University of Limerick unveils €52m science and engineering project

A €52 million science and engineering initiative that will create over 220 new jobs in teaching and construction has officially launched at the University of Limerick today.

The Bernal Project is designed to give Ireland the edge in research in the pharmaceutical, biomedical and energy sciences.

Some 75 long-term research and teaching jobs will be created and an estimated 150 construction jobs will be created in building the laboratories needed.

The project is named after the influential 20th century Irish scientist, John Desmond Bernal who was regarded as the founding father of molecular biology.

The Bernal Project involves the recruitment of 10 world leading professors, with five already appointed.

The University of Limerick Foundation has committed to providing €36million in philanthropic funding for this project primarily from the Atlantic Philanthropies, the project’s main sponsor to date with a commitment of €26.3million.

The Bernal Laboratory will house fully-equipped laboratory facilities in a 7,459m2 building. The building project has begun with completion envisaged by 2015.

Speaking about the new project Dr Mary Shire. UL Vice President of Research said it will have a major impact in promoting Ireland as location for investment.

“Through the Bernal Project the University of Limerick is attracting top researchers from some of the world’s top 100 ranked universities to bring their expertise to Limerick in support of Irish recovery and growth. This investment will have major significance in promoting Ireland as a location for Foreign Direct Investment and job creation particularly in R&D and advanced manufacturing. The Bernal Project provides an opportunity to align the strategic needs of the State with those of the University in their common goal to impact economic, educational and social development nationally.”