Applications are invited for a Temporary 3 year post of a UCD Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1 or 2 within UCD School of Computer Science

The Ryan group at University College Dublin are recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to work on network approaches to target genetic alterations in cancer. This position will be funded through an Science Foundation Ireland award to understand and predict synthetic lethal interactions in cancer.

Project Description: Synthetic lethality, where one gene becomes essential in the presence of a mutation in another, has emerged as a promising approach by which we might identify new therapeutic targets for a variety of cancer associated mutations. Advances in genetic screening technologies, most notably CRISPR gene-editing, have enabled large-scale efforts to identify new synthetic lethal targets in cancer. However, testing all human gene pairs for synthetic lethality in even a single cell line is well beyond the field's current capacity. Furthermore, it has become clear that synthetic lethal interactions are highly context-specific: a combination of genetic perturbations that is lethal in one cell type or genetic background may be well tolerated in another. The nature of this context-specificity and the factors that influence it are almost entirely unknown. However, such knowledge is critical both for identifying new synthetic lethal therapies and for anticipating resistance to such therapies.

The overall goal of this project is to understand what factors contribute to the context-specificity of synthetic lethality in cancer and to develop machine learning models capable of predicting context-specific synthetic lethality. Relevant recent papers from our lab include Lord et al, eLife (2020) and De Kegel et al, Cell Systems (2021).

This is a research focused role, where you will conduct a specified programme of research supported by research training and development under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator. The primary purpose of the role is to further develop your research skills and competences, including the processes of publication in peer-reviewed academic publications, the development of funding proposals, the mentorship of graduate students along with the opportunity to develop your skills in research led teaching.

Lab Description The Ryan group develop and apply computational approaches to understand how genetic variation in cancer alters molecular interaction networks and to identify vulnerabilities associated with these network alterations. We are affiliated with the UCD School of Computer Science, Systems Biology Ireland, and the Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research. The lab is located in the Conway Institute, an interdisciplinary research centre exploring mechanisms of health and disease towards the development of preventative strategies and novel diagnostic & therapeutic solutions.

In addition to the Principal Duties and Responsibilities listed below, the successful candidate will also carry out the following duties specific to this project: 

• Collaborating with other researchers both in UCD and Externally

PD 1: Salary scale: €39,522 - €45,610 per annum

PD2: Salary Scale: €46,906 - €51,035 per annum

Appointment on the above range will be dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 17:00hrs (local Irish time) on 8th August 2022

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 17:00hrs (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications.

UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.

Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/