Postdoctoral Researcher position in circular RNA therapeutics

19 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University College Cork

Department

Pharmaceutics

Research Field

Chemistry » Biochemistry
Biological sciences
Pharmacological sciences
Engineering » Biomedical engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)
Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Ireland

Application Deadline

22 Mar 2024 - 17:00 (Europe/Dublin)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE / ERC

Reference Number

074871

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Position summary: We are looking for an exceptionally enthusiastic, creative, and driven Postdoctoral Researcher with a passion for interdisciplinary science and a desire to apply their unique talents to high-impact work aimed at improving human health, to join the laboratory of Dr. Piotr S. Kowalski at the School of Pharmacy at UCC. Dr. Kowalski’s research spans multiple disciplines and will allow candidates to develop their skills in a variety of areas, including circular RNA engineering, RNA delivery, nanomaterials design, and gene therapy.

The current project is supported by an European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant and focuses on elucidating the therapeutic potential of the new class of RNAs with a unique closed-loop structure, called circular RNAs, to tackle unmet medical challenges such as sepsis. This project aims to expand the toolbox of therapeutic RNAs and develop cutting-edge circular RNA tolls for the regulation of gene and protein expression to treat multiple organ failure during sepsis, which is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths worldwide. It will also develop methods to deliver circRNAs inside the relevant cells in the lungs and kidneys. Successful candidates will work in a cross-disciplinary research team and lead the work on developing novel approaches to design and evaluation of circular RNA tolls for therapeutic regulation of gene and protein expression, interacting closely with a group of collaborators supporting our work, comprised of RNA biologists, vascular biologists, immunologists, and clinical scientists.

UCC is an accredited research organisation and as such can form hosting agreements with third country nationals (and non-EEA nationals) for the purpose of conducting research in the University. 

• Candidates with a Master’s or Bachelor's degree in organic chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, or a related field are highly encouraged to apply
• Candidates should have a first-class or upper-second-class honors degree or equivalent
• Prospective Ph.D. students should have prior practical laboratory experience and the ability to contribute in a multidisciplinary team setting.
• Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and excellent oral/written communication skills.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas will be beneficial: drug delivery, chemical synthesis, polymer synthesis, nanoparticle formulation, bioconjugation, nucleic acid purification using chromatography, and animal work.
• The availability to start in Spring/Summer 2024 will be an advantage.
• Successful candidates will receive a stipend of €22,000 per annum (tax-exempt) for four years plus registration fees (at the EU level). Non-EU candidates are encouraged to apply, but they may need to cover extra fees themselves.

About Dr. Piotr S. Kowalski (PI):  I am a biochemist by training with a passion for interdisciplinary biomedical research and entrepreneurship. I have completed my scientific training in five different countries, including Poland (Jagiellonian University), the Netherlands (Groningen University), and USA (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). I have 12 years of mentoring, teaching, and leadership experience both in academic and industrial settings. My current work resulted in over twenty published research articles, the invention of four patents on drug delivery technologies, and the creation of a Cambridge-based biotech startup. For more information please refer to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piotr-kowalski-2715957b/ and http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/C019/[email protected]

About the University College Cork: UCC is a leading Irish university with an international reputation in innovation, and entrepreneurship. It is ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide based on the quality of its research outputs and peer esteem indicators and was the first University to be named The Sunday Times University of the Year for two consecutive years (2016 and 2017). UCC has a vibrant research community of almost 3,500 postgraduate students and over 250 postdoctoral researchers, across all the major academic disciplines. UCC has active postdoctoral associations and programs that aim to provide support for all aspects of a postdoc’s career, including professional development training and everyday work. UCC is the host and partner of leading Irish research centers, including APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre and Tyndall National Institute providing the access to state-of-the-art research expertise and core facilities.  School of Pharmacy was ranked in the top 100 (66th) in the QS World Rankings by Subject in 2022 and is a part of the College of Medicine and Health, a very interactive environment with multidisciplinary academic teams providing plenty of opportunities to network with world-class scientists and clinicians. UCC is an accredited research organisation and as such can form hosting agreements with third country nationals (and non-EEA nationals) for the purpose of conducting research in the University.

Requirements
Skills/Qualifications

• A PhD qualification.
• Appropriate research experience.
• Appropriate technical competence and accomplishment.
• A capability of working within a project team to achieve results.
• Good communication, organisation skills.
• A commitment to gaining practical experience working on a research project.
• Ability to work well within a team.
• Please note that Garda vetting and international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
• The successful candidate will be required to contribute to the APC’s Public Engagement programme, by being involved in science related dissemination activities for the public and schools

Specific Requirements
Key Duties and Responsibilities

This title will apply to newly qualified Post-Doctoral Researchers and will be considered as a period of training as the researcher will have dual goals in terms of the research project and their own career development.  The researcher will be mentored by a Principal Investigator (PI).  It is expected that a researcher would spend not more than 3 years at the Post Doctoral level, subject to the term of the project and would then be eligible to compete for a Senior Post Doctoral post advertised by the University.

The primary focus of the Postdoctoral Researcher will be research however a particular emphasis during this stage should include;

• To conduct a specified programme of research under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator/Project Leader.
• To engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities as required by the Principal Investigator, School or College in order to develop research skills and competencies.
• To gain experience in grant writing.
• To engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which they are engaged, as directed by, with the support of and under the supervision of a Principal Investigator.
• To become familiar with the publication process.
• To acquire generic and transferable skills (including project management, business skills and postgraduate mentoring/supervision).
• To engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of the research group, School or College.
• To interact closely with postgraduate research students who are studying for a Masters or a PhD and possibly have an agreed role in supporting these students in their day to day research in conjunction with an academic supervisor.
• To carry out administrative work to support the programme of research.
• To carry out additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.
• To contribute to costing research grant proposals and assist in the financial management of a research project.

Additional Information
Additional comments

Post Duration: 2 Years

Salary: €42,781 - €49,177p.a. (IUA PD1 Salary Scale)

Project: CIRCLE: Synthetic Circular RNA therapeutics for prevention of sepsis-associated organ failure 

For an information package including further details of the post see https://ore.ucc.ie/ .  

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Piotr Kowalski, PhD, School of Pharmacy, Email: [email protected] . Please include “Postdoc in circRNA therapeutics” in the subject line of your email.

Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (https://ore.ucc.ie/ ). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to [email protected] , quoting the job-title, project name, and Job ID: 074871.

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, 22nd March 2024.

No late applications will be accepted.

UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated.  As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC is committed to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff.  We encourage applicants to consult our policies at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/policies/  and initiatives at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/implementation/  and we welcome applications from everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy. 

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

School of Pharmacy, University College Cork

Country

Ireland

State/Province

Cork

City

Cork

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://my.corehr.com/pls/uccrecruit/erq_search_package.search_form?p_company=5…

Contact

State/Province

Cork

City

Cork

Website

http://www.ucc.ie/en/pharmacy/

Street

Pharmacy Building

STATUS: EXPIRED