Fitzgerald runs for top Trinity post

THE country's highest-paid academic, Professor Des Fitzgerald, who is on a €263,000-a-year salary, has unexpectedly thrown his hat into the ring for the job of TCD provost.

But if he gets it, he will have to take a pay cut of €60,000, as the salary for the Trinity job is €202,118 a year.

Prof Fitzgerald, who is the vice president for research at UCD, is one of six candidates for the prestigious post.

The only other outsider is archaeology professor Robin Coningham, pro-vice-chancellor and head of the social sciences and health faculty at Durham University.

The front runner is TCD engineering professor Patrick Prendergast, who has temporarily stood down as vice-provost/chief academic officer at the college for the duration of the appointment process.

The other internal candidates are chemistry professor John Boland, international business professor Colm Kearney, and modern history professor Jane Ohlmeyer.

The election takes place on April 2. The new term of office will run until 2021.

- John Walshe

Irish Independent