POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCHER - DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY
15 Months, Fixed-Term, Whole-time Post
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated Post-Doctoral Researcher with molecular biology and animal handling skills to work on a research project preforming preclinical drug studies for the rare genetic disease, Cystinosis. Specifically, the Post-Doctoral Researcher will investigate whether a new combination therapy is more effective than the current available treatment.
In a secondary objective aimed at providing mechanistic understanding, the candidate will identify drug-drug interactions and study the cellular mechanisms at play in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and kidney organoids. These preclinical studies will provide the justification, and inform the appropriate dosing regimen, for future human clinical trials. The primary focus of the research group is to model genetic diseases using gene editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms at play and to find alternative treatments. Based on previous work in induced pluripotent stem cells and kidney organoids the lab identified a new therapeutic treatment for the rare lysosomal storage disease, cystinosis. They are now conducting preclinical trials in a model of cystinosis which they developed to progress this treatment to the clinic.
The duties involve multi-stage experiments that will be performed using primarily the rat model of cystinosis and iPSC-derived organoids. Research includes, but is not limited to, the optimisation of techniques such as HPLC/MS-MS, immunohistochemistry, histology, fluorescence microscopy, molecular biology techniques such as PCR, RNA extraction and western blotting, animal handling including administration of drugs, blood collection and downstream analysis.
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: Preclinical drug studies in a cell and rodent models of rare kidney disease.
Post Duration: 15 Months
Application Instructions
For an information package including further details of the post see https://ore.ucc.ie/
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr. Jennifer Hollywood, Department of Physiology, Tel: + 353 (0) 21 420 5432 ext. 5432; Email: jhollywood@ucc.ie
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 recruitment@ucc.ie quoting the job-title and project name.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, October 10th, 2025.
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