- Applications are open to UCD Postdoctoral Researchers on Level 1 and Level 2 contracts, including those holding individual fellowships (e.g. IRC Postdoctoral Fellow (PD Level 1) or Marie Curie Post Doctoral Fellow. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact: (opens in a new window)researchcareers@ucd.ie.
- Applicants must have a minimum of six months remaining on their contract from the start date of the first module to ensure full participation in the programme.
- Applicants must be available to attend all three in-person training days: 25 February, 23 March, 22 April 2026.
- Full attendance at all training days is expected of selected participants.
- Applicants must consult with their Principal Investigator (PI) before submitting their application.
Leadership in Action
A Pilot Programme for Postdoctoral Researchers
Co-designed by Postdocs, for Postdocs
As a postdoctoral researcher, the job and funding applications often ask you to demonstrate your leadership capacity. You know you have project management skills - you feel like you supervise/ manage people/ students well and you are always managing your time to fit your energy and keep research moving forward. But what exactly is leadership? How is it different from management? What do they want you to talk about? What does good leadership look like, and how can you recognise and cultivate it, in yourself, and in others?
This three-day pilot programme invites postdoctoral researchers to take an active role in shaping their own leadership development. Delivered in collaboration with our training partner,(opens in a new window) 64 Million Artists, the programme offers participants a unique opportunity to co-design elements of the content, ensuring it addresses the leadership challenges and opportunities most relevant to them.
The programme aims to build leadership capacity at the postdoctoral level through interactive learning, reflective practice, and peer-led exploration, all within a supportive and inclusive environment.
To inform the co-design process, participants will be invited to attend two optional online consultation sessions scheduled for December 2025 and January 2026. These sessions will help shape the content and structure of the modules. Capacity for the consultations is limited, and interested applicants will be asked to indicate their availability in the Expression of Interest (EoI) form. Dates are listed in the programme schedule below.
Following the consultation phase, the programme will consist of three in-person modules, each focusing on key aspects of leadership development.
The programme is open to postdoctoral researchers* from all disciplines, with a total of 18 places available.
*Please see the eligibility criteria below.
To apply for the Leadership in Action programme, please read the eligibility criteria and programme schedule below. Interested applicants must complete the online Expression of Interest form and submit an electronic copy of the Application Form, links below.
(opens in a new window)Expression of Interest form
Leadership in Action Application form
We will be accepting applications from 15 October to 10 November 2025, 5:00 PM (Irish time).
UCD is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from researchers of all backgrounds, disciplines, genders, and ethnicities.
Each application will be reviewed by a designated selection panel. Assessment will be based on the applicant’s personal statement, with consideration given to three key areas: leadership potential, motivation to engage with the programme, and clarity of development goals and anticipated impact.
Successful applicants will be notified by the end of November 2025, in advance of the first online consultation session in December.
Workshops will be delivered in a mix of online and in-person formats, as follows:
| Consultation session 1 with 64 Million Artists | 11 December 2025 10:00 - 12:00 (online) |
| Consultation session 1 with 64 Million Artists | 13 January 2026 10:00 am – 12:00 (online) |
| Module 1 | 25 February 2026 (in-person) |
| Module 2 | 23 March 2026 (in-person) |
| Module 3 | 22 April 2026 (in-person) |