Post-Doctoral Researcher School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology/SEFS

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