Postdoctoral Research Fellow Position CÚRAM, SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, National University of Ireland

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time, fixed-term contract as Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the CÚRAM SFI Centre for Research in Medical Devices (National University of Ireland, Galway.  The position is available from March 2022 to March 2025, subject to an initial one-year probationary period. This position is funded by a grant from a leading pharmaceutical company.

Organisation:  CÚRAM is a national, SFI-funded research centre that brings together researchers from NUI Galway, University College Dublin, Dublin City University, University of Limerick, University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, and Royal College of Surgeons Ireland. The prime objective for CÚRAM is to radically improve health outcomes for patients by developing innovative implantable ‘smart’ medical devices to treat major medical needs. Implants will be designed and manufactured to respond to the body’s environment and deliver therapeutic agents, such as drugs, exactly where needed. Cutting-edge science will develop devices using the latest research from biomaterials, stem cells and drug delivery and the support of solid clinical collaborations, industry partners and hospital groups to enable rapid translation to the clinic.

Recently, a team of researchers from CURAM developed a new biomaterial to alleviate  Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).  The new biphasic material is based on a composition of hydrogel and microparticles. This therapeutic system has been successfully tested in vitro on cell cultures and translational IBD murine models. The candidate will be based in Prof. Egan’s group.

Job Description: This is a  three-year fellowship for eligible experienced researchers in functional biomaterials and medical devices for IBD treatment. To apply, candidates are required to develop a project proposal to develop a novel functionalised biomaterial-based treatment of IBD  with commercial applicability.

The ideal candidate should hold a PhD in Materials & Science Engineering or any Biomedical Sciences and have a strong background in advanced biomaterials, drug delivery and inflammatory bowel disease.  The candidate will be expected to have performed original scientific research in the above domain area. Candidates should have excellent communication and organizational skills, be highly motivated and passionate about designing the next generation of ‘smart’ medical devices, and have strong documentation, oral and interpersonal skills. The position requires communication with the different partners of the consortium, and thus excellent communication skills are mandatory. The position also requires the submission of grant applications to various funding bodies.

Essential Requirements:

•             PhD in Materials & Science Engineering or Biomedical Sciences

•             Experience in particle fabrication methodology

•             Experience in drug delivery system development

•             Expertise in IBD-related in vitro cultures

•             Demonstrable experience in both independent and collaborative research activities

•             Excellent publications record in high impact factor journals

•             Excellent verbal and written communication skills (English language)

•             Evidence of scientific publication and dissemination of results at conferences

•             Evidence of developing laboratory-based assays

Desirable Requirements:

•             Minimum two first-author publications in a relevant high impact journal or commercial outputs (IDF, Patents, etc.).

•             Experience in working in a team

•             Experience in hands-on assays in Tissue Engineering/ Biomaterials/in vitro cultures/histology/molecular biology

•             Evidence of innovative thinking, able to work both independently and in cross-disciplinary teams

•             Appropriate supervisory or teaching experience may be an advantage

•             Evidence of submission of funding applications

Salary: €39,131 – €50,531

Start date: March 2022

Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available on Research at NUI Galway

For information on moving to Ireland, please see www. euraxess.ie

For information about CÚRAM http://www.nuigalway.ie/curam

For informal inquiries about this post, please contact Professor Laurence Egan: Laurence.egan@nuigalway.ie

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Tara Cosgrave (curam@nuigalway.ie).

Please put reference number NUIG RES 050-22 in the subject line of the e-mail application.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm on Monday 7^th March 2022

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency-based recruitment.

National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer.