Careers at NIBRT

NIBRT at a glance:

• The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) is a global centre of excellence for training and research in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. NIBRT is located in a world class facility in Dublin, Ireland. This facility is purpose built to closely replicate a modern bioprocessing plant with state-of the art equipment and enables NIBRT to offer the highest quality training and research solutions.
•  NIBRT's mission is to support the growth and development of all aspects of the biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland by becoming the global leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing research, education and training. This mission will be achieved by:
• Performing high impact, world class, industry aligned research in all aspects of bioprocessing, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, therapeutic protein and cell and gene therapy characterisation, compliance and regulation.
• Designing, developing and delivering best-in-class education and training solutions across all levels to national and international students and workforces.
• NIBRT actively collaborates with Irish, European and International universities and higher education institutions on research programs funded through the receipt of research awards from both national and European funding agencies.
• NIBRT interacts with numerous industrial clients through its training and research offerings.

For further information check out: www.nibrt.ie

Characterisation and Comparability Laboratory:

• Located within the NIBRT Facility, the Characterisation and Comparability Laboratory (CCL) aims to develop and apply key enabling analytical and bioanalytical technologies to facilitate a better understanding of mammalian cell bioprocessing through complete process and product characterisation.
• The CCL has access to state of the art analytical instrumentation, cell culture and bioprocessing facilities at NIBRT, including high resolution accurate mass LC-MS instruments, ultra-high performance liquid chromatographs and automation capabilities.
• The CCL team consists of a dynamic international mix of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, motivated by research excellence in applied analytical chemistry.
• The CCL collaborates with world leading instrument companies and biopharmaceutical manufacturers to develop impactful solutions to address key challenges in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The CCL is seeking a talented mass spectrometry scientist to join the team to develop innovative MS strategies for the characterisation of complex recombinant proteins.
• This role represents a collaboration with Lonza Biologics based in Slough, United Kingdom. Lonza combines technological innovation with world class manufacturing and process excellence, which together, enables their customers to deliver their discoveries.
• The facility at Slough is Lonza’s development centre of excellence for gene to GMP supply for all molecule types (including complex proteins) as well as product and process validation studies in support of Biological License Applications for their mammalian network. The site supports manufacture for early clinical supply (Phase 1 & 2) as well as niche commercial manufacture.

For further information check out: www.nibrt.ie/research-profile/jonathan-bones/ and https://pharma.lonza.com/about/locations/slough-uk

Job Description:

Role Overview:

The Characterisation and Comparability Laboratory at NIBRT is seeking a talented and innovative mass spectrometry scientist to join the wider team to develop novel solutions for complex recombinant proteins such as bispecific antibodies and antibody Fc conjugates. The position will focus on the characterisation of these complex recombinant proteins using native liquid chromatography methods coupled to high resolution native Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

The appointed researcher will be responsible for designing and performing all hands on experiments, therefore, prior experience with practical mass spectrometry, preferably high resolution Orbitrap instrumentation, is preferable. The appointed researchers will have experience in protein characterisation, native mass spectrometry, top down proteomics or structural biology. A strong understanding of liquid phase separations coupled to mass spectrometry is also preferable, particularly native liquid chromatography methods and electrophoretic separations, especially the development and optimisation of such separation platforms to ensure generation of high quality MS data. The appointed researchers will also have a strong, demonstrated understanding of bioinformatics analysis of mass spectrometry data for intact protein characterisation.

Reporting directly to the Principal Investigator, the successful candidate will become part of the NIBRT based project team, but also will interact with members of Lonza’s Analytical R&D and Analytical Services teams, based in Slough as part of this project. The appointed researchers will therefore also be expected to have excellent communication and team work skills. The appointed researchers will be expected to provide regular updates to internal and external stakeholders using various dissemination tools and ultimately to publish their data in high impact peer-reviewed journals.

The available posts are ideally suited to those with strong backgrounds in mass spectrometry, native mass spectrometry, top down proteomics or structural biology using MS. Candidates must hold a PhD and relevant postdoctoral experience would be advantageous. The positions will be made in accordance with IUA Level 2B or Level 3 research team member salary scales, commensurate with experience.

All roles are available as specific purpose appointments that will run for the duration of the project.

The successful candidate will be based at the NIBRT Facility, located at Foster Avenue, Mount Merrion, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. Some travel for the purposes of technology transfer, interaction with the collaborative company or conference presentation may also be required on occasion. However, any travel will be in accordance with current Government COVID-19 guidelines and associated Institutional policies.

Principal Accountabilities:

The key responsibilities of the job include:

• Conducting a specific programme of research under the leadership of the Principal Investigator;
• Execution of the project research plan;
• Successfully transfer each of the developed methods and technologies to the Analytical R&D and Analytical Services teams, based in Slough.
• Disseminating the outcomes of this research to stakeholders at project meetings, through written reports, presentations and through publication in peer‐reviewed academic journals of international standing;
• Liaising with all project partners’ and relevant industries where necessary;
• Engaging in appropriate training and professional development opportunities as determined by the Principal Investigator;
• Preparing and presenting progress reports and research findings to colleagues for review purposes;
• Participating fully in the wider research and scholarly activities of the Institute 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 line manager;
• Comply with all NIBRT policies and regulations, including those in relation to Research Ethics and Health and Safety.

Person Specification:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the appropriate mix of knowledge, experience, skills, talent and abilities as outlined below:

Knowledge:

• A PhD in mass spectrometry, native mass spectrometry, top down proteomics or structural biology using mass spectrometry from an approved degree awarding institution (essential).
• Knowledge or protein characterisation using mass spectrometry (desirable).
• Knowledge of method development and optimisation of liquid chromatography or electrophoretic separations coupled to mass spectrometry for protein characterisation (desirable).
• Knowledge of bioinformatic strategies for the analysis of intact protein MS data and native MS data (desirable).

Experience:

• Relevant postdoctoral experience using practical mass spectrometry for protein characterisation (desirable).
• Experience of working in multidisciplinary research teams with internal and external stakeholders (desirable).
• Project administration skills (desirable).

Skills, talents and abilities:

• • Commitment to research excellence and safety (essential).
  • Effective report writing, knowledge transfer and communication skills with the ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences (essential).
  • Self-motivated and ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team to an agreed work plan (essential).
  • Collaborative management skills would be an advantage (desirable).

Eligibility to compete:

Citizenship / Permit Requirement:

Eligibility to compete is open to candidates who are citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. The EEA comprises member states of the European Union along with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Other candidates may be eligible to compete subject to their  having  or  obtaining  an  appropriate  work  permit  for  the  nature  and  duration  of  the position.

Terms and conditions of employment:

A full statement of terms and conditions of employment will be given to the successful candidate in accordance with Terms of Employment (Information) Acts 1994 and 2001.

 Tenure:

This is a specific purpose contract that will run for the duration of the project.

Application process:

Application components:

To apply for this position email your CV and covering letter in a single combined PDF document to Dr. Jonathan Bones (jonathan.bones@nibrt.ie) with the position reference code ‘CCLLZRF’ in the subject line and indicating within your application email which position you would like to be considered for.

 Applicants should also include contact details for two referees, one of should be your current or most recent employer. Candidates are advised to ensure the nominated referees are aware of this requirement. The successful candidate will be required to supply official copies of degrees, proof of PPS Number and a Certificate of Tax Free Allowance or P45 Form.

Closing date:

This position will remain open until filled, interested candidates are therefore encouraged to apply early.

Further information:

For further information about this post please contact: jonathan.bones@nibrt.ie

Canvassing will automatically disqualify.

NIBRT is an equal opportunities employer.