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 bioprocess engineering with expertise in cell culture, bioprocess modelling and optimization.
The increasing demand for ACTs emphasizes the need to develop standardized and optimal bioprocesses to offer personalized point-of-care solutions. Advances in biologics manufacturing (recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies, hormones, and vaccines) have highlighted the importance of culture media and feeding strategy designs, which currently are primarily empirical requiring expensive, exhaustive and time-consuming experimentation. Whereas culture systems now incorporate sensors and sampling ports to monitor the system in-line, on-line or at-line or offline, personalised ACTs require a higher level of control systems to take into account donor/patient heterogeneity and use this information to provide the optimal personalized environment (nutritional requirements and growth factors) to ensure cell number, viability and functionality of the final product, to comply with regulations (safety, purity, identity, and potency). This project will begin to address these deficiencies.
Position Available
Bioprocess Engineer 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 high-throughput cell cultures to collect precision bioprocess data to capture cellular heterogeneity and population kinetics and metabolic profiles for a variety of cell types employed in cellular therapeutics and develop metabolism-driven bioprocess models that will be used in media design and feeding optimization based on previous work in Prof Mantalaris’ group. 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 the precision cell culture of several cell types used in cellular therapeutics and develop metabolism-driven bioprocess models 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 bioprocess/biochemical/chemical engineering (cell culture and bioprocess modelling) 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 bioprocess engineering of mammalian cells and bioprocess modelling.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience in cell culture analytics and metabolomics.
- 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
