Job Title: Postdoctoral researcher
Department: Department of Surgery
Reporting to: Professor Leonie Young
Location: RCSI, St Stephens Green, Dublin 2
Contract/Duration: 3 Years
Remuneration: €43,371
Closing Date: 28.06.2024
RCSI is a community of academic, research, clinical and professional staff working collaboratively to lead the world to better health. Here, you will thrive in an innovative and inclusive atmosphere and your personal development and wellbeing will be supported. We invite you to join us to help deliver on our exciting mission “To educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health”. We seek candidates whose experience to date has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to the “Race Equality Action Plan 2021-2024” at RCSI. Our students come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. This makes our university stronger and ensures we hire the best talent.
About Our Research
RCSI recognises that excellence in research is critical to the quality of its educational activities, its credibility, and, overall, to its mission to enhance human health. RCSI's research strategy aims to build upon its strength in translational biomedical and clinical research to deliver transformational, high impact changes in health care. Targeting both Irish national and EU funding, along with increased collaboration with industry, is a major part of the RCSI research strategy. Forging increased collaboration between RCSI PIs and industry is of critical importance to achieving success in this area. RCSI is also committed to provide its researchers with the supports and developmental opportunities to enable them to continuously grow and support their overall career development.
Summary of Post
Breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) are a frequent and aggressive form of metastatic spread with limited treatment options. The successful candidate will join Prof Leonie Young and her team to identify the molecular mechanisms controlling the evolution of metastasis in breast cancer and define key regulators of metastatic spread.
The project is funded by an Interreg Atlantic Area award. The objective of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of breast cancer brain metastasis using advanced patient model systems. The research will involve identifying potential drivers and novel therapeutic targets in breast cancer models. The project will generate 3D cell culture systems in conjunction with novel hydrogels from marine organisms. These patient models will be used to perform drug screens and determine therapy response in breast cancer. Techniques employed will include a wide range of molecular biology methods including cell and organoid culture, transcriptomics, protein and sequencing analysis.
The research project will be conducted in a highly collaborative environment. The successful candidate will be expected to design and carry out experimental plans, lead study execution, analyse experimental data, prepare manuscripts and mentor a PhD student. The candidate will also be expected to support other ongoing research projects in the lab.
Specifically, the duties of the post are:
Qualifications – (Essential):
Knowledge & Experience – ( Essential):
We are all too aware that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap can sometimes stop fantastic candidates putting themselves forward, so please do submit an application — we'd love to hear from you.
Application Process
Please apply online through the RCSI careers portal on the closing date with your CV and cover letter.
Informal Enquiries can be directed to [email protected]. Please note we do not accept CVs directly.
Employee Benefits
RCSI make sure you have the resources you need to thrive by offering a wide range of benefits in areas including time away, finance, community, health, and well-being and insuring your financial future. Below are some additional benefits available to you as an RCSI employee: