Research Assistant APC Microbiome Ireland

1.5 Years, Specific Purpose Whole-Time Post

Position Summary

Applications are invited for the position of Research Assistant - Laboratory for smart drug delivery technologies at the School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Ireland. We are looking for an exceptionally enthusiastic, creative, and driven Research Assistant with a passion for interdisciplinary science and a desire to apply their unique talents to high-impact work aimed at improving human health to join the laboratory of Dr. Piotr S. Kowalski at the School of Pharmacy at UCC. Dr. Kowalski’s research spans multiple disciplines and will allow candidates to develop skills in a variety of areas, including RNA engineering, RNA delivery, nanomaterials design, and gene therapy.

This position will support projects focusing on engineering circular RNA-based therapeutics for the treatment of sepsis funded by European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant. This project aim to explore the therapeutic potential of circular RNA molecules to treat and prevent multiple organ failure during sepsis. Successful candidates will work closely with a cross-disciplinary team of PhDs and collaborators comprised of immunologists, vascular biologists, RNA biologists and clinical scientists. Responsibilities will include formulation, characterization and in vivo testing of RNA nanoparticles, polymer synthesis, molecular biology assay development, RNA synthesis and purification using chromatography, high throughput in vitro and in vivo screening of nanocarriers.

Project Title: Engineering circular RNA-based therapeutics for treatment of sepsis-associated organ failure. 

Post Duration:  1.5 Years, Whole-Time Post

Salary: €31,962 - €41,943 p.a. IUA 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 Dr. Piotr Kowalski, School of Pharmacy, Email: piotr.kowalski@ucc.ie (Please include “RA in RNA therapeutics” in the subject line of your email) 

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 Monday 31st March 2025 

No late applications will be accepted.

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. 

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER