APC Research Positions Available

Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre

The Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre is a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) funded Centre for Science Engineering and Technology (CSET). APC scientists and clinicians are investigating mechanisms by which intestinal bacteria influence health and disease and are developing new therapies for lifelong debilitating gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. For further information http://apc.ucc.ie . Positions are currently available in UCC for the following;

CO-ORDINATOR FOR GERM-FREE FACILITY
TECHNICIAN - GERM-FREE FACILITY
PHD STUDENT - ISOLATION OF BACTERIAL GENETIC ELEMENTS WHICH  INTERACT WITH EUKARYOTIC CELLS
RESEARCH ASSISTANT - ROBOTICS/METAGENOMICS

Germ-free Co-ordinator job responsibilities:
Take a leading role in germ free animal projects both at an intellectual and practical level; Successful start-up and continuation of germ free activities within APC/UCC; Management of one research technician who will be based full time within the unit; Liaise with collaborators who wish to use the germ free facility; Manage budget and project timelines for the unit; Costing of germ free research projects; Contribute to the writing and publication of papers and grant proposals; Ensure that all germ free animal research practices conform to the ethical standards and legislation governing the use of animals for research purposes. Training will be provided, where necessary.

Requirements: PhD in a biological science, at least 3 years experience post-PhD and ideally experience in working with small animals.

For more information and to apply please contact Dr. Liam O’Mahony +353 21 4901372; liam.omahony@ucc.ie

Germ-free Technician responsibilities:
Day to day care of germ free animals; Monitoring of disease activity in animal clinical models; Maintaining animal stocks and associated supplies; Ensure that all germ free animal research practices conform to the ethical standards and legislation governing the use of animals for research purposes. Training will be provided, where necessary.

Requirements: BSc in a biological science and ideally 2-3 years experience in working with small animals

For more information and to apply please contact Dr. Liam O’Mahony +353 21 4901372; liam.omahony@ucc.ie

PhD studentship:
The human gastro-intestinal tract harbours a highly diverse microbial eco-system which is estimated to contain >1000 bacterial species and >7000 strains. Functions and metabolic activities of this microbial consortium are implicated in diseases such as colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. In addition, activities of this microbial ecosystem may be linked to important physiological effects in the host such as regulation of fat storage and oxalate homeostasis. More recently, irritable bowel syndrome and autistic spectrum disorders have been hypothesized to involve aspects of the gut microbial community. However the majority of the organisms in the gut are not yet cultured and are thus not available for analysis.In order to address this issue we have constructed a large (250,000 clones, 40kb insert size) metagenomic library of bacterial DNA isolated from the gut microbiota.We have been using this library to screen for functions which are of relevance to the gut ecosystem. This PhD will be concerned with taking this library and further analysing it to identify bacterial genetic elements which show the ability to interact with eukaryotic cells.The assays will involve high through put screening of the library using robotic system, hence the candidate would ideally have a microbiological background and preferentially some cell culturing experience.

For more information and to apply please contact Dr. Julian Marchesi + 353 21 4902820; j.marchesi@ucc.ie

Research assistant in robotics/metagenomics:
A research assistant is required to run the robotics/metagenomics platform technology for the APC.You will not need experience in robotics or metagenomics, but any experience in microbiology and or tissue culture would be considered desirable.Candidates should have a degree in a relevant biological subject.This is initially a 1 year contract

For more information and to apply please contact Dr. Julian Marchesi + 353 21 4902820; j.marchesi@ucc.ie

The closing date for all positions is March 16^th 2007. Please send all applications to apc@ucc.ie

All positions (including PhD position) are available immediately.