Transcript Document

Leadership in a Changing
Research Environment
Prof. Brian MacCraith,
Director, Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, DCU
DCU, November 3, 2005
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 2000-2006: €2.5bn Science R&D budget
– 1.46% of GNP
• Barcelona: → 3% GDP (2010)
• Rapidly changing environment
Public funding of Ireland’s science base
is at unprecedented levels.
Public Funding of R&D 1993-2003 (2003 prices, €m)
€m
450
400
350
422
22
25
395
397
2002
2003
331
34
300
277
239
250
225
200
164
150
71
182
187
74
81
154
135
34
88
78
85
297
62
100
50
417
200
93
101
92
108
106
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
152
140
1998
1999
0
2000
2001
Year
Exchequer
Source: Science Budget database, Forfás
EU
bottom-up (€) ~ €1bn
PRTLI etc
strategic (€)
SFI etc
4,100,000
31,400,000
64,000,000
55,000,000
153,500,000
78,700,000
331,500,000
62,000,000
126,000,000
63,900,000
Bioscience / Biomedicine
ICT
Environment & Marine
Chemical & Physical Sciences
Social Science / Humanities
Engineering
Maths
Bioscience / Biomedicine
ICT
Environment & Marine
Chemical & Physical Sciences
Social Science / Humanities
Engineering
Maths
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
NCSR Annual Research Income
(€, millions)
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
1999
2000
2001
2002
Year
* Incomplete data
2003
2004
2005*
Large-scale Projects
SFI (€5.6m) NCSR / UCD
SFI CSET €22.5m
Centre for Bioanalytical Sciences
(IDA ~€10m)
Smart Coast (~€1m)
Industry / Commercialisation
• Industrial collaboration (SFI / IDA / EU….)
• Patent portfolio / IP Ethos / Confidentiality …
• NCSR Commercialisation strategy / Growcorp
Siemens
Fluka
Gas Sensor Solutions Ltd
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
Academic
members
Industrial
members
Clinical context
+ 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
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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
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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.