Minister Mitchell O’Connor announces details of Career-FIT programme to attract international research experts to work in Irish industry-focussed technology centres

Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Julie Sinnamon, CEO announced the details of Enterprise Ireland’s Career-FIT programme on 14 February 2017.

Career-FIT is a postdoctoral fellowship programme, part-funded by Horizon 2020 and Enterprise Ireland with the aim of bringing 50 high-level research fellows into Ireland to work in the Enterprise Ireland Technology Centres.

These centres which are jointly supported by IDA Ireland deliver industry-focussed research to the 482 company members. The Career-FIT programme is designed to help fill the skills gap in some of the Technology Centres ensuring that Irish companies have access to the best academic researchers in their industry sector.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Mitchell O’Connor said; “The Career-FIT programme is the first of its kind, addressing the skills shortage in industry-focussed research in Irish Technology Centres. This programme will benefit both the successful academic researchers and the Irish companies connected with the industry-focussed Technology Centres”.

A key feature of Career-FIT is the opportunity for experienced researchers from outside Ireland to develop their careers in market focused applied research through 3 year fellowships with secondment into industry through Ireland’s Technology Centres.

Julie Sinnamon, CEO Enterprise Ireland said; “Enterprise Ireland connects business and academic research to drive new innovative products, processes and services, helping Irish companies to develop a competitive edge in international markets.
The Career-FIT programme will facilitate the placement of 50 international academic experts in 13 Technology Centres where they will work on industry-led research of direct relevance and value to Irish businesses. The outputs of the collaboration will help Irish companies to build scale, and expand their reach in global market”.

Each multidisciplinary centre offers excellent facilities and equipment for Fellow use: experienced scientific staff to support the Fellow’s research and extensive enterprise relationships on which market focused applied research can be progressed.
There will be two calls under the Career-FIT programme. The first call has an application deadline of 31 March 2017. The second call will open in 2018. There will be 25 fellowships awarded in each call.

For more information contact the Enterprise Ireland Career-FIT Help Desk.
Telephone: +353-1-727 2665
E-mail: careerfit@enterprise-ireland.com