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Queen’s University Belfast

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Belfast, United Kingdom
=196th in World University Rankings 2027
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Working, teaching and research at Queen’s University Belfast

Information about Queen’s University Belfast for Academics

Queen’s University Belfast is a world-class international university built on teaching excellence, leading-edge research, innovation, collaboration, and engagement.

We are recognised globally for our academic strengths and the impact we deliver through leading research. We encourage a culture of research ambition to tackle some of the greatest societal challenges of our time.

It is our purpose and responsibility to take on major global challenges and turn research to reality; every day, we find answers to help build a better society. Staying apace with rapid societal, economic, and technological change, our aim is to shape a better world for all.

Our strategic research areas are based on our record of excellence and ambition for the future:

A Healthy Living for All

Our researchers are dedicated to deepening our understanding of diseases and developing solutions and treatments for them. Our expertise in conducting clinical trials and our world leading facilities in cancer and precision medicine research are a testament to the breakthroughs that Queen’s research has facilitated over the decades. We are also leading the way in developing strategies and initiatives which mitigate against the worst effects of illness, and which act as preventative agents to illnesses developing in the first place.

How we are delivering:

Giving Voice to the Hidden Carers of Cancer

Researchers at Queen’s are pioneering ways to better understand and support those who care for loved ones with cancer. Professor Martin Dempster, Professor of Psychology Applied to Health & Illness, explores the psychological wellbeing of informal carers; from adolescents balancing school with caring responsibilities, to families navigating the emotional and practical demands of life-limiting cancers such as oesophageal cancer. His work ensures that the voices of carers, often hidden from formal support systems, are recognised in healthcare research, practice, and policy.

Read more here.

A Transformative and Sustainable Economy

The economy of the next 100 years will be a necessarily different one to the economy we experience today. The ongoing climate crisis, our fossil fuel dependency, raw material shortages and the possibility of supply chain disruptions call for innovative, responsible, and sustainable solutions. We will continue to focus our efforts on established and emerging areas such as intelligent manufacturing and service delivery, advanced and sustainable materials, solutions to future transport requirements, and understanding and harnessing high energy and ultra-fast processes.

How we are delivering:

Moving Towards Zero Emissions Public Transport

Researchers from Queen’s, in collaboration with Wrightbus have developed best-in-class low and zero emissions technologies playing a key role in decarbonising UK and international public transport.

Read more here.

Secure Connect Intelligence – AI and the Data Revolution

Researchers at Queen’s are on a mission to make the changing global digital space both safer and faster. Our world leading teams in cyberspace resilience and networks and connectivity are breaking new ground in the digital sphere, as our teams in geographical information science are doing in the physical.

Novel computer systems and changing computing paradigms require agile and cutting edge research which can be translated quickly and effectively into real world practice. Using data fusing enabling technologies will assist in socio economic development but will also act as a positive driver for the health of populations in the future, and for their safety and security.

How we are delivering:

Using Emerging Technologies to Improve Lives

Listen to our Research to Reality roundtable discussion featuring four academics from Queen's University Belfast: Lucy Baxter, Professor Paul Best, Professor Franziska Schroeder and Professor Roger Woods. Hosted by former BBC journalist Mark Devenport, this conversation delves into the potential power of VR and AI in transforming understanding of mental abuse and improving mental health, inclusive design in the music industry, and making AI smarter, faster, and greener.

Listen here.

The impact of the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT)

Our Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) is the UK’s Innovation and Knowledge Centre for cyber security which drives forward major research breakthroughs in the field of secure information technologies.

Read more here.

Human Environment Relations

Understanding the relationship between humans and our environment has never been more important.  The choices we face have never been so stark.  Our climate is changing.  The effects of this are being felt now as a day-to-day reality. There is an obligation on those involved in academic research to turn towards the challenges presented.

Whether this relates to our natural environment, creating safe and secure agri-food systems, assessing the way in which our built environment interacts with the natural world, or in the way we build and maintain truly liveable communities and societies, Queen’s researchers are at the forefront of innovative, future focused solutions that aim to make our footprint lighter, both on earth and beyond.

How we are delivering:

Fighting Hidden Climate and Environmental Threats

Listen to our engaging academics in a roundtable discussion which delves into the overarching theme of ‘Fighting Hidden Climate and Environmental Threats’. Professor Jaimie Dick highlights the potential impact of invasive alien species, Dr. Ross Cuthbert addresses the hidden cost of biological invasions, and Professor Maarten Blaauw explains the importance of peatlands as critical carbon reservoirs.

Listen here.

Inclusive and Cohesive Communities

As a university based in Belfast, we are proud of our longstanding and world leading track record in research relating to peace, identity, conflict, and social sustainability. Our lived experience of conflict as a society, its causes, and its consequences, have driven a determination to deliver research excellence which impacts on the lives and livelihoods of communities across the world.

Whether that relates to governance, accountability, and international relations, listening to and responding to the child’s perspective, understanding the need for creativity and cultural understanding, or valuing heritage in building inclusive and cohesive communities. 

How we are delivering:

Advancing Transitional Justice: Queen’s University Belfast’s Role in Global Peacebuilding

Queen’s University Belfast has established itself as a global hub for pioneering research in transitional justice, a critical field focused on addressing the legacies of conflict and fostering reconciliation. Through interdisciplinary research led by experts like Professor Kieran McEvoy, the university develops innovative frameworks for truth recovery, victim-centred justice, apologies & acknowledgement, and reintegration strategies, influencing peacebuilding efforts worldwide.

Read more here.

Harnessing the Arts to Heal Post-Conflict Societies

Queen’s University Belfast leads pioneering research examining the transformative power of literature and the arts in societies recovering from conflict, with a special focus on Northern Ireland. The university’s work, exemplified by scholars like Dr. Stefanie Lehner, investigates how contemporary Irish theatre and cultural productions negotiate memory, trauma, and reconciliation.

Read more here.

Key Statistics for Professionals

Key data points related to studying at Queen’s University Belfast

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Over 99% of Queen’s research environment was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent. (REF 2021)
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Gold Athena Swan award
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4000+ staff
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AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF RESEARCH CENTRES AND INSTITUTES
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Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group, the UK’s 24 leading research-intensive universities.
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Ranked 5th in the world for international outlook. (THE World University Rankings 2026)
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Queen’s is the 1st university in Ireland and 2nd in the UK to achieve a Gold Athena Swan award for gender equality.
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Jobs at Queen’s University Belfast

Open positions for academics and staff at Queen’s University Belfast

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Lecturer (Education) in Modern Irish Literature

QUEENS UNIVERSITY BELFAST

Queen's University Belfast

United Kingdom, Belfast

institution

Queen's University Belfast

United Kingdom, Belfast


About the job: The School of Arts, English and Languages seeks to appoint a temporary Lecturer (Education) in Modern (20th and/or 21st-century) Irish Literature for a fixed term of 9 months (starting 1 January 2027). The successful candidate will convene and teach modules at Stage 2, Stage 3, and MA, and contribute more generally both to the teaching in English at undergraduate level and to School administration. About the person: The successful candidate will have a completed PhD (post-viva) in modern (20th and/or 21st-century) Irish literature and have relevant teaching experience at undergraduate level. They will ideally be able to demonstrate the ability to design course materials and to plan and organise the delivery and assessment of taught courses in their own specialism, and have the experience of supervising undergraduate dissertation projects and teaching at postgraduate level. This is not an exhaustive list. To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information document on our website.

Salary

£46,936 per annum

Posted

11 Oct 2026

Research Fellow in Nutrition - Research, Policy and Impact

QUEENS UNIVERSITY BELFAST

Queen's University Belfast

United Kingdom, Belfast

institution

Queen's University Belfast

United Kingdom, Belfast


About the job: The Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems has an ambitious programme of work which aims to develop a robust, resilient and sustainable food system in the transition to healthy diets form sustainable sources. It encompasses a research programme from plant science to nutrition and public health across three jurisdictions - the Republic of Ireland (ROI), Northern Ireland (NI) and Great Britain (GB). The Co-Centre will foster research and innovation to accelerate radical transitions towards a more environmentally and economically sustainable and transparent agri-food sector. The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team to deliver both a longitudinal household study and an intervention trial to monitor and improve the transition to healthy diets from sustainable sources across the Island of Ireland.The candidate will work together with post-doctoral researchers and research assistants to coordinate and deliver research activities across the projects and identify policy relevance for the study; therefore, excellent organisational and communication skills are essential. Alongside these responsibilities, the post holder will be responsible for developing a research funding strategy, identifying funding and policy opportunities and drafting and co-ordinating national and international research funding bids, working closely with colleagues from across the Co-Centre.The Research Co-ordinator will also work with counterparts at UCD and Sheffield to engage in national and international networks to highlight the Co-Centre's research, build consortia and develop future partnerships. About the person: The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria: Have or about to obtain a Phd in nutrition or other relevant discipline. Substantial post-doctoral experience and skills in intervention trials Track record of high-quality publications commensurate with stage of career. Experience of project management, delivering research outcomes and proven ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment as part of a research team. Experience in managing and coordinating research funding submissions through national and international agencies. To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding. What we offer: Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more on our website.

Salary

£42,972 per annum

Posted

12 Oct 2026

AI Engineer

QUEENS UNIVERSITY BELFAST

Queen's University Belfast

United Kingdom, Belfast

institution

Queen's University Belfast

United Kingdom, Belfast


About the job: The Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC) is a £16.3M investment by InvestNI and the Department for the Economy to support the uptake of AI in Northern Ireland's businesses. Delivered by Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, the AICC works with companies to develop solutions to real-world problems. The successful candidate, based at Queen's University Belfast, will work on a range of applied AI projects co-developed with companies to address business needs, developing rapid proof-of concept solutions. They will also assist with the development and delivery of AI skills programs and will have opportunities to work with academic researchers to help translate their research into commercial application. About the person: The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following: Essential Criteria: 2:1 Honours Degree, or equivalent, in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent industry experience. Practical experience of software design and development in a commercial R&D environment. Experience in producing high-quality outputs such as demonstrators, prototypes, technical reports, design specifications and project deliverables which have successfully passed formal quality review procedures within a relevant R&D environment. Experience of current Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning methodologies/tools e.g. agentic patterns, LLM orchestration, vision models etc. Desirable Criteria: MEng, MSc or Ph.D. in a relevant area. Hands-on AWS/Azure/Cloud expertise. Experience with AI tools outside the frontier model space e.g. open-weight models, fine-tuning, Small Language Models, edge models, distillation or similar Experience of working in high technology start-ups. To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information. This post is available for two years.Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

Salary

£42,972 - £51,270 per annum

Posted

21 Sep 2026

Project Engineer-3D Weaving

QUEENS UNIVERSITY BELFAST

Queen's University Belfast

United Kingdom, Belfast

institution

Queen's University Belfast

United Kingdom, Belfast


We are seeking a highly motivated Engineer to work in AMIC's Sustainable Polymer and Composite team to help and contribute to projects being delivered as part of AMIC's advanced manufacturing activities. You will apply your specialist knowledge and experience of 3D weaving processes, textile preform design and process validation to generate innovative research outputs which have a direct economic and technical benefit to companies and sectors. Due to the hands on nature of this role, it is based primarily onsite. You will work collaboratively with the sustainable polymer and composite team, wider AMIC team, industry partners, technology providers, national technology centres and academia to deliver key projects focused on advanced technical textiles for composite structures. AMIC is a £100M investment through the Belfast Region City Deal - a collaborative, innovative powerhouse of advanced manufacturing set to elevate our region globally. We are supporting economic growth and prosperity for Northern Ireland by creating high quality jobs and increasing inward investment through high value manufacturing innovation clusters. About The Person The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant engineering discipline, science, or a related discipline or minimum HND in a related engineering discipline with extensive recent and relevant experience. Demonstrable experience in 3D weaving processes and technical textile engineering, including the development of woven preforms and their integration into composite products. Evidence of process development and improving woven preform designs, weaving methods or textile manufacturing technologies to meet performance, quality, cost, and delivery requirements. Experience of using relevant software packages for weave design and loom operation. Experience of working with engineering drawings and working to close tolerances. Evidence of relevant equipment proficiency, including setup, operation, maintenance, testing, and essential repair of textile weaving systems. To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website. This post is available for 3 years. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

Salary

£36,366 to £41,727 per annum

Posted

12 Oct 2026

Engaged Research and Impact Manager

QUEENS UNIVERSITY BELFAST

Queen's University Belfast

United Kingdom, Belfast

institution

Queen's University Belfast

United Kingdom, Belfast


The Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems has an ambitious programme of work which aims to develop a robust, resilient and sustainable food system in the transition to healthy diets form sustainable sources. It encompasses a research programme from plant science to nutrition and public health across three jurisdictions - the Republic of Ireland (ROI), Northern Ireland (NI) and Great Britain (GB). The Co-Centre will foster research and innovation to accelerate radical transitions towards a more environmentally and economically sustainable and transparent agri-food sector. The post holder will drive the Engaged Research and Impactagenda within the Co-Centre. Working closely across the three jurisdictions, the post holder will be responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing an ambitious and integrated engaged research programme, develop and mobalise pathways to impact and develop impact case studies from the ongoing research. They will be responsible for ensuring the achievement of the Co-Centre's KPIs and for securing additional external funding to expand all engaged research and impact activities. They will link closely with the funder(s) engaged research Programmes. They will report to the Co-Directors and Co-Centre Manager. About the person: The successful candidate must have and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria: Honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in any subject. Proven track record in leading and overseeing initiatives in public engagement with science/research, and/or science learning, including experience of participatory or co-creative approaches. Significant relevant experience managing impact and engaged research activity within an academic environment to include: Knowledge of engaged research methodologies and evaluation methods. Knowledge of monititoring pathways to impact while similtanously identifying and developing impact case studies. Strong networking and consultative skills, with the ability to grow professional relationships across diverse sectors. Ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible and meaningful to diverse audiences through dialogic, participatory, and creative approaches. Proven ability to manage complex, multi-partner programmes, including partnerships with civil society and cultural organisations. Experience with monitoring, evaluation, and impact frameworks. Experience designing and implementing mixed-methods evaluation frameworks, including qualitative, creative, and participatory approaches. Project management experience associated with the development, delivery, reporting and monitoring systems for programmes, publications, and events. This is not an exhaustive list. To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website. This post is available for 29 months. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

Salary

£52,802 per annum

Posted

12 Oct 2026

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Research

Latest research news

Articles and news relating to research at Queen’s University Belfast

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Dove flying in front of high rise building
THE Connect podcast: building peace through early childhood education
Research from Queen's University Belfast shows that evidence-based early-years programmes can rebuild trust and social cohesion in conflict-affected societies