Industry Project Research Support Officer  - APC Microbiome Ireland

12 Months, Specific Purpose, Full-Time Post

Position Summary

We are currently recruiting a Research Support Officer to oversee a number of industry-funded research projects in the Microbiota-Brain-Gut Axis Theme (covering topics of Neuroscience, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Systems Biology) with APC Microbiome Ireland.  The successful candidate will be part of a team led by Professor John Cryan and Professor Gerard Clarke in APC Microbiome Ireland, which addresses the communication between the brain and the gut, and how it can be influenced by the gastrointestinal microbiota (see Cryan et al., Physiol Rev 2019; Long-Smith et al., Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2020). 

We aim to assess predicted in silico properties of gut microbes, with in vitro, ex-vivo and in-vivo activities in immune, stress, neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter systems of relevance to gut-brain axis signalling pathways. We also use cell-based assays and investigate the role of candidate microbial strains in gut-brain interactions, physiology and behaviour in animal models. We will further assess changes in immune, stress, neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter systems. 

The program is highly interdisciplinary, utilizing in vitro screening models, behaviour, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and brain circuit determination coupled with metabolomics & microbiome analysis. The successful candidate will be expected to make an outstanding contribution to the preclinical, clinical and translational arms of the laboratory and to lead the successful delivery and objectives of a variety of research projects. 

The candidate should have excellent communication skills, a good command of the English language and be highly motivated to work in a multidisciplinary team. A proven track record of publication in peer reviewed journals is also expected. 

Required Research Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate(s) should have experience with a combination of in silico bioinformatics, in vitro cell-based assays, ex-vivo tissue assays and in-vivo behavioural assays including HPLC, Gut physiology and function, Immune assays, ELISA, PCR and molecular analyses. Previous experience of gut-brain axis research is desirable, and the successful candidate will be expected to support animal behavioural studies and clinical studies. They will be self-motivated with ability to conduct independent research to a very high level. It is expected that the successful candidate will have a PhD and a strong publication record in a relevant scientific discipline (eg. Neuroscience, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Systems Biology,) and should have experience of applying these skills and experience to the study of gut-brain axis interactions. They will be self-motivated with ability to guide and conduct independent research to a very high level.

Research Support Experience:

• Evidence of project management skills.

• Familiarity with Agresso online ordering system or equivalent.

• Evidence of working in multidisciplinary teams.

• Evidence of budget management skills.

• Experience with grant writing and report writing. 

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: Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis - Industry Project Research Support Officer

Post Duration: 12 Months 

We are seeking to recruit a Digital Services Manager (Assistant Librarian Grade I), a newly established post within the Collections and Digital Services team. This role will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Library’s digital services, with a focus on digitisation, digital access, and the sustainable management and preservation of digital collections.

The post holder will manage the Digital Library function, including the supervision and development of the Digitisation team, and will lead on the design, implementation, and refinement of digital workflows and infrastructure. A key component of the role will be to ensure effective collaboration with the Special Collections and Archives unit, in particular with the Special Collections Manager (Assistant Librarian Grade I), to support the digitisation and discovery of the Library’s unique and distinctive collections, and will play a pivotal role in shaping the Library’s digital strategy, aligning operational delivery with institutional priorities in teaching, research, and public engagement.

Reporting to the Head of Collections and Digital Services, the post holder will contribute to the long-term vision for sustainable digital collections at Maynooth University, supporting service innovation, staff development, and strategic partnerships in the digital arena.

Salary Scale:

Assistant Librarian – Grade I (2025):                                   €61,259 – €71,717 p.a. (6 points)

Appointments will be made in accordance with public sector pay provisions.

This position is funded by Enterprise Ireland as part of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) initiative and is available from 1st April 2025 until contract end date of March 31th 2026 (with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability). The successful candidate will primarily manage research tasks in Analytical Chemistry for the DTIF project. They will liaise with other research collaborators within the University of Galway and the industrial partner. The role involves supporting the development of novel drug prototypes through the characterisation and formulation of advanced drug delivery systems for the treatment of osteoarthritis. A deep understanding of polymer chemistry is essential, from techniques used for their characterisation to the study of their behaviour as solids and in solution. Advanced knowledge and skills in drug delivery systems are critical. The candidate will also be involved in in vitro testing and further translational activities.

The successful candidate will be responsible for generating research and innovation impacts for the project, coordinating activities, organising tasks, and managing work packages related to the chemical aspects of the DTIF project. They should possess excellent critical thinking skills and demonstrate the ability to conduct cutting-edge, high-impact research with a high degree of independence. The candidate will also be responsible for writing technical reports and will have experience in the preparation of scientific publications.

The Candidate will be based in the CPRL lab, Discipline of Physiology at the University of Galway, working under the supervision of Prof Leo Quinlan.

Salary: Postdoctoral researcher salary scale €44,346 - €56,764 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on 13th November 2025.  It will not be possible to consider applications received after the closing date.

Please review full job description for further details and essential requirement

This position is funded by Enterprise Ireland as part of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) initiative and is available from 1st April 2025 until contract end date of March 31th 2026 (with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability). The successful candidate will primarily manage research tasks in Polymer Chemistry for the DTIF project. They will liaise with other research collaborators within the University of Galway and the industrial partner. The role involves supporting the development of novel drug prototypes through the characterisation and formulation of advanced drug delivery systems for the treatment of osteoarthritis. A deep understanding of polymer chemistry is essential, from techniques used for their characterisation to the study of their behaviour as solids and in solution. Advanced knowledge and skills in drug delivery systems are critical. The candidate will also be involved in in vitro testing and further translational activities.

The successful candidate will be responsible for generating research and innovation impacts for the project, coordinating activities, organising tasks, and managing work packages related to the chemical aspects of the DTIF project. They should possess excellent critical thinking skills and demonstrate the ability to conduct cutting-edge, high-impact research with a high degree of independence. The candidate will also be responsible for writing technical reports and will have experience in the preparation of scientific publications.

The Candidate will be based in the CPRL lab, Discipline of Physiology at the University of Galway, working under the supervision of Prof Leo Quinlan.

Salary: Postdoctoral researcher salary scale €46,305 - €59,063 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on 13th November 2025.  It will not be possible to consider applications received after the closing date.

*Please review full job description for further details and essential requirement
 

We are seeking a Post-Doctoral pharmaceutical scientist, with expertise in formulating liposomes, nano-emulsions and/or lipid nanoparticles to join our vaccine stabilization team, jointly at the School of Pharmacy and School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, in University College Cork. The scientist will work within a Horizon-Europe-funded consortium, OptiViVax, where they will focus on developing microneedle skin patches to deliver next generation malaria vaccines based on newly identified antigens and newly licensed adjuvants. This project builds on our significant expertise in developing and commercialising novel vaccine delivery platforms, including dissolvable microneedle patches, which is globally recognised. These technologies stabilise vaccines out of cold chain and are easier to administer compared to needle-and-syringe based injection. This project will utilise pharmaceutical methods and principles to enhance the stability of new lipid-based adjuvants to create needle-free, stable, immunogenic P. vivax vaccines. 

The research will involve designing, testing, recording and evaluating methods and compositions of vaccine-based microneedle solid dosage forms, using systematic approaches to understand key interactions within the formulation. Defining and understanding critical process parameters underlying critical quality attributes will be core to identifying leading designs and to developing scalable processes. The researcher will lead on preparing the identified lead vaccine loaded microneedle process for technology transfer to GMP production. They will also be involved in immunogenicity testing of these vaccine dosage forms in vivo in pre-clinical models. 

The ideal candidate:

We are seeking a highly-motivated Researcher in the pharmaceutical sciences, with an ability to work to a high standard and as part of a team. The scientist must have expertise in pharmaceutical preparation and analysis of lipid-based emulsions and/or nanoparticles and/or biologics. The scientist must have excellent communication, planning, team-working, practical, problem solving, record-keeping skills and previously demonstrated skills in an innovation environment. The scientist must have a track record in publishing previous work, hold a primary and/or secondary degree in Pharmacy or related Pharmaceutical Science discipline.  They should have direct experience of working in vaccine or biologic formulation, ideally in development of solid dosage forms. Experience of working in a commercial environment is also desirable. 

The team:

We strive to provide a vibrant research community that values career development, teamwork, scientific excellence, creativity, ambition and discovery to support innovation, within a multi-cultural environment, in a research-based, globally-oriented university, based in the heartland of Ireland’s energy, food, pharmaceutical and information and communications technology industries.  The scientist will be based in the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and in the School of Pharmacy, UCC. The overall multidisciplinary OptiViVax team provides a global network of clinicians, parasitologists, immunologists and vaccine developers who are jointly focused on tackling P. vivax malaria.

Achievement of the expected progression within Post Doc and Senior Post Doc is transferable between the Irish HEI’s.  This can be reflected in the starting pay of a PD researcher.  Similarly, as the PD scheme is an intergenerational training scheme completion of PD1 or PD 2 levels in one HEI will normally render that researcher ineligible for appointment at a similar level in another Irish HEIResearcher Career Development Framework | Irish Universities Association

Project Title: Malaria Vaccine Stabilisation 

We are seeking an excellent academic to join our staff as an Assistant Professor / Lecturer in Politics. We are seeking a candidate who can add to our distinctive profile of research, teaching and public engagement in Politics.

The person appointed will have a proven record of teaching, research and publication, appropriate to career stage. They will be expected to make a strong contribution to the teaching programme of the Department and undertake teaching duties on the Department’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as the supervision of Masters and PhD students, particularly in areas related to political analysis.

The appointee will be expected to build a strong research profile, that supports the University’s research strategy including affiliating to the Research Institutes, where appropriate and working with colleagues on national and international research. The appointee will be expected to sustain and conduct research, engage in scholarship of quality and substance and generate publications of international standard.

Salary Scale:

Assistant Professor / Lecturer:                             €64,753 – €102,539 p.a. (7 points)

Assistant Lecturer:                                             €42,099 –€71,998 p.a. (14 points)

Appointments will be made in accordance with public sector pay provisions.

Applications are invited for a temporary post of a Cancer Research Nurse within UCD School of Medicine. Job reference number: 019047

Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/

The Cancer Research Nurse will support cancer research trials based in St Vincents University Hospital (and other clinical sites as required.)The UCD Clinical Research Centre (UCD CRC) is an academic-led, patient-focused facility for clinical translational research based at both the Mater Misericordiae and St Vincent's University Hospitals. It operates under a single integrated governance structure within the UCD School of Medicine. In addition to supporting a large portfolio of investigator- and industry-led clinical research projects, the UCD CRC is also a leader in the delivery of clinical research training. The UCD CRC is the focal point for engagement with industry (pharmaceutical companies, CRO's, regulatory authorities) and has growing national and international collaborations. Fixed Salary: €52,000 Per AnnumAppointment will be made on scale and in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines Closing date: 12:00 noon (local Irish time) on 14/11/2025Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 12:00 noon (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications.UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.

Director of Cancer Trials Operations - CORK UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL/UCC CANCER CENTRE

Specific Purpose, Whole-Time Appointment

(Anticipated Duration 3 Years)

The Director of Cancer Trials Operations is a key leadership position responsible for advancing cancer research and cancer trials initiatives within the CUH/UCC Cancer Centre. This is critical as the centre works alongside the HRB funded UCC Cancer Trials Group and now with the OECI Cancer Centre designation, with defined clinical trial and research objectives, and ultimately ambitions for an OECI Comprehensive Cancer Centre designation. 

The Director of Cancer Trials Operations will play a major role in advancing this agenda to include the development of a (5) and (10) year business plan for expansion including workforce planning, development and monitoring of Key Performance Indicators including target cancer centre clinical trial accrual, roll out of a robust quality system that aligns with UCC and College of Medicine & Health Strategies, Cancer Research @UCC research framework, CUH/UCC Cancer Centre & HSE Research Strategy and OECI standards. 

The Director of Cancer Trials Operations will provide overall operational management of the unit's comprehensive clinical trials team; supported by and reporting to the governance structures of CUH/UCC Cancer Centre. This includes ensuring that trials are selected for the unit appropriately, the trial start up process is timely and efficient, trial accrual goals are met and that clinical trial activation and conduct adhere to the highest standards. In line with this the Director of Cancer Trials Operations will develop business strategies that support the unit's growth and research excellence. 

The Director of Cancer Trials Operations will facilitate expansion of both industry-led and academic-led cancer clinical trials, building both national and international partnerships. The unit is a key member of the UCC Cancer Trials Group, and as such the successful candidate will also be collaborating with clinical trials teams at the Bons Secours Cork Cancer Centre, and University Hospital Waterford to expand clinical trial opportunities for CUH. Together, these sites collaborate to advance pioneering clinical trials, striving to set the standard for cancer clinical trials nationally. A future goal is further regional expansion with provision of clinical trial opportunities in University Hospital Kerry, and the Director will work with regional experts towards same goal.

A pivotal function of this role is to enable local collaborations for the adoption of best practices and quality improvements with the CUH Research Office, UCC Futures, the Clinical Research Facility at UCC (CRF-UCC), and to engage with national stakeholders in the clinical trials space, such as the National Clinical Trials Organisation (NCTO) and Cancer Trials Ireland.

Project Title: Director of Cancer Trials Operations, Cork University Hospital/UCC Cancer Centre 

Post Duration:  3 Years 

Applications are invited for a 24 months post of a Research Assistant within UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science. Applications are invited for the position of Research Assistant in the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, specifically to support the Transforming Health and Care Systems funded project called Bump2Baby & Me+: A multi-country, European implementation project to reduce adverse birth outcomes, improve maternal and child health and reduce non-communicable disease risk. The Health Research Board is the funding body for Ireland within this European partnership under Horizon Europe and co-funded by the European Commission. 7962 Research Assistant Salary Scale 2017 : €33,291 - €35,413 Appointment on the above range will be dependent upon qualifications and experience. Closing date: 12:00 noon (local Irish time) on 13th November 2025 Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 12:00 noon (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications.UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.

Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/

Applications are invited for a 12 months post of a UCD Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 2 within UCD School of Food and Agriculture Science. Metabolomics is the measurement of small molecules in biological samples and gives information about metabolic processes. Applying Metabolomics to biological samples reveals information about altered pathways. This project will develop metabolomics approaches and optimise for a range of biological samples. Salary: €54,307 Closing date: 12:00 noon (local Irish time) on 13th November 2025. Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 12:00 noon (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications. UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned. The PD2 post is intended for researchers that have completed PD1. As with the PD1, if you have already completed your PD2 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD2, or your total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 6 years, you should not apply and should refer to Research Fellow posts instead.

Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/