Stephen Dawson

COMPANY: SAP

With 12 million users and more than 1,800 partners, SAP is the world’s largest inter-enterprise software company and the world’s third-largest independent software provider overall. A rich history of innovation and growth has made SAP a true industry leader today employing more than 51,000 people in over 50 countries.
SAP Research, the technology research department of SAP, prepares the groundwork for future growth by identifying emerging IT trends with a focus on strategically important SAP business areas. SAP Research’s Campus-based Engineering Centre CEC Belfast was founded in January 2005 as the Research Centre of SAP (UK) Limited.

JOB TITLE: Researcher

A researcher’s role:

• Apply the latest technologies to create prototypes and pilot demonstrations
• Coordinate/Perform research activities, communicate with internal colleagues and external project partners and collaborate with SAP development groups
• Develop patents, guide development and shape the future of the IT industry
• The work covers several areas, including: Performance Engineering, Object Oriented Design, Web-Based Application Design

EDUCATION:

• Our Lady and St Patrick’s College Knock
  A-Levels – Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry

• Queen’s University Belfast
  BEng – Electronic and Software Engineering
  PhD – Electronic, Communications and Information Technology

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Placement Student – Aepona Ltd – Telecommunication Software –– Research and Development

REASONS FOR CHOOSING IT:

IT is increasingly becoming embedded in all facets of life. IT is a challenging career with global employment and travel potential. Creativity and innovation is actively encouraged and supported. A career in IT provides you the opportunity and skills to succeed in various areas of a business.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Strong academic background
• Proactive approach to problem solving
• Analytical and conceptual thinking
• Strong Presentation/Communication/Organisation skills
• Self motivation
• Interest in innovative technologies
• Software engineering especially object-oriented analysis and design
• Project planning and leadership

BENEFITS OF THE JOB:

• Access to a huge commercial and academic research network involving the worlds leading organisations
• Constantly change environment which brings new challenges everyday
• Huge range of career progression paths available
• Highly skilled and diverse group of colleagues
• Exposure to new cutting edge technologies

CAREER GOALS:

In 5 years I see myself leading a research group which has a track record of delivering high quality results both to the company and to the scientific community. I also see my activity in international consortiums and standardisation efforts continuing.