Department: Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine
Reporting to: Dr Eamon Sheehy & Prof Fergal O’Brien
Location: Tissue Engineering Research Group, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2
Contract/Duration Full-time, Specified purpose contract up to 12 months
Remuneration: Salary is according to Research Ireland salary scales and is dependent on experience
Closing Date: 18th of August
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SUMMARY OF POST

This project targets the development of an advanced therapy medical product (ATMP) comprising a 3D-printed gene-activated scaffold for cartilage regeneration. The project aims to reinforce highly porous multi-layered collagen-based scaffolds with 3D-printed polycaprolactone frameworks and to functionalise these reinforced scaffolds with therapeutic genetic cargos in order to ameliorate joint inflammation and promote hyaline cartilage formation. The role is part an RCSI-managed, Research Ireland Accelerating Research to Commercialization (ARC) – Therapeutics Hub project which is co-funded through EU Regional Development funding. Successful candidates will join a multidisciplinary team in Prof Fergal O’Brien’s Tissue Engineering Research Group. The project will involve development of a working prototype of the ATMP and validation through in vitro and in vivo testing while contributing to commercialization activities (e.g. business plan development) and IP applications. Training courses in entrepreneurship will be available through the ARC Hub. The project will combine aspects of additive manufacturing, scaffold fabrication, tissue engineering and gene therapy. We are looking for candidates with experience in tissue engineering, material science, genetics or immunology. Experience in chondrogenic tissue culture, animal handling, 3D-printing or gene therapy is highly desirable.

QUALIFICATIONS – (ESSENTIAL):

• PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Immunology or a related topic (Postdoctoral Researcher)

Knowledge & Experience – (Essential):

• Demonstrate knowledge and expertise within the field (e.g. through publications, patents or research awards)
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the policy, practices and procedures that are relevant to the role. This will include knowledge and understanding of Research Ethics, and may also include broader University, sector, and external sponsor or funder policies.
• Demonstrate the ability to quickly adapt to new techniques and research environments.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Proficiency with basic molecular biology techniques (e.g. rt-qPCR, biochemical assay kits, immunohistochemistry).
• Past research experience in tissue engineering/3D printing/gene-therapy.

Knowledge & Experience – (Desirable):

• Experience in material characterization of scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.
• Knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms of chondrogenesis and inflammation.
• Experience in gene-therapy
• Assessment of chondrogenesis and inflammation using biochemical assays and gene expression analysis.
• Cell/tissue culture experience.
• LAST course qualification in animal handling.
• Familiarity with research commercialization.
• Capacity to innovate and problem solve in research environments.
• Track record of high impact research (e.g. publications, research prizes, IP applications/patents)

• Scaffold fabrication using 3D-printing technologies and lyophilisation.
• Characterization of scaffold properties including mechanical testing and architecture assessment.
• Fabrication and characterization of nanoparticle-complexed genetic cargos (plasmid DNA, RNAi)
• In vitro testing of ATMP biocompatibility (e.g. chondrogenic tissue culture, cytotoxicity assays, rt-qPCR immunohistochemistry).
• In vivo implantation of ATMP and subsequent tissue analysis.
• Undertaking training in relevant entrepreneurship and business development skills via the ARC Hub services.
• Development of Intellectual Property applications and research publications relevant to the project.
• Grant writing and funding acquisition.