Post-Doctoral Researcher, APC Microbiome Ireland

24 Months, Fixed-Term, Whole-time Post

Position Summary

APC Microbiome Ireland (APC) was formed in 2003 with funding from Science Foundation Ireland and in conjunction with key industry partners. It represents a seamless collaboration between UCC, Teagasc, Moorepark and MTU. It is widely recognised that our microbiome (community of bacteria/viruses and fungi that live in and on our bodies) plays an important role in human health and has become one of the most dynamic, complex and exciting areas of research in both food and pharmaceutical arenas. Over the last two decades the APC has established itself as one of the leading global centres in gut microbiota research. The APC has made several landmark discoveries and has published over 3500 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, generating many journal covers and associated editorials. The APC comprises over 300 individuals, from the scientific PI’s (the APC Faculty) funded by the partner Institutions, the management team, and a dedicated group of research scientists, research assistants and postgraduate’s students.

We are currently recruiting for a Post-Doctoral researcher (Microbiology, Systems Biology, Neuroscience, Physiology, Biochemistry or equivalent) in the Brain-Gut Axis Spoke with APC Microbiome Ireland, which addresses the communication between the brain and the gut, and how it can be influenced by the gastrointestinal microbiota. The term ‘psychobiotic’ was coined by Dinan et al. Biol Psychiatry in 2013 as a ‘live organism that, when ingested in adequate amounts, produces a health benefit in patients suffering from psychiatric illness’ In this project, which will be conducted in collaboration with an industry partner, we aim to assess predicted in silico properties of potential psychobiotics, with in vitro,ex-vivo and in-vivo activities in immune, stress, neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter systems of relevance to gut-brain axis signalling pathways. We will also use cell-based assays and investigate the role of candidate psychobiotic strains in gut-brain interactions, physiology and behaviour in animal models. We will further assess changes in immune, stress, neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter systems.  The program is highly interdisciplinary, utilizing in vitro screening models, behaviour, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and brain circuit determination coupled with metabolomics & microbiome analysis.  The successful candidate will be expected to apply microbiology skills to culture bacterial strains and identify psychobiotic properties that can modify gut-brain axis signalling pathways, make an outstanding contribution to the preclinical and translational arm of the laboratory and to work towards successfully meeting the goals and objectives of the project.  The candidate should have excellent communication skills, a good command of the English language and be highly motivated to work in a multidisciplinary team. Salary will be commensurate with experience and subject to Irish Public Sector guidelines.

Qualifications/experience: The ideal candidate(s) should have experience with in silico bioinformatics, in vitro cell-based assays, ex-vivo tissue assays and in-vivo behavioural assays. Also, experience in molecular analysis (DNA, RNA, proteins) as well as centrally expressed G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), neuropeptides and gut hormones within the microbiota-brain-gut axis is desirable. Previous experience of gut-brain axis research is desirable and the successful candidate will be expected to support animal behavioural studies. They will be self-motivated with ability to conduct independent research to a very high level. It is expected that the successful candidate will have a PhD and should have experience of applying microbiological and other skills to the study of gut-brain axis interactions.

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.

Project Title: Psychobiotics and alterations in microbiome-gut-brain axis signalling pathways

Post Duration: 24 months

Salary:  €42,781 - €49,177 (IUA PD1 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 Gerard Clarke, Professor of Neurobehavioral Science,  Dept of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Science,  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, 15th March 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

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