Funded PhD Position: Understanding how Endocannabinoid signalling regulates immune function
PI: (opens in a new window)Dr Colm Collins
Applications are invited from ambitious and enthusiastic individuals to join the group of (opens in a new window)Dr. Colm Collins at the Conway Institute, University College Dublin. Our lab is focused on the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)IBD is a growing chronic intestinal inflammatory condition for which there is no cure. Current therapies are effective for only a subset of patients and often lose efficacy, highlighting the urgent need for new treatments. Our lab endeavours to harness endogenous anti-inflammatory pathways to attenuate intestinal disease. We are seeking a PhD candidate to join a highly ambitious project focused on developing novel peptide-based approaches to tune endocannabinoid tone and attenuate intestinal disease. While acute models of IBD have identified anti-inflammatory properties of endocannabinoid signalling, chronic cannabis use is associated with a five-fold increase in surgical risk for IBD patients, suggesting that manipulating endocannabinoid receptor signalling may offer therapeutic potential.
Your profile:
- BSc or MSc in biomolecular or biomedical sciences, First Honours,
- Experimental experience in molecular cell biology, biochemistry or genetics using in vitro systems (e.g. molecular cloning techniques, RNA isolation, flow cytometry); basic knowledge of immunology is of great advantage
- Optimistic self-starter with determination to drive your own project, being pro-active and highly cooperative within a team
- Excellent communication and organisation skills, with ability to manage multiple tasks independently and foster close collaborations among your peers
- Highly motivated academic and creative achiever, a quick learner, and extremely enthusiastic about science and discovery beyond own project scope
- EU (or EEA, UK or Swiss) citizens only
The position is available from September 2024 - funded by the School for Biomolecular and Biomedical Sciences with following conditions:
- EU tuition fee + €22,000 tax-free stipend per annum over four years.
- Each student will be enrolled in a structured PhD programme, associated with SBBS.
- Each student is required to demonstrate in appropriate laboratory practicals as part of their funded scholarship. Demonstrating hours and lab practicals are detailed and assigned by the SBBS Demonstrating Committee (maximum hours: 288 per annum). Students will be remunerated at standard UCD demonstrating rates.
- (For more information: https://www.ucd.
ie/sbbs/study/ )researchprogrammes/
Please email your motivation letter, CV (including final grades/transcripts) and contact details of two referees to: (opens in a new window)Colm.Collins@ucd.ie
Closing date: Friday 16th August 2024