Fully Funded PhD Studentship – In vitro skin model (# of pos: 5)

Description:

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a fully funded (fees and stipend), full-time PhD position at the University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. University College Dublin is ranked within the top 1 % of higher education institutions world-wide. The project aims to develop in vitro drug discovery skin models using appropriate human cells (e.g. diabetic, fibrosis). State-of-the-art biofabrication (e.g. bioprinting, electrospinning, decellularisation) and cell culture (e.g. bioreactors, hypoxia chambers) technologies will be utilised. The produced three-dimensional models will be characterised using an array of biochemical, biophysical, biomechanical and biological methods. Various drugs will be screened to assess the efficiency of the model.

Funding Agency:

The project is funded from the European Research Council, Consolidator Grant.

Qualifications / Expertise:

The candidate should have a 1st or 2:1 Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s in biomedical engineering, tissue engineering, cell biology, biology, connective tissue biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or in a related area. The ideal candidate should have experience in as many of the following techniques: scaffold fabrication and characterisation; cell culture; molecular biology; protein and gene analysis; immunohistochemistry; and histology. The candidate should have excellent communication and organisational skills; be highly motivated and passionate about developing new products; and have strong written, oral and interpersonal skills. The candidate should be able to work independently and as a part of team.

Duties:

The successful candidate will be involved in: Scaffold fabrication and characterisation, including cell derived matrices development; Cell acquisition from human tissues; In vitro biophysical, biomechanical, biochemical, biological characterisation of the produced in vitro models; Drug screening; Conference and Meeting attendance and participation; Report and paper writing; Participation to training courses; Undergraduate teaching and/or laboratory demonstrations; Travel to project partners’ institutes; Other duties relevant to the post.

Start Date:

November 2022 or soon after that.

To Apply:

Applicants should submit a cover letter outlining their suitability to the post, a detailed CV, transcripts and the contact details of three referees. The application pack should be emailed to Prof. Dimitrios Zeugolis ([email protected] ). Closing date for receipt of applications is 12:00 on Friday, 28th of October 2022.