Wednesday 5th August 2026: We are delighted to announce a new call-out for Science on Screen animations in conjunction with our partner, Ardán.
Animators are being sought to create short one-minute digital animations, to explain research projects being developed at Rinn Medical Devices. The goal is to create animations which can communicate complex ideas in an easy-to-understand way for many audiences and to bring modern, innovative Irish research to life on the screen.
Ardán and Rinn Medical Devices will host an information day on Thursday 20th August on University of Galway to allow researchers and animators to meet and learn more about eachothers’ work. More info below.
Rinn Medical Devices have outlined five research projects for animation. Each of the five animations will have a total budget of €6,000, a duration of 50-60 seconds and a time frame of 14 weeks to complete.
While a portfolio of work is required in order to be eligible to apply, new talent and various levels of experience are encouraged. Mentorship in an area of interest to the animator is also an option.
Application Process
Applications will open from 2pm on 20th August until 17th September.
Interviews will take place on 1st October.
The selected animators will be provided with a draft script for the animation from the researcher and will work with the research team to develop the final script before producing the animation over the time frame, receiving feedback throughout from the stakeholders (Rinn Medical Devices, Ardán, the researchers and those living with the health conditions).
Previous animations made can be found here.
Guidelines
- Animators can apply as an individual or as a team.
- The applicants must be habitually resident in Ireland.
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or over.
- Students in full-time education are not eligible to apply.
- The animator must be able to show through their portfolio their ability to create a high-quality animation.
- Animators may be offered the opportunity to produce more than one project.
- Animators can nominate areas in which they would like to receive mentorship.
- AI is not permitted during the production process for image generation and any voiceover must be from a human voice.
- Applications open at 2pm on Thursday 20th August and close at 12pm on Thursday 17th September.
Requirements
- Cover Letter
- Project Outline including sample mood board for one or more of the research projects.
Note: Applicants can express an interest in a specific research project but are not guaranteed to be assigned it if selected. - Notes on the vision, production method and time scale of project
- A CV for each member of the team (PDF format) containing relevant experience.
- Online link to the showreel, or previous animation work for each member of the team (PDF format).
- Basic Budget for how the €6,000 will be spent on the production
- Applicants must be available for online interview on 1st October 2026
- Applications will be available via this FORM from Thursday 20th August at 2pm.
- Use of AI for image generation or voiceover / narration is not permitted.
Research Projects: *(For more detailed description of projects, scroll to bottom of this page.)
Project 1: SKINSENS by Manus Biggs
SKINSENS is a smart sensing system that is being developed for continuous monitoring of skin tissue following reconstructive surgery involving skin grafting, to detect early issues that might occur.
Project 2 Optical Sensor Ultrasound by Dervil Cody
This project will develop an optical sensor to enable the measurement of how much energy is being delivered during High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment which is used to deliver medicines and treat certain cancers without surgery.
Project 3: OCUSPHERE by Andrew Gallagher
OCUSPHERE is a new delivery platform for eye drops to improve its retention on the eye’s surface where currently up to 95% of each dose is washed away by blinking and tear drainage.
Project 4: LAMPRYX by Thomas Linjse
LAMPRYX is an injection device designed to enable precise and reliable access to the bladder wall for administering of treatment for those living with Overactive bladder (OAB).
Project 5: Drug Delivery for Wound Pain by Preethem Srinath
This project is developing a gel that is applied directly to wounds to provide pain relief at source, instead of the use of painkillers which take effect across the whole body.
RSVP for Information Day
Ardán and Rinn Medical Devices will host an information day on Thursday 20th August on University of Galway campus at BSB building, Upper Newcastle, H91W2TY from 11am to 1:15pm.
At the Information Day, the researchers will present their projects to the audience which will be the subject of the animations.
Animators will also have the chance to pitch themselves and their previous work to the researchers.
Note: If an animator wishes to present their previous work on screen, their presentation needs to be provided to Ardán by 12pm on Tuesday 18th August.
Please RSVP for the Information Day through this form.
Questions can be sent to kenny@ardan.ie
About Rinn Medical Devices
Rinn Medical Devices, established in 2026, is focused on supporting healthy ageing by developing medical device innovations that tackle the chronic conditions most likely to affect people as they age.
Building on the outputs of CÚRAM, the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices (2015-2026), our work is guided by three core research areas: Cardiovascular-Renal-Metabolic health, Neurological health, and Cancer and Inflammatory conditions, reflecting health challenges that matter most to older individuals and the people who care for them.
About Ardán
Ardán is a registered charity based in Galway city, and operating in the West of Ireland and beyond. We support creatives in the audio-visual industry, in film, TV, games, and animation, through funding, training, and events, and by providing opportunities for entry, emerging, and established individuals working in the screen sector.
Previously Galway Film Centre, Ardán rebranded in 2022 to reflect the broader geographic and sectoral focus of the organisation which includes the greater Western Region and newer industry sectors including games and animation.
About Science on Screen
Science on Screen (a partnership between Rinn Medical Devices and Árdan) is one of these programmes that provides opportunities for collaboration between our researchers, artists and communities impacted by the research. Since 2016, Science on Screen has produced nine documentaries based on Irish research. These films have reached an audience of nearly two million people worldwide, earned six international awards and have been screened at over 30 film festivals in 17 countries. In 2022, a new animation strand was developed and to date, 10 animations have been made.
*More Detailed Description of Projects:
Project 1 – SKINSENS (Manus Biggs): Worldwide, nearly 1.5 Million reconstructive procedures involving skin and tissue grafting are performed annually, with these surgeries carrying risks such as postoperative complications with up to 10% of these procedures failing thus significantly impacting healthcare costs. Meticulous postoperative monitoring is key to success of skin grafting enabling detection of issues fast. SKINSENS will develop a smart bioimpedance sensing system capable of continuous monitoring of tissue perfusion following reconstructive surgery which aims to detect early vascular compromise before clinical symptoms become visible.
Project 2 (Dervil Cody): High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is an innovative medical technology that uses powerful sound waves, far beyond the range of human hearing, to target tissue deep inside the body. HIFU has many potential uses, including delivering medicines more effectively and treating certain cancers without surgery. However, because these sound waves are mechanical in nature and invisible, it is difficult for healthcare professionals to measure exactly how much energy is being delivered during treatment. This research project is developing an optical sensor consisting of a holographic film that changes colour when exposed to HIFU energy. By providing a clear visual indication of HIFU output, the sensor could help clinicians check that equipment is working correctly and delivering the intended treatment, ultimately improving confidence, safety, and outcomes for patients.
Project 3 -OCUSPHERE (Andrew Gallagher): Eye drops are used extensively to treat a wide range of eye conditions; however, up to 95% of each dose is washed away in seconds by blinking and natural tear drainage, limiting how much medication reaches the target tissue. OCUSPHERE delivers a new approach by using an innovative ocular delivery platform designed to improve retention on the eye’s surface, enabling drug delivery where it is needed most. With a simple application process, comfortable wear, and the potential for improved treatment outcomes, OCUSPHERE represents a smarter, more patient-friendly solution for ocular drug delivery. OCUSPHERE – Easy to apply, Easy on the Eye!
Project 4 -LAMPRYX (Thomas Linjse): Overactive bladder (OAB) affects approximately 1 in 6 adults worldwide, disproportionately impacting women. Botox injections into the bladder wall are an effective treatment for ~75% of patients, but current delivery techniques are vary greatly leading to variable outcomes for patients, impacting their quality of life. LAMPRYX is a novel endoscopic injection device designed to enable precise and reliable access to the bladder wall reducing leakage and misdirected drug delivery while simplifying the injection procedure, aiming to make it safer, faster, and more reliable for doctors and patients alike.
Project 5 – Preethem Srinath: Some wounds can take a long time to heal and can be very painful particularly leg wounds. Caring for these wounds often involves regular cleaning and dressing which is challenging. Painkillers can help but their effects are across the entire body as opposed to just targeting the pain point. This project is developing a gel that is applied directly to the wound to provide pain relief.
Ends.
