7 Months, Specific Purpose Whole-Time Post Position Summary APC Microbiome Ireland (APC) was formed in **** with funding from Taighde ireann - Research Ireland and key industry partners.
APC represents a seamless collaboration between UCC, Teagasc and MTU.
APC is a trans-disciplinary research centre, with clinicians, clinician-scientists and basic scientists from diverse backgrounds working in teams, sharing ideas and resources.
Over the last two decades, 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 **** research articles in peer-reviewed journals, generating many journal covers and associated editorials.
The APC collaborates with over 20 industry partners and employs 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 discovering new treatments.
We are currently recruiting a research assistant to work under a Horizon Europe project GENEGUT.
This project aims to develop a first-in-class, orally administered RNA-based therapy for ileal Crohn's disease which selectively targets novel nucleic acid-based therapeutic modalities to the diseased site in the small intestine.
GENEGUT will tackle this delivery dilemma by utilising novel biomaterials to formulate RNA nanoparticles (NPs).
The efficacy and mechanisms targeted by the RNA NPs formulations are evaluated in in vitro cell systems (cell lines and primary cells).
The RNA NP formulation will be delivered orally in a device engineered to achieve site-specific intestinal release and accumulation locally in the diseased intestinal tissue.
Pivotal proof-of-efficacy will be demonstrated in a large animal model of intestinal inflammation with a focus on ileocecal inflammation and other identified mechanisms from the cell-systems.
We are looking for a highly motivated research assistant who will join the laboratory of Dr Silvia Melgar, UCC/APC Microbiome Ireland.
The candidate will support the efficacy study work in a large animal model of intestinal inflammation.
We're looking for an enthusiastic researcher with a background in biotechnology, or similar life science degree with skills in ex vivo intestinal explant culture, qPCR, ELISA, histology and immunohistochemistry.
In addition, the candidate will have experience working with large animals with intestinal inflammation including husbandry, maintenance, disease monitoring, oral gavage and injections, etc.
The candidate will support other ongoing activities conducted by 2 PhD students working under the GENEGUT project and other laboratory duties including ordering, inventory etc.
UCC is an accredited research organisation and as such can form hosting agreements with third country nationals (and non-EEA nationals) for the purpose of conducting research in the University.
Project Title: GENEGUT Post Duration: 7 Months Salary: €33,291 - €43,372 p.a. IUA Salary Scale For an information package including further details of the post see Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Silvia Melgar, APC Microbiome Ireland, Email: 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 and project name.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday 5th of December ****.
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.
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