Postdoctoral Researcher – Marine Biodiscovery, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway 087-24

22 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Galway

Research Field

Chemistry » Biochemistry

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Ireland

Application Deadline

5 Apr 2024 - 17:00 (Europe/London)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

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

No

Offer Description

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed term position as a Postdoctoral researcher in Marine Biodiscovery at the University of Galway, Ireland.

 

This position is funded by Horizon Europe-COMBO and is available from 1 August 2024 to contract end date of January 2026

 

Despite their well-recognized potential, marine bioactive molecules are still difficult to source due to a lack of controlled culturing and processing infrastructures, and their chemical synthesis is hampered by their chemical complexity. The marine environment is largely affected by global change and wild harvesting of marine bioresources does not represent a sustainable supply of these biomolecules. The main sources of the high-value biomolecules are corals, sponges, algae, involving industrial end-users in the medical and pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic sectors. Therefore, new approaches are urgently needed in marine biotechnology as microbial engineering has not fully met the expectations for producing the marine bioactives identified in invertebrates and seaweeds. Recent advances in the synthetic biology of terrestrial natural products are offering unique opportunities to supply bioactives of terrestrial origin. Omics technologies have also transformed the way the complexity of the marine holobiont can be viewed and today the integration of omics data such as genomics and metabolomics can increase our understanding of the functioning and processes of living organisms including their metabolic pathways. COMBO will allow the transfer of knowledge from terrestrial to marine biotechnology through the engineering of marine metabolic pathways using Omics approaches. The rationale behind COMBO lies in the power of synthetic consortia of host cells and microbial cells based on the concept of holobiont and auxotrophy. To this end, we will exploit the recent advances in co-cultures systems. Indeed, the development of synthetic consortia has been shown to support specific ecological dynamics, promote microbial species growth, and syntheses of valuable chemicals. COMBO will therefore expand the potential offered by underused marine sponges and seaweeds known to produce bioactives such as terpenoids and alkaloids for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical markets.

 

Job Description:

The successful candidate will work on the isolation and structure elucidation of the marine natural products (terpenoids and alkaloids) isolated from the COMBO targeted organisms (seaweeds and sponges). (S)he will also be working on the management of the EU project COMBO, interacting with partners and attending meetings.

 

Duties:

.

• Interacting with partners of the project the ensure the good and timely delivery of the results of the project;
• Tracking the samples supplied and received form the partners of the project through the in-house webdatabase;
• Perform the chemical profiling of extracts/fractions prepared for COMBO samples and perform the isolation and structure elucidation of the metabolites using standard tools in marine natural products chemistry such as HPLC, NMR, MS or ECD.
• Preparing and writing research papers, presentations, grant proposals, etc.;
• Effectively interacting with other members of the Marine Biodiscovery lab;
• Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students;
• Performing routine lab maintenance and daily lab duties.
• Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post

 

Qualifications/Skills required:

 

Essential Requirements:

• PhD in Natural Product Chemistry or equivalent
• Track record of publications in natural product chemistry
• Evidence of skills in the isolation of natural products using HPLC
• Evidence of skills in the structure elucidation of natural products NMR MS and configurations

 

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience in working on marine natural products
• Experience in lab management
• Supervision of UG or PG students
• Computational chemistry for the assessment of the configurations of natural products

 

Salary: Postdoctoral Researcher salary scale €42,782 - €54,965 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.  

 

The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.

 

Research Salary Scales - University of Galway).

 

Start date: Position is available from 01 August 2024

 

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia.  Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment - see HERE  for further information.

 

Further information on research and working at University of Galway is available on Research at University of Galway

 

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

 

Further information about the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences is available at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/science-engineering/schoolofbiologicalandchemicalsciences/ and the marine biodiscovery laboratory at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/our-research/people/biological-chemical-sciences/olivierthomas/

 

Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Professor Olivier Thomas

 

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Prof. Olivier Thomas: [email protected]

 

Please put reference number University of Galway 087-24 in subject line of e-mail application.

 

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm (Irish Time) 5th April 2024

 

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.

 

University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

 

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment

 

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry » Biochemistry

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Galway

Country

Ireland

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

Ireland

City

Galway

Website

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/

Street

University Road

Postal Code

H91 TK33

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED