爱尔兰国立高威大学博士后职位招聘–生物医学工程、生物医学科学方向

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed term position as a Postdoctoral Researcher with the Mechanobiology and Medical Device Research Group in Biomedical Engineering at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

These positions are funded by Irish Research Council (IRC) and are available to contract end date of 30^th August 2023.

Although much research has been conducted to understand the pathogenesis of metastatic bone disease, it remains that therapies are deficient and once cancer invades bone tissue the condition is untreatable. Thus there is a distinct need to significantly advance our scientific understanding of bone metastasis. The proposed research will address these deficits by (1) providing necessary information regarding the role of mechanical forces on tumour cell invasion, proliferation and survival, but also by (2) establishing how host cell (osteoblasts, osteocytes) mechanobiological responses play a role in tumour invasion. Moreover, this research will provide advanced ex vivo models that mimic the complex multicellular and in vivo mechanical environment, including interactions (via mechanosensitive matrix attachments) between such cells and their surrounding physical environment. Using these models we will establish whether inhibition of mechanobiological responses can attenuate tumour cell- bone cell signalling and the development of osteoblast/osteolytic bone metastases.

This research will be conducted using the equipment, technical expertise, office and research space within the Alice Perry Engineering Building (School of Engineering) and the BioSciences Research Building (BRB) at NUI Galway. The 14,000m² Alice Perry Engineering building houses state-of-the-art Biomedical Engineering facilities including cell culture laboratories, biomechanical testing laboratories, micro-CT scanning, microscopy, research space and computer suites. The BioSciences Research Building incorporates 8,000m² of high-end laboratory space for over 300 researchers from eminent NUI Galway research groups working in the areas of cancer research, regenerative medicine and cell and molecular biology.

Job Description:

The successful candidates will work within a team to develop novel ex-vivo models to study bone disease. These models will be applied for studies of the role of mechanobiology in the aetiology of metastasis and potential therapies. This research will be conducted using the equipment, technical expertise, office and research space within the Alice Perry Engineering Building and the BioSciences Research Building (BRB) at NUI Galway, which house state-of-the-art facilities including cell culture laboratories, biomechanical testing laboratories, micro-CT scanning, microscopy, research space and computer suites.

Duties:

The Postdoctoral Researcher will work within a team to develop advanced ex-vivo multicellular models that recreate in vivo conditions. The Postdoctoral Researcher will be responsible for consolidating the ex-vivo models with a metastasis and validating these against the gold standard. The successful applicants will be required to conduct:

• In vitro and ex-vivo cell culture studies using Bioreactors;
• Biochemical assays and RT-PCR to quantify gene and protein expression;
• Tissue dissection, histology and immunohistochemistry
• Analyse data in an accurate and precise manner;
• Actively participate in international conferences and meetings;
• Publish data in high impact factor journals;

Qualifications/Skills required:

Essential Requirements:

Ideal candidates MUST:

• Hold a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline (Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Science or  a related field)
• Have a proven track record in a research environment
• Possess excellent communication and organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proven independent initiative and ability to work in a collaborative environment
• Be highly motivated and passionate about advancing biomedical engineering research

It is ESSENTIAL that applicants have experience in the below techniques:

• Experience of biomaterial-based approaches for tissue regeneration
• Experience of Epifluorescent and Confocal microscopy
• Experience of cell biology techniques (e.g. tissue histology, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry)
• Experience of Tissue processing and histology

Desirable Requirements:

As well as the above essential skills, it is DESIRABLE that applicants have expertise in as many of the following areas as possible:

• Experience of molecular biology techniques (e.g. western blotting, RT-PCR)
• Experience of using bioreactors and parallel plate flow chambers
• Biomechanical testing and micro-CT scanning

Salary: €39,523 – €45,609 per annum pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts (public sector pay policy rules pertaining to new entrants will apply).

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

Researchers at NUI Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans.  

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

Further information about {school/centre} is available at www.mechanobiology.ie

Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Professor Laoise McNamara

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 Laoise.McNamara@nuigalway.ie

Please put reference number NUIG-RES 230-22 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm on the 22^nd of September 2022

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.

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

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

‘NUI Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia.  Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment – see www.nuigalway.ie/rdc for further information.’