to provide at least two weeks’ notice to all candidates. The interview process will take the format of a standard interview and may include a presentation –you will be provided with details of this in your invitation to interview letter.

University of Limerick benefits to staff

Employees of the University of Limerick receive a variety of benefits including: • Supported professional development under the Researcher Development Programme and Staff Training Programmes.

• Membership of the Public Sector Single Public Service Pension Scheme.

• Membership of the Income Continuance Plan

• The opportunity to join the University’s Additional Life Cover plan.

• Coverage in the UL Sick Leave Scheme (available under “S” on the HR A- Z)

• Flexible working practices such as the Shorter Working Year Scheme.

• Preferential rates for health insurance.

• Employee wellness is a priority and a number of initiatives take place each year for the benefit of UL employees, see more at Be Well at UL.

• Preferential rates for access to the UL Arena swimming pool and fitness centre.

Additional Links: • Join the Team in UL Join the team in UL | University of Limerick • Link to website for new staff New To UL - Staff Roadmap

Equal Opportunities

University of Limerick holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. University of Limerick is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to selection on merit, welcoming applicants from all sections of the community. UL is committed to developing and maintaining a positive working environment, in which all employees are treated with dignity & respect. In pursuit of this, it is the policy of the University to provide all employees with an environment which is free from bullying, harassment or victimisation of any form. You can read more about UL’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion here.

Culture Charter A positive culture within an organisation is a shared system of values and behaviours that influence and reflect how its people behave and interact with each other and the wider community. It is shaped by the everyday actions, behaviours and words that are used. The values and behaviours outlined in UL’s Culture Charter should guide how we act, interact and connect with one another in the challenges and successes of university life.

Pension Abatement If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to or in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee’s re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012. Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/Office/Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position.

Qualifications Please take note of the essential qualifications for this position as listed in the job description. If you are successful in being offered this position, the offer will be made pending the Chair of the selection committee verifying your qualifications. Therefore, after the interview, you will be required to forward your transcripts to the Chair by email. No contract of employment will be issued until all required documentation is received.