Vacancy Summary
Prof Sakis Mantalaris has been awarded a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Professor 5-year grant on “Metabolism-driven Precision Biomanufacturing of Cellular Therapeutics”, which involves funding for 4 post-doctoral fellows and 6 PhD students. This position is targeted to a new, enthusiastic, ambitious, and independent postdoctoral researcher, holding an earned Ph.D. and having completed one (or more) year of postdoctoral research (Trinity Level 2A, point 2). The position is ideally suited to candidates with doctoral degrees in bioinformatics with expertise in cell culture, data mining, AI/ML, and data analysis.
Limited data exist describing the impact of metabolic regulation on bioprocess & cell product design and quality assessment (QA)/quality control (QC). Examples include the regulation of naive to primed iPSC state transitions, the switch between stem cell proliferation and differentiation based on metabolic pathway activation, the progression to differentiated phenotypes based on oxygen availability, the identification of molecules, such as cholesterol sulfate driving stem cell differentiation in response to hydrogel cues, and the fine-tuning of the balance between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. The availability of metabolomics data describing the impact of metabolism on all biomanufacturing steps would enable the integration with other omics data (transcriptomics, proteomics, genomics, etc.) to provide novel insights into cellular functions, types and mapping of lineages not previously identified. These data are not currently available and this project will begin to address these deficiencies.
Position Available
Bioinformatics PDRA
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Department
Research
Hiring Manager
Prof. Sakis Mantalaris
Contract Type
5 year fixed term contract
Application Date
ASAP
Interview Dates
TBC
Salary & Benefits
Competitive salary and excellent suite of benefits including pension, private health insurance, income protection scheme, 25 days annual leave plus up to 3 additional company days off, generous training and career development supports, flexible working hours and work from home set up supported.
Role Purpose
The successful applicant for this postdoctoral position will perform collection of metabolism data to capture multilevel variability, construct a metabolism database using AI/ML and targeted experiments, and construct a user-friendly interface for on-demand bioprocess evaluation. The individual also will integrate within the group of Professors Sakis Mantalaris and Nicki Panoskaltsis, work as part of team of post-doctoral fellows, provide in-laboratory support for the Ph.D. students, prepare initial drafts of manuscripts and reports, give regular oral presentations of research progress, present research findings at meetings and conferences, and contribute to the overall management and upkeep of the laboratory. The project has considerable potential for generating intellectual property (IP).
Key Responsibilities
The key responsibilities of the position include:
- Conducting research in establishing a metabolism database of several cell types used in cellular therapeutics under the leadership of the Principal Investigator, and Professor Nicki Panoskaltsis;
- Maintaining detailed and orderly records of the work performed, making them available to the Principal Investigator upon request;
- With the PI, NIBRT Research Office, and Trinity’s Research Development Office, ensuring timely reporting to the research sponsor (Science Foundation Ireland);
- Disseminating the outcomes of this research in poster and/or podium presentations at regional, national, and international meetings and conferences;
- Preparing manuscripts for publication in top-tier journals;
- Participating fully in the wider research and scholarly activities of the group within the remit and restrictions of the appointed position;
- Carrying out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the Principal Investigators;
- Complying with all NIBRT and Trinity College Dublin policies and regulations, including those in relation to Research Ethics and Health and Safety.
Essential Criteria
- An earned PhD in bioinformatics (biology with multi-omics, AI/ML) or a relevant related discipline from an approved degree awarding institution.
- At least one year of relevant postdoctoral research experience.
- Commitment to research excellence and ability to produce research and scholarship with a portfolio of internationally peer reviewed articles and a track record of researching for impact.
- Effective oral and written communication skills: report writing, knowledge transfer and communication skills with the ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences.
- Self-motivated and able to work collaboratively as part of a team and independently to an agreed work plan.
- Experience in bioinformatics, AI/ML tools, data mining and analysis.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience in cell culture, metabolism and muti-omics techniques.
- Experience working in multidisciplinary research teams.
Required Skills & Competencies
- You’re a passionate communicator who is well able to articulate their science using written and verbal English to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- You’re hardworking, you embrace challenges and you’re motivated by the situations and environment that you find yourself in to do excellent research and deliver impactful science.
- You’re curious and ambitious, you have a track record of proposing and performing excellent analytical science which drives you to achieve.
- You have excellent self-awareness, you can adapt and maintain focus and composure when research poses its challenges.
How To Apply?
To apply for this position please forward your CV and cover letter to careers@nibrt.ie
Please include your name and the position which you are applying for in the subject line. Please note that the successful candidate may be required to supply parchments of degrees/qualifications/work permits.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence by contacting careers@nibrt.ie
NIBRT is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Awards and Recognition
