Research Support Officer, APC Microbiome Ireland

1 Year, 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 a Research Support Officer (Industry Project Manager) to oversee a number of industry-funded research projects in the Microbiota-Brain-Gut Axis Theme (covering topics of Neuroscience, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Systems Biology) with APC Microbiome Ireland.  The successful candidate will be part of a team led by Prof. John Cryan and Prof. Gerard Clarke in APC Microbiome Ireland, which addresses the communication between the brain and the gut, and how it can be influenced by the gastrointestinal microbiota (see Cryan et al., Physiol Rev 2019; Long-Smith et al., Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2020).  We aim to assess predicted in silico properties of gut microbes, 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 also use cell-based assays and investigate the role of candidate microbial 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 make an outstanding contribution to the preclinical and translational arm of the laboratory and to lead the successful delivery and objectives of a variety of research projects.  The candidate should have excellent communication skills, a good command of the English language and be highly motivated to work in a multidisciplinary team. A proven track record of publication in peer reviewed journals is also expected.

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.

Required Research Qualifications and 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 including HPLC, Gut physiology and function, Immune assays, ELISA, PCR and molecular analyses. 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 a strong publication record in a relevant scientific discipline (eg. Neuroscience, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Systems Biology,) and should have experience of applying these skills and experience to the study of gut-brain axis interactions. They will be self-motivated with ability to guide and conduct independent research to a very high level.

Project Title: Spoke 3: Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis (Industry Projects)

Post Duration: 12 months

Salary:  €44,000 p.a. (Personal Rate)

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

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Professor Gerard Clarke, Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science and Principal Investigator, APC Microbiome Ireland, Tel: + 353 (0) 21 4901408; 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, 29th 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 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