Post-doctoral Research Fellow, School of Medicine, Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

Applications are invited for a temporary post of a UCD Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1 or 2 within School of Medicine (Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, SVUH, UCD).

Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, SVUH, UCD (https://arthritissvuh.com/) are seeking to appoint a Post-Doctoral Fellow (HRB funded) in a dynamic research environment to perform research focused on examining the molecular pathways that govern immune-stromal cell interactions in autoimmune diseases.

Project Summary: Inflammatory arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterised primarily by joint damage and disability, although it may also be associated with vasculitis, lungs and heart disease. Peak age of onset is 35-45years. In the last two decades targeted biotherapeutics against specific cytokines, immune cells or signalling pathways are highly successful in treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) with significantly improved outcomes. Despite this a significant proportion of patients have sub-optimal responses, no response or suffer adverse events limiting the therapeutic impact. Currently we cannot predict who will develop RA, or the optimal time for treatment. Recent research has focussed on 'individuals at-risk' (IAR) of RA, positive for rheumatoid factor and/or anti-citrullinated protein antibodies but who have not developed clinical signs of arthritis, who may provide important clues in understanding the evolution of RA.

Furthermore, recent studies have shown that checkpoint inhibitors which activate immune cells to attack cancer cells, can also result in uncontrolled immune responses leading to check-point inhibitor induced arthritis. Therefore, this project will perform detailed mechanistic studies of synovial tissue and cells from 'IAR', checkpoint-inhibitor 'IAR' and established RA to define (i) immune cell function and (ii) transcriptional and metabolic regulation through the evolution of RA. Importantly this research will be performed in patient bio-samples, underlying the strong translational approach.

Furthermore, Prof. Veale & Fearon have strong collaborations with industry partners where they test pipeline drugs in our ex vivo 2D/3D synovial tissue models, to identify new drug candidates for the treatment of RA at the earliest stages, including potential prevention of disease, therefore successful post-doc will gain experience in academic-industry collaborations.

The overall goal of this project is to identify molecular signatures of the 'on-switch' of inflammation at the earliest stage of disease, and signatures that may predict disease onset. This will enable selection of the correct treatment for specific patients (precision medicine) from the outset based on a sound, scientific rationale, which in turn will impact significantly on patient care, efficiency and cost effectiveness in our healthcare system.

Applications are invited with experience in the areas of cell biology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics or a related discipline. Applicants should have a strong interest in translational research. Key techniques in this project include, primary cell culture, molecular biology, flow cytometry, ELISA/MSD assays,2D/3D cultures. Practical experience in some of these skills would be desirable.

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

• Supervision of UG and PG students
• Engage with other research studies within the group and with collaborators
• Research output report writing.
• Administrative and general lab duties
• Presentation of research outputs

Post Doc Level 1 Salary Range: Salary: 42,033 - 48,427 per annum or Post Doc Level 2 Salary Range: 49,790 - 51,193 per annum

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

Closing date: 17:00hrs (local Irish time) on 10th May 2023.

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.

The PD1 position is intended for early stage researchers, either just after completion of a PhD or for someone entering a new area for the first time. If you have already completed your PD1 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD1, or you are an external applicant whose total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 4 years, you should not apply and should refer to PD2 posts instead.

The PD2 post is intended for researchers that have completed PD1. As with the PD1, if you have already completed your PD2 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD2, or your total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 6 years, you should not apply and should refer to Research Fellow posts instead.

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