The director general of State research funding body Science Foundation Ireland has announced his decision to leave the post and take up a position in the US.
William Harris has headed the foundation for four years and will move next summer to become provost at California Polytechnic State University.
Dr Harris became the first director general of the new Science Foundation Ireland in September 2001. The body was formed to disburse research funding worth €646 million provided under the 2000-2006 National Development Plan.
He informed the foundation's board in May that he would not be seeking a renewal of his contract, but would continue working as director general until he took up his post in California.
He will become provost and also vice-president for academic affairs at California Polytechnic.
The planning process to select a new director general was already under way in consultation with chairman Prof Patrick Fottrell and the board, said the foundation.
