Recruitment

Employment Opportunities & PhD Vacancies Oct 2024

The Centre for BioNano Interactions (CBNI) based in University College Dublin (UCD) has several large scale projects (Science Foundation Ireland funded Bio-inspired particle architecture delivery technologies (Bio-PADT), and Advanced European Research Council Program grant FunctionalNanoTher for which we are about to advertise both postdoctoral and postgraduate positions. Within this international benchmark of excellence, this research will allow the Candidate to gain cutting-edge scientific training and develop highly specialised skills in an ambitious and rapidly growing multidisciplinary field, with strong contributions from molecular biology techniques, RNA research methods and physicochemical approaches. The programs are challenging and require a high level of scientific competence in the defined arenas and commitment to methodological excellence. While the project's positions outline desired backgrounds and skills, since much of the training can be provided within the team, later selection processes will stress conceptual and methodological excellence and commitment to thorough science in the researchers.

All Post Graduate positions are fully funded 4-year PhD positions, with a 22 k tax-free stipend/year [following any Governmental increases in 2025] and university fees covered. Short-term research assistant positions may also be available for candidates to get to know the team and to better define their projects.

Postdoctoral 1 (PD1) positions are intended for early-stage researchers, either just after completion of a PhD or for someone entering a new area for the first time. If you have already completed your PD1 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD1, or you are an external applicant whose total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 4 years, you should apply for the PD2 post instead.

1. Chemistry of complex nanoscale hybrid (synthetic and biologically derived) materials.

(PD1 or 2 and 1 Post graduate (PG))

This purpose of this project is to develop novel nanostructures that interact with light, magnetism and MRI other effects in new ways as a means to use combined imaging tools both in cell and in vivo. Interests include energy up-conversion in nanoparticles, as well as other advanced nanomaterial functions.

For the PD1 or 2 position candidates should ideally have a PhD in relevant disciplines of chemical, physical and biophysical sciences. Skills of interest are experience and high competence in relevant advanced spectroscopies, nanomaterial synthesis, especially of more complex nanomaterial composites and surface modification. Some hands-on experience of imaging in different forms would be an advantage, but priority is given to spectroscopic and synthetic excellence.

For the PhD position candidates should ideally have a degree in Chemistry, Physics or a relevant discipline. Experience of nanoparticle synthesis is an advantage.

2. Microbiology potentially with emphasis on bacterial mechanism and genomics.

(PD1 or 2 and 1 PG)

The purpose of this project is to gain a better understanding of nanoparticle (including synthetic nanomaterial, bacterial extracellular vesicles and other novel nanostructures) interaction with the intestine. However, the background of the ideal candidate need not include those specific skills which can be provided in the training, and preference is given for excellence in Molecular Microbiology.

For the PD1 or 2 position candidates should ideally have a PhD in Microbiology or Molecular Microbiology or relevant discipline with ideally a background in the gut microbiome. Skills of interest are the culturing bacterial strains and the metabolic engineering and genetic modification of bacteria. Desirable experience could include isolation of extracellular vesicles and 16s sequencing, and bioinformatics.

For the PhD position candidates should ideally have a degree in Molecular Microbiology, Biochemistry or a relevant discipline.

3. Molecular and Cell Biology potentially with emphasis on synthetic biology.

(PD1 or 2 and 1 PG)

This project will involve the use of advanced tools to understand the molecular interactions of RNA and protein with nanostructures on a cellular level.

For the PD1 or 2 position candidates should have a PhD ideally in molecular biology, cell biology or a relevant discipline. Skills of interest are genetic engineering of cells, excellence in cell culture, and specific skills such different forms of CRISPR, genomic editing and related technologies. Ideally the candidate should have some experience of high content cellular imaging of different types.

For the PhD position candidates are required to have an undergraduate degree in the areas of molecular biology, biotechnology or cell biology. Experience of tissues culture, and genomics or other related skills are of interest.

4. Advanced Molecular biology of Engineered Biological Nanostructures for RNA Delivery. (PD1 or 2 )

The project will focus on the isolation of RNA-containing biomolecular condensates secreted in vitro by human cells and the investigation of their biophysical ultrastructure via state of the art techniques such as high-throughput, high-accuracy long-read sequencing techniques and shotgun proteomics. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of novel UV crosslinking methods to study RNA-protein interactions potentially related to the condensates.

For the PD1 or 2 position candidates should have a PhD in the areas of molecular biology, biotechnology or biophysical chemistry, and ideally with significant experience in methods of RNA isolation and analysis. Having some research experience in working with ultraslow concentrations of RNA (for example single cell sequencing) and the relevant sequencing methodologies would be an advantage.

4 A. CBNI is currently recruiting a passionate PhD student for a new multidisciplinary project at the interface of molecular biology and biophysics. (PG)

The project will focus on developing an innovative approach to study extracellular nanostructures carrying functional biomolecular coronas. This will integrate advanced techniques based on RNA and proteins to investigate the molecular composition and structure of extracellular nanostructures secreted in vivo following nanoparticle-cell interactions. The goal is to gain deeper insights into the mechanisms driving molecular interactions within these extracellular nanostructures and their broader biological implications. The work proposed by this project is part of Prof. Dawson’s Advanced European Research Council Grant which aims to develop highly efficient functional nanostructures, which can leverage endogenous cell-cell communication mechanisms for targeted delivery. Within this international benchmark of excellence, this research will allow the Candidate to gain cutting-edge scientific training and develop highly specialised skills in an ambitious and rapidly growing multidisciplinary field, with strong contributions from molecular biology techniques, RNA research methods and biophysical approaches. This will include advanced biophysical skills applied to RNA and protein studies of nanoscale biomolecular coronas.

For the PhD position candidates are required to have an undergraduate degree in the areas of molecular biology (or biotechnology) and biophysics (or physical chemistry). Having some research experience would be an advantage.

Interested applicants should apply directly to:

Prof. Kenneth Dawson ((opens in a new window)kenneth.A.Dawson@cbni.ucd.ie), Prof. Yan Yan ((opens in a new window)yan.yan@cbni.ucd.ie) and Dr. Ester Canepa ((opens in a new window)ester.canepa@cbni.ucd.ie) with a cover letter and CV.

Informal enquiries are also very welcome to get more information about the project and position details.
Please contact Dr. Ester Canepa ((opens in a new window)ester.canepa@cbni.ucd.ie, CBNI Senior Researcher) and Dr Rhona Hutchinson ((opens in a new window)rhona.hutchinson@cbni.ucd.ie, CBNI management).

Recruitment and Open Positions

CBNI welcomes staff and researchers that share its commitments to excellence, integrity and responsible development from all sectors of the research and development community worldwide. It has an active hiring program of postgraduates and post-doctoral researchers and is always open to applications from outstanding candidates.

For potential positions please send your CV and Cover letter to admin@cbni.eu and these should be addressed to:

Prof Kenneth A. Dawson,
Centre for BioNano Interactions (CBNI)
School of Chemistry
Science Centre South
University College Dublin
Belfield
Dublin 4

Independent Fellowship Applications

Prospective candidates are encouraged to apply for their own funding opportunities. CBNI has supported a number of successful fellowship applications in the past. If you would like your fellowship application to be considered, please contact admin@cbni.eu

In the links below, application information for several national and international fellowships can be found:

(opens in a new window)Enterprise Ireland Career - FIT postdoctoral fellowships

(opens in a new window)Sir Henry Wellcome postdoctoral fellowships

(opens in a new window)Irish Research Council Enterprise Partnership Scheme

(opens in a new window)Government of Ireland postdoctoral fellowship

(opens in a new window)EMBO postdoctoral fellowships

(opens in a new window)Deutsche Vorschungsgemeinschaft Research Fellowships

(opens in a new window)Marie Curie Individual Fellowships

(opens in a new window)Science Foundation Ireland Industry Fellowship Programme

(opens in a new window)Irish Research Council Enterprise Partnership Scheme (Postgraduate)

(opens in a new window)Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship

UCD China Scholarship Scheme