PhD Student (Formulation)

VACANCY SUMMARY

POSITION AVAILABLE

PhD Student

LOCATION

Dublin, Ireland

DEPARTMENT

Formulation & Stability

HIRING MANAGER

Elizabeth Topp

CONTRACT TYPE

Fixed term

SALARY & BENEFITS

Competitive salary and excellent suite of benefits. Benefits include: pension, private health insurance, income protection scheme, 25 days annual leave plus up to 3 additional company days off, generous training and career development supports, flexible working hours and work from home set up supported

APPLICATION DATE

Open for applications

INTERVIEW DATES

As soon as available (position to be filled as soon as possible)

ORGANISATION OVERVIEW

The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (‘NIBRT’) is a global centre of excellence, headquartered in Dublin that provides training and research solutions to the global biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector. NIBRT arose from an innovative collaboration between University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University and the Institute of Technology, Sligo, with core funding by the Government of Ireland through Ireland’s inward investment agency, IDA Ireland. NIBRT’s 6,500 M² facility has 90+ employees currently and houses fully operational pilot plants for biologics manufacturing training to industry and education as well as multiple research laboratories focussed on biopharmaceuticals manufacturing research.

ROLE PURPOSE

Recombinant proteins and other biologics are the fastest growing sector of the pharmaceutical industry, but the chemical and physical instability of these complex molecules can make formulation difficult. One of the most common types of instability for recombinant protein drugs is aggregation, the covalent or non-covalent association of two or more protein molecules. Protein aggregates typically have altered potency relative to their monomeric counterparts (sub- or super-potent) and an increased potential for adverse immune responses in patients. These adverse immune responses can range from the production of anti-drug antibodies (ADA), which inactivate the drug, to life-threatening anaphylaxis. As a result, the biopharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies are committed to eliminate aggregates during manufacturing, shipping, and shelf-storage to ensure that patients receive a safe and efficacious product.

This project will explore covalent modification as a route to inhibiting protein aggregation. Two types of modifications will be considered: (i) irreversible modification and (ii) reversible modification. The latter is an example of a pro-drug strategy, in which the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is chemically modified in a way that is readily reversed on administration in the body. The work will build on the group’s recent successes with phosphate ester prodrugs of fibrillation-prone peptide drugs, extending the approach to larger proteins (see e.g., Fibrillation of human calcitonin and its analogs: Effects of phosphorylation and disulfide reduction. H. Renawala, K. Chandrababu, E. M. Topp. Biophys. J., 120/1: 86-100, 2021). The PhD student will enroll as in the Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering at University College Dublin. He/she will report to the PI/CSO (Elizabeth Topp) and will be assisted by postdoctoral scientists and others in the lab. The project supported by an ITN Doctoral Network through the University of Groningen; secondments to other universities in the network are possible. 

This position is ideally suited to a researcher with a background in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical chemistry, or related field. An understanding of basic biochemistry, particularly protein chemistry, would be highly advantageous. An honours degree (NFQ Level 8) is required.   

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducting doctoral level research under the leadership of the Principal Investigator and/or senior postdoc.
• Maintaining detailed and orderly records of the work performed, making them available to the Principal Investigator and/or senior postdoc upon request.
• Disseminating the outcomes of this research in poster and/or podium presentations at regional, national, and international meetings and conferences.
• With collaborators and co-authors, generating manuscripts for publication in top-tier journals.
• Fulfilling all requirements of the ITN and the host department.
• Participating fully in the wider research and scholarly activities of the group within the remit and restrictions of the appointed position and complying with all policies and regulations, including those in relation to Research Ethics and Health and Safety.

REQUIREMENTS

• A BSc in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical chemistry, or a relevant related discipline from an approved degree awarding institution.
• Commitment to research excellence.
• Effective oral and written communication skills: report writing, knowledge transfer and communication skills with the ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences.
• Self-motivated and able to work collaboratively and as part of a team to an agreed work plan.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• Prior experience in an industrial or academic research laboratory.
• Experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and/or as an analytical chemist, g. quality control laboratories, industry, research.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary research teams.

TERMS

This is an EU funded (Greener RPP) position which is open to candidates who have not  resided, worked, or studied in Ireland for more than 12 months of the last 36 months. It is a requirement that you have not previously completed a PhD.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for this position please forward your CV and cover letter to [email protected]

Please include your name and the position which you are applying for in the subject line. Please note that the successful candidate may be required to supply parchments of degrees/qualifications/work permits. Informal enquiries can be made in confidence by contacting our Project Manager, Therese Keohane at [email protected]