Position Summary

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the position of a full-time 2 year fixed-term position as a Postdoctoral Researcher with Dr. Fiona Freeman’s team in Biomedical Engineering at UCD (https://www.ucd.ie/freemanlab/).

Osteosarcoma is an aggressive bone cancer that affects children and adolescents, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 20% for resistant forms. The interaction between cancer and the immune system has long been recognised as a critical aspect of chemoresistance. The successful candidate will carry out research on developing and in vitro testing of a conjugated STING-agonist nanoparticle as a potential add-on to chemotherapy for the treatment of chemoresistance. The project requires in-depth knowledge related to immunology and nanoparticle design, as well as in vitro assessments of nanoparticle-mediated therapies. This project is funded by the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Frontiers for the Future project, and the position is available from September 2024 with flexibility on the start date.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to join a dynamic and motivated team investigating the use of innovative engineering techniques to better understand and develop novel therapeutics for treating osteosarcoma, a paediatric bone cancer. The lab's research interests include biomaterial design, 3D printing, developing in vitro and in vivo disease models, nanoparticle design, organ-on-a-chip, and immunoengineering. This position is related to the aim of developing a new nanoparticle-mediated immunotherapy to attack the tumour. It outlines an entirely new concept to treat this debilitating disease. The candidate will be responsible for nanoparticle development, characterisation, and 2D and 3Dinvitrotesting of the therapeutic.

This is a research focused role, where you will conduct a specified programme of research supported by research training and development under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator. The applicant will work closely with our collaborators in Children’s Health Ireland.

The primary purpose of the role is to further develop your research skills and competences, including the processes of publication in peer-reviewed academic publications, the development of funding proposals, the mentorship of graduate students along with the opportunity to develop your skills in research led teaching.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a specified programme of research and scholarship under the supervision and direction of your Principal Investigator.
• Engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities as required by your Principal Investigator, your School or Institute, or the University.
• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which you are engaged as directed by and with the support of and under the supervision of your Principal Investigator.
• Engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of your research group, School and Institute.
• Mentor and assist, as appropriate and as directed, the research graduate students in your group, School and Institute.
• Carry out administrative work associated with your programme of research.

Salary: PD1 €44,347 - €50,805 per annum

Appointment on the above range will be dependent on qualifications and experience.

Details on eligibility to compete and pension information is available athttps://www.ucd.ie/hr/resourcing/eligibilitytocompete/

UCD welcomes applications from everyone. We are committed to creating an environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone is afforded equality of opportunity. Learn more about Diversity athttps://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/diversity/

Selection Criteria

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory

• PhD in Biomedical Science, Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, Immunology, Regenerative Medicine, Pharmacy, Medicine, or Veterinary Medicine.
• A demonstrated commitment to research and publications
• An understanding of the operational requirements for a successful research project
• Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals, and ability to outline a research project.
• Excellent Communication Skills (Oral, Written, Presentation etc).
• Excellent Organisational and Administrative skills including a proven ability to work to deadlines.
• Candidates must demonstrate an awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.

The PD1 position is 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 not apply and should refer to PD2 posts instead.

Desirable

Previous Experience in:

• Biophysical characterization of nanoparticles
• Western Blotting
• Histology
• Confocal imaging
• Pre-clinical models
• Cell line and Primary Cell Culture
• Immune cell culture
• Primary Cell Isolation
• Flow cytometry
• RT-qPCR
• Organoid Culture
• Nanoparticle Synthesis
• HPLC-SEC
• Setting own research agenda
• Mentoring students
• Outreach Activities

UCD offers a comprehensiveResearch Careers Frameworkin line with the Advisory Science Council Report ‘Towards a Framework for Researcher Careers’. This model provides a structured and supportive Career and Skills Development system designed to ensure that Post-docs in UCD are able to plan their careers and prepare for future opportunities in academia, industry or the public sector. For more information, pleaseclick here.

About the Project

Bone, a vital tissue with remarkable self-regenerative capabilities, faces challenges in repairing large-scale defects, often leading to permanent loss and non-union fractures. While tissue engineering holds promise, its translation to clinical applications is hindered by inadequate understanding of biomaterial-immune system interactions. The complex orchestration of various cell types, particularly macrophages, underscores bone fracture healing. Macrophages transition from pro-inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes, crucial for effective regeneration. Dysregulation in this transition impairs inflammation resolution, hampering bone repair.

This proposal aims to develop a bone regenerative implant which exploits ultrasound-triggered hydrogels to modulate M1-M2 polarisation, thus enhancing bone regeneration. Specific aims include developing a novel hydrogel for on-demand cytokine release, investigating spatiotemporal effects of M1-M2 polarisation post-injury, and assessing BMP-2 mRNA nanoparticles for osteoblast differentiation. The project integrates interdisciplinary approaches to elucidate immune-regenerative dynamics and optimise hydrogel-based therapies for critically sized bone defects.

By deciphering the nuanced interplay between biomaterials, immune responses, and bone regeneration, this research offers insights crucial for advancing tissue engineering strategies towards effective clinical translation, potentially revolutionising the management of large bone defects and fracture non-unions.

Curam PhD Studentships: A four-year PhD studentship award includes full tuition, a PhD stipend of €30,901 per annum (tax free) for participants not eligible for a family allowance or of €37,725 for those eligible for a family allowance and a research budget to cover research costs associated with the project. Students will be enrolled onto UCD’s structured PhD programme which includes some taught elements and transferrable skills training providing an excellent foundation for a research career. (www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/researchstudenthub/researchprogrammes/).

Application Process: MedDevDoc is open to candidates who have a 1st class or a 2:1 honours first degree and have/are due to obtain a Master's in Biomaterials, Biomedical Engineering, Tissue Engineering, Cell Biology, Biology, Biochemistry, or related disciplines. From different genders and nationalities. They must not hold a doctoral degree. Medical Doctors are invited to apply if they can demonstrate an understanding of the clinical or life sciences research process. All applicants for whom their first language is not English must present an English language qualification taken within two years before the application (Suggested English language qualifications include IELTS, Cambridge C1 Advanced, Cambridge C2 Advanced, TOEFL iBT/TOEFL iBT Home Edition, Pearson PTE and Duolingo). Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Ireland for more than 12 months in the last 3 years prior to the call deadline. For more information please see https://curamdevices.ie/curam/research/meddevdoc/application---selection-process/

About the research team: Dr Fiona Freeman is an Ad Astra Fellow, a Conway Fellow, a funded investigator in the SFI Research Centre in Curam and Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research, and a PI within UCD Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Trinity Centre for Bioengineering. Dr. Freeman leads a multidisciplinary research group investigating the use of innovative biomedical engineering techniques to better understand and develop novel therapeutics to treat damaged or diseased bone. For more information, please see www.ucd.ie/freemanlab/.

About MedDevDoc: MedDevDoc is the successor Industry-Academia Training, Career Development and Mobility Studentship Programme at CÚRAM, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research in Medical Devices to MedDevDoc 101126640 (Dec 2023 to Nov 2028). The MedDevDoc Programme aims to train biomedical doctoral candidates in multidisciplinary, intersectoral, and transferable skills for next-generation medical device development. Education shall be based at one of ten CÚRAM academic organisations: University of Galway (GALWAY), University College Dublin (UCD), The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University of Limerick (UL), Dublin City University (DCU), Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), University College Cork (UCC), National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) and Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin). Also, CÚRAM’s industry partners (Associated Partners) will supervise and train students during intersectoral secondments. About Curam: CÚRAM, the Centre for Research in Medical Devices, is a national, SFIfunded, €68.4m research centre based out of the University of Galway. CÚRAM's prime objective is to radically improve health outcomes for patients by developing innovative implantable ‘smart’ medical devices to treat primary unmet medical needs. CÚRAM industry partners include Irish companies and multinationals in the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors. CÚRAM’s vision is to be a global leader in creating and translating clinic-ready and patient-focused medical devices, develop the next generation of industry relevant, publicly engaged researchers, and become an anchor for industry-applicable research.

About Marie Skłodowksa-Curie Fellowships: The MedDevDoc program is part of the Marie Skłodowksa-Curie Actions (MSCA), a European Commission funding program under Horizon Europe. Named after the double Nobel prize-winning Polish-French scientist Marie Skłodowksa-Curie, MSCA offer excellent and innovative research training, attractive career development, and knowledge-exchange opportunities across borders and sectors, e.g., academia and industry, Marie Skłodowksa-Curie Fellowships are internationally recognised as a mark of research excellence. For further information and to apply please email Dr Freeman (she/her) at (opens in a new window)fiona.freeman@ucd.ie.

Call is open until 18th of August 2024.