Post-Doctoral Researcher School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology

at  University College Cork

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a post-doctoral formulation scientist to join our team to develop innovative vaccine delivery technologies, based on microneedle patch-based skin delivery. The scientist will work with industrial partners within a Horizon-Europe-funded consortium, OptiViVax, to develop skin patches to deliver next generation malaria vaccines based on newly identified antigens and newly licensed adjuvants. This project builds on our significant expertise in developing and commercialising novel vaccine delivery platforms, including dissolvable microneedle patches, which is globally recognised. These technologies stabilise vaccines out of cold chain and are easier to administer compared to needle-and-syringe based injection. This project will utilise pharmaceutical methods and principles to enhance the stability of new vaccine antigens and adjuvants, provided by our colleagues, to create needle-free, stable, immunogenic P. vivax vaccines. Our EU-funded consortium will build on exciting breakthroughs in malaria research to integrate state-of-the-art advances in parasite immunology, vaccine design and delivery, and innovative pre-clinical and clinical studies. Here in UCC, we focus on finding solutions to current global vaccine accessibility issues by developing stable vaccine delivery technologies.
The ideal candidate:
We are seeking a highly motivated and self-driven scientist in the biopharmaceutical sciences, with an ability to work to a high standard and as part of a team. The scientist should have direct experience of working in vaccine formulation or on complex biologics, ideally in development of solid dosage forms. The scientist must have excellent communication, planning, team-working, practical, problem solving, record-keeping skills and previously demonstrated innovation. The scientist must have a track record in publishing previous work, hold a primary and/or secondary degree in Pharmacy or related Pharmaceutical Science discipline. Experience of working in a commercial environment is desirable.
The team:
We strive to provide a vibrant research community that values career development, teamwork, scientific excellence, creativity, ambition and discovery to support innovation within a multicultural environment, in a research-based, globally-oriented university, based in the heartland of Ireland’s energy, food, pharmaceutical and information and communications technology industries. The scientist will be based in the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and in the School of Pharmacy, UCC. The overall multidisciplinary OptiViVax team provides a global network of clinicians, parasitologists, immunologists and vaccine developers who are jointly focused on tackling P. vivax malaria.
Project Title: Development of easy-to-deploy malaria vaccine
Post Duration: Up to 40 Months (TBC)
Salary: €44,347- €50,805 per annum (IUA PD1 Salary Scale)
For an information package including further details of the post see https://ore.ucc.ie/.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Prof. Anne Moore, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Tel: + 353 (0) 21 4205424; Email: anne.moore@ucc.ie
Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (https://ore.ucc.ie/). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to recruitment@ucc.ie, quoting the job-title and project name.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Tuesday 27th August

PLEASE NOTE THAT AN APPOINTMENT TO POSTS ADVERTISED WILL BE DEPENDENT ON UNIVERSITY APPROVAL, TOGETHER WITH THE TERMS OF THE EMPLOYMENT CONTROL FRAMEWORK FOR THE HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR.

UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated. As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC is committed to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff. We encourage applicants to consult our policies at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/policies/ and initiatives at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/implementation/ and we welcome applications from everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy.

Please refer the Job description for details