(12) Months, Fixed Term, Full-time post. A Research Assistant is sought to work on an industry-funded project within the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences at University College Cork. The project concerns the impact of processing and protein profile of advanced dairy nutritional ingredients on their biological properties and nutritional applications. The focus will be on emulsion-based nutritional formulations, specifically in relation to restructuring the interface of fat droplets and determining the bioactivity of the resulting emulsions/formulations developed above using in vitro cell culture. Relevant physiochemical properties (e.g., emulsification, viscosity, foaming, gelation) of the ingredients will also be established. Working as part of an active research team, the successful candidate will be responsible for planning, co-ordinating, collating data, reporting on and budgeting for the project in question. It is intended to disseminate the results of this project at relevant national/international conferences and symposia, and through publication of research papers on the novel findings. The School of Food and Nutritional Sciences at University College Cork (UCC) has a long-established international reputation as a centre of excellence in Food and Nutritional Research. It has highly experienced and qualified researchers in these areas and has been very productive in co-ordinating and participating in many national and international research projects. The School collaborates with other universities and research institutes both nationally and internationally in publicly funded research and development projects. Project title: The impact of processing and protein profile of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) ingredients on their biological properties and nutritional applications Duration: (12) months, full-time post Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check will form part of the selection process. For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process. Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Professor Alan Kelly, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Tel: + ; Email: For further information on the Department: School of Food and Nutritional Sciences UCC, Food Science, Nutritional Science and Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University College Cork University College Cork is committed to being a fully inclusive global university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core values under our UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028. UCC holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of age, care-giving status, disability, ethnicity, gender and/or gender identity or expression status, nationality, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/creed, and/or sexual orientation. We are committed to supporting all staff through flexible working schemes, family-friendly policies, training and development, and staff networks. We value the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seek to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual in line with equality legislation. We encourage applicants to consult our Dignity and Respect Policy and learn more about our EDI related initiatives. Appointment may be made on the Research Assistant IUA Salary Scale: €33,791 - €43,872 Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy. We encourage you to reach out to us directly should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process. Please note interviews will be conducted either online via Microsoft Teams or in person in the first instance. Candidates may also be required to attend interviews in person if an interview takes place online. Candidates will be notified as appropriate. Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal ( Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to quoting the job-title. Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, May 1st, 2026. No late applications will be accepted. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER 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 To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page. To start the process, click the Apply button below to Login/Register.