Research Assistant-Technical x2, Department of Physiology / School of Microbiology

6 Months, Fixed-Term, Whole-time Posts

Position Summary

The Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Gene Editing Group

Applications are invited for a position of Research Assistant-Technical within the Department of Physiology and the School of Microbiology.

For more than a decade, the Scallan-Harrison group have led an enthusiastic team of researchers in the development of gene editing strategies to correct CF-causing mutations. Following the team’s breakthrough study using ZFNs (Lee 2012; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23514673), the group adopted CRISPR editing in 2013 and have subsequently applied a variety of different strategies including homology-directed repair (Hollywood 2016; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27557525; Santos 2021; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34103250) and targeted excision of deep intronic mutations (Sanz 2017; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28863137). More recent projects have focused on base editing and HITI (Mention 2023; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37649273/) and most recently a number of prime editing approaches (Scholefield 2021; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34031549). The group currently comprises two full time post-docs and two PhD students, a research assistant and a lab manager who are supported by grants from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), the CF Trust (UK) and CF Foundation (USA). The group has extensive collaborations with CF research groups in the UK, across the EU and the USA. We are now recruiting two additional research assistants to support the development of engineered Virus Like Particles for gene editing delivery, and whole exon genome editing repair strategies (https://www.healthnews.ie/rare-diseases/gene-editing-innovations-targeting-multiple-variants-for-rare-diseases/).

Project Details

These two posts advertised here are funded by the CF Foundation (USA) under the Path to a Cure initiative. These projects are funded for 18 months in total; these posts are available for 6 months in the first instance, with the option to renew on an annual basis. The overall goal is to address barriers to delivery and editing for CF.

Project 1 (Post 1). A major focus of the Harrison laboratory is to develop editing strategies amenable to clinical development. No single strategy has yet emerged as an optimal candidate to edit the CFTR gene and restore functional ion channel activity, and move forward for clinical development. The group are currently evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of several different gene editing strategies. One research assistant will work in supporting the functional evaluation of these editing projects.

Project 2 (Post 2). The Scallan laboratory is based in the School of Microbiology within the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science at UCC. We use engineered virus-like particles (eVLPs) to encapsulate and deliver editing tools to cells. One Research Assistant will focus on analysis of the composition of concentrated eVLP preparations and factors that affect transduction efficiency and editing efficacy.

Dynamic collaboration exists across the two laboratories and there will be opportunities for synergy between these two Research Assistant posts, and with international collaborators in the US, UK and across several labs in Europe.

The Candidates

The ideal candidates will have a minimum of a BSc and ideally an MSc in a life science or related discipline, with previous research lab experience in at least two of the following techniques: protein extraction, SDS-PAGE, Western blots, recombinant DNA technology, PCR and DNA sequence analysis, ultracentrifugation, mammalian cell culture and/or expertise in mRNA production, purification, and transfection. Further training can be given. The applicants will work alongside each other and will support the researchers in the lab on the CF gene editing projects and/or virus-like particle mediated delivery***. ***Previous experience of CF or other inherited genetic disorders, or of virology is desirable but not essential. Candidates who apply will be considered for both posts. Should you wish to be considered for one specific role only, please specify this in your cover letter.

Project Title: Addressing barriers to delivery and editing for CF

Post Duration: 6 months

Salary: €31,150 - €41,033 (IUA Research Assistant Salary Scale)

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

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr. Martina Scallan, School of Microbiology, Tel: + 353 (0) 21 490 3221; Email: [email protected] or Prof. Patrick Harrison, Department of Physiology, Tel: + 353 (0) 21 490 1405; Email: [email protected]

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 and project name.

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, 24th May 2024.

No late applications will be accepted.

Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER