Research Support Officer – Clinical (Research Nurse), APC Microbiome Ireland

0.5 FTE, 18 Months Years, Fixed-Term, Part-time Post

Position Summary

The APC Microbiome Institute (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 decade, 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 3000 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 students. The APC has significant interest in intestinal inflammatory diseases, understanding its pathogenesis and discover new treatments.

We are currently recruiting a Research Nurse with clinical psychiatry and/or psychology experience to support the team in the microbiome-brain-gut axis spoke led by Prof. John F. Cryan, with APC Microbiome Ireland, which addresses the communication between the brain and the gut, and how it can be influenced by the gastrointestinal microbiome. The research nurse will be working in a PI research team led by Dr. Harriet Schellekens (Anatomy & Neuroscience), Prof Ger Clarke (Psychiatry) and Dr. Karen O’Connor (Clinical Psychiatrist) on a project A probiotic strategy for antipsychotic-induced metabolic dysfunction.

In collaboration with the project lead and clinical and research fellows, the research nurse will manage study set-up, data collection/management, patient recruitment, adherence to all SOPs, and check the accuracy of outcome measures. The research nurse will oversee the studies recruitment and so will manage informed consent, discuss the study goals/sample collection with patients and prepare ethical study documentation for submission/approval, ensure appropriate follow-up with patients and record any adverse events. They will collect basic demographic and clinical data, organise follow-up clinic visits, liaise with clinical research fellows regarding biomaterials collection, storage and transport, and implement GCP throughout. The follow-up visits will coincide with planned clinical visits and candidate will maintain close communication with their responsible clinician.

Essential Qualifications/Experience:

•       Qualified Nurse (Mandatory RGN and/or BSc), Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

•       Proficient in Phlebotomy

•       Psychiatry or related experience would be a strong advantage. 

•       Significant clinical responsibilities.

•       Engage cross-functionally with different stakeholders, knowledge sharing, and building relationships.

•       This role requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, computer literacy, strong organization and effective time management skills.

•       The candidate will manage the collection, data entry and maintenance of study records at UCC and external sites.

Post Duration: 18 Months

Salary: €51,937, pro rata 0.5FTE (Clinical Nurse Manager 1 Scale B, Point 1) 

Project:  A probiotic strategy for antipsychotic-induced metabolic dysfunction

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

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Harriet Schellekens, Lecturer Dept of Anatomy & Neuroscience, Email:[email protected], and Prof Gerard Clarke, Dept of Psychiatry, Email: [email protected].

Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (https://ore.ucc.ie/). 

Please include names and contact details of three referees. 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 9th February 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