Clinical Research Fellow College of Medicine and Health, Infant Centre

6 Months, fixed-term, whole-time post

Position summary

The INFANT Research Centre was established in 2013 and is dedicated to maternal and child health research. The overarching vision of INFANT is to advance maternal and child health translational research and to place Ireland to the forefront of this field. INFANT is hosted by University College Cork (UCC) and is focused on delivering scientific excellence and impact through a range of activities in academic, translational, and commercial areas. The INFANT team is a diverse group of clinicians and scientists who are supported by selected industry partners, international collaborators and business and regulatory advisors. The Centre is funded by a range of national and international funding agencies, EU, industry, and philanthropy. INFANT has a well-established Clinical Trials Platform which is underpinned by ISO 9001:2015 accredited Quality Management System.

INFANT Research Centre is now accepting applications for a Clinical Research Fellow to work on the Prometeus Project.

Prometeus introduces a new-paradigm for personalized nutrition of prematurely born neonates in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), by developing a groundbreaking technology for real-time adjustment of glucose and nutrients intakes to target neonatal brain needs. Prometeus will develop a metabolic model of the interaction between the three key brain fuels [glucose, lactate and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)] and their effect on regional cerebral blood flow (CBF), oxygen saturation (StO2) and metabolism (CMRO2). The model will serve to individualize brain nutrition targeting “brain health” according to the inputs derived from two novel minimally invasive metabolic sensing systems: a wearable cap measuring regional CBF, StO2 and CMRO2 and a subcutaneous miniaturized metabolic sensor for glucose, lactate and BHB. The system will create a metabolic “womb” to feed the brain of preterm neonates. Prometeus will be paralleled by a parent-dedicated interface, exploiting a purposely developed family adjusted visual language, that will inform parents of preterm babies during their NICU admission and stay. Prometeus will dramatically reduce the risk for prematurity-associated disability in Europe and worldwide, with a consequent incalculable ethical, social and economic impact.

Post Duration: 6 Months

Salary:  : €61,318 - €66,815  (IUA RF Salary Scale)

Project Title: Prometeus

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

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Prof Gene Dempsey  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, 26th January 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.

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.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER