Post-Doctoral Researcher/Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher, APC Microbiome Ireland at the University College Cork

3 Years, Fixed-Term, Whole-time Post

Please note that this position can be filled at post-doctoral or senior post-doctoral level, depending on qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

Position Summary

It is widely recognised that the gut microbiota plays an important role in human health and has become one of the most dynamic, complex and exciting areas of research. The Walter Lab is focused on developing nutritional- and microbiome-based therapeutic strategies to improve human health and prevent chronic disease.

Applications are invited for a fully funded Post-Doctoral or Senior Post-Doctoral position to work on the “Microbe Restore” project, a large Science Foundation Ireland program of work investigating novel microbiome-based strategies for the prevention of chronic diseases. Under the direction of Professor Jens Walter and Professor Liam O’Mahony, the successful candidate will be responsible for managing, performing, analysing and presenting research on the role of the gut microbiome in chronic diseases, with a focus on multiple sclerosis and asthma. The successful candidate will manage the preclinical research program, exploring immune-microbiota interactions in mouse models, as well as through human ex vivo assays with human immune cells. The incumbent will be expected to assist with supervision of a team of PhD students and technical staff.

The Team

The Microbe Restore Project is a multidisciplinary, collaborative research effort involving key leaders in microbial ecology (Professor Jens Walter), immunology (Professor Liam O’Mahony), food science (Professor Elke Arendt), nutrition (Dr Alice Lucey) and metabolomics (Professor Susan Joyce).

Professor Jens Walter

Dr. Walter’s expertise lies at the interface of evolutionary ecology of the gut microbiome and human nutrition. More specifically, his research focuses on the evolutionary and ecological processes that have shaped the host-microbiome interrelationship and the translation of basic microbiome science into therapeutic and nutritional strategies. Dr. Walter has published >140 peer-reviewed publications (google scholar H-index 69, >20,500 citations) and is a ‘highly cited researcher’ according to the Web of Science group.

Professor Liam O’Mahony

Professor Liam O’Mahony is a leading immunologist focused on microbiome-immune interactions. In particular, Professor O’Mahony’s research aims to understand the molecular basis of microbe and metabolite modulation of mucosal inflammatory responses. His work spans the spectrum of basic and applied research through clinical and translational research across various chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases such as asthma, allergies and, most recently, in understanding immune signalling following COVID-19 infection.

Both the Microbe Restore Team and the APC Microbiome Ireland prioritise translational research through effective collaborations with major industry partners and the team have a strong track record of attracting industry investment in their research.

The position is fully funded through a Science Foundation Ireland Grant, but the successful candidate would also be encouraged and supported to apply for additional research funding to pursue future research interests.

Required qualifications

• The ideal candidate must have a PhD and strong scientific track record in a relevant discipline (Immunology, Microbiology).
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• Excellent track record in independent research.
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• Experience and proven leadership in team building and the mentoring and the supervision of postgraduate students.
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• Extensive experience with mouse models of immune-mediated diseases, preferentially auto-immune diseases and in a clean-room environment is essential.
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• Proficient in techniques for the analysis of immune responses on a molecular/cell based level, such as flow cytometry, ELISA, western blotting, and qRT-PCR.
  
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• Expertise in ex-vivo analysis of human immune cells would be highly desirable.
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• Expertise in the study of microbe-host immune interactions, and gut microbiota analysis, would be an advantage.
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• The candidate will be self-motivated with the ability to work independently as well as competent to collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team.
  
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• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  
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Applications are invited from both postdoctoral level and senior postdoctoral level candidates. Duties and responsibilities for a postdoctoral level position and senior postdoctoral level position are outlined in the Candidate Information Pack and the appointment will be made in accordance with the experience and qualifications of the successful applicant.

APC Microbiome Ireland was formed in 2003 and since then, it has established itself as one of the leading global centres in gut microbiota research. The Centre has made several landmark discoveries and published over 3000 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, generating many journal covers and associated editorials. The APC is a lively multidisciplinary environment with clinicians, clinician-scientists and basic scientists from diverse backgrounds working in teams, sharing ideas and resources.

Project Title: Microbe Restore

Post Duration: 3 years

Salary: Post-Doctoral Researcher: €39,130 - €46,442 p.a. (IUA Salary Scale), Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher: €47,764 - €50,530 p.a. (IUA Salary Scale)

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

Job ID: 051571.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Victoria McMahon, APC Microbiome Ireland, 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 Thursday, 6 January 2022.

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