Research Assistant

Job Title: Research Assistant School: School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences Reporting to: Dr Stephanie Annett and Prof Tracy Robson Location: York House, York St. St Stephen's Green Dublin 2 Ireland Contract/Duration: Full time, specified purpose until October 2025 Remuneration: IUA Salary Scale for Research Assistant (Dependent on experience) Closing Date: Monday 30th September 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.
Innovating for a Healthier Future 2023-2027 is RCSI's new five-year strategic plan.
Through it, RCSI will enhance human health by meeting the health workforce needs of society, creating the insights and inventions that drive health improvements, and working in partnership with patients and the public in support of better health and well-being for all.
The strategy unites the RCSI community in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals - with a particular focus on Goal 3, which targets good health and well-being.
For each of the last six years, RCSI has been positioned in the Top 300 of universities worldwide in the Times Higher World University Rankings.
We are proud that RCSI ranks fifth in the world for "Good Health and Well-being" in the Times Higher Education #SDG #SDG Impact Rankings 2024.
This reflects our commitment to supporting people of all ages to live healthy lives and our work to promote the concepts of well-being and positive health.
Our values of Respect, Collaboration, Scholarship and Innovation continue to unite and direct our purpose.
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.
About the project The obesity pandemic has far-reaching health, economic and societal consequences.
More than 400 million individuals are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) worldwide and therapeutic agents that correct the underlying pathologies of diabetes such as insulin resistance and obesity remain attractive to bring disease reversal and decrease comorbidities.
We have discovered a novel role for the protein FKBPL in adiposity and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and proof of concept data demonstrates that therapeutic delivery of FKBPL improves T2D and promotes weight loss in mice.
Recent rapid advances in biotechnology and molecular medicine have enabled the production of almost any functional protein/peptide in the human body by introducing nucleic acids, such as mRNA, as a therapeutic agent.
The overall objective is to utilize FKBPL mRNA as a new modality for the treatment of obesity and its co morbidities.
The main work packages involve characterization of the mRNA FKBPL formulation in vitro and evaluate efficacy in diet induced obesity models in vivo.
An additional work package will evaluate a companion diagnostic to pre-select patients who are most likely to response to FKBPL based therapeutics.
The researchers will be mainly based within Dr Annett and Prof Robson's Labs at RCSI with occasional travel to collaborating labs.
Specifically, the duties of the post are: Develop and evaluate novel biotherapeutics using in vitro and in vivo diet-induced obesity models Carry out research in the cell and molecular biology area.
Key techniques will involve, tissue culture, transfection and molecular biology techniques (RNA and protein analysis).
Cell imaging including confocal microscopy and flow cytometry as well as significant in vivo work; the applicants will ideally have a personal/individual animal license.
Present regular progress reports to members of the research group or to external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.
Attend training and networking events associated with innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialisation Liaise and present regular progress report to commercialisation lead and Enterprise Ireland to evaluate experimental plan based upon feedback Prepare, in consultation with supervisors, material for publication in national and international journals and presentations at international conferences.
Carry out routine administrative tasks associated with the research project/s to ensure those project/s are completed on time and within budget.
These might include organisation of project meetings and documentation, financial control, risk assessment of research activities.
Carry out undergraduate supervision, demonstrating or lecturing duties within the post holder's area of expertise and under the direct guidance of a member of academic staff.
Qualifications A BSc or Master's degree in relevant discipline Knowledge & Experience - (Essential): Visa requirements to work in the Republic of Ireland Recent relevant experience in cell and molecular biological techniques relevant to obesity and metabolic syndrome, bio-therapeutics, molecular biology, Enthusiastic contribute to outreach programmes Demonstrable intellectual ability and self-starter attitude Ability to assess and organise resources Independent and pro active Interest in translational science and entrepreneurship Knowledge & Experience - (Desirable): Tissue culture experience Sufficient breadth and depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.
In vivo experience, especially diet induced obesity models Experience of nucleic acid based therapeutics 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 before the closing date with your CV and cover letter.
Informal Enquiries can be directed to Dr Stephanie Annett () Please note we do not accept CVs by email.
Click here to read our Recruitment and Selection Policy for Researcher.
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: Minimum of 20 days annual leave, plus an additional 6.5 Privilege days Flexible/hybrid working options for colleagues across many roles Additional leave options incl.
paid maternity leave, paternity/parental leave, study leave 7% Employer pension contribution Onsite gym €10 per/mth incl.
classes and PT sessions Childcare support 20% discount at Giraffe Free eye test and annual flu vaccination TaxSaver commuter tickets and Bike to Work schemes A site sustainability team focusing on the environmental initiatives; Green Campus Initiative ' Competitively priced café and restaurant Equality, Diversity & Inclusion forums, and network groups Employee assistance programme with Spectrum Life Learning and Development training programmes incl.
LinkedIn Learning for career progression Discounted services incl.
GP visits, 10% off dental, staff parking, mobile tariffs, Group Scheme discount on numerous brands Sports and social club incl.
yoga, Pilates, fitness classes, Zumba, running club, social evenings, Summer BBQ Ticket Draws for events including; Rugby, Taste of Dublin, Dublin Horse Show, theatre, music & comedy events Note: This job description may be subject to change to reflect the evolving requirements of the Department and RCSI.
Similar vacancies that arise in the next 6 months may be filled from the pool of applicants that apply for this position.
RCSI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or race.
RCSI is committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across everything we do.
This ensures we can all work and learn in an environment defined by dignity and respect.
Eligibility to work in Ireland is a requirement of this role, Proof of eligibility documentation will be required at a later date.
Under limited and specific circumstances (research/ specialist roles) RCSI may be in a position to seek a hosting agreement and/or work permits.
Employees are required to undertake 6 months service in their current role before applying for other internal opportunities, unless agreed in advance by the SMT representative