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RCSI Hiring for Research Assistant Job at Dublin Full Time
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Department: School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Tenure: Specified purpose contract for up to 1 year
Location: St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Reporting to: Dr Cian O’Leary
Salary: Aligned with IUA Research Assistant Salary Scale (starting at up to Level 1 Point 3, depending on experience)
Proposed Start Date: January 2023
As a University of Medicine and Health Sciences, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) is a degree-awarding health sciences institution specialising in medical and health sciences education, surgical training and research. As a global institution with undergraduate medical programmes in Dublin, Bahrain and Malaysia; Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Physiotherapy, Postgraduate Studies and Nursing and Midwifery; and Leadership Institutes in Ireland and Dubai, RCSI has a broad international reach and the ability to unlock significant advancement for patient safety and clinical outcomes worldwide.
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. Recently, RCSI has implemented a new research strategy that will 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.
Role Overview:
We are seeking an enthusiastic, creative, and driven Research Assistant to join a translational research project that sits at the interface between drug development research and the pharmaceutical biotechnology industry. This project, funded by Enterprise Ireland, seeks to reformulate a portfolio of off-patent drugs into inhaled medicines for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a devastating rare condition with no cure and an average survival of 3-5 years from diagnosis. Our ambition is to develop the leading inhaled antifibrotic therapies for IPF and to ensure that these therapies will reach patients by commercialising and spinning out the technology into a biotech startup.
The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team and work under the direction of Dr O’Leary and the postdoctoral researchers on the team. The project work will entail inhaled pharmaceutical formulation development and characterisation, pharmaceutical analysis, formulation stability testing, in vitro testing of therapeutic safety and efficacy in human cell models, and therapeutic validation with in vivo models of lung fibrosis. Additionally, as a project with a spinout focus, the candidate will have the opportunity to gain experience in commercial and entrepreneurial aspects of biotech, including market analyses, regulatory pathways, health economics, and business strategy. Finally, there will be potential opportunities to join the spinout or Dr O’Leary’s research team as a PhD postgraduate in future.
Specifically, the duties of the post are:
- In vitro and in vivo analysis: Cell culture; animal handling; RT-PCR (including PCR array); protein isolation and quantification (Western Blot, ELISA); histology; immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy.
- Pharmaceutical formulation: Drug solubility studies, nebuliser and dry powder inhaler formulation, particle size analysis, analytical techniques including HPLC, differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffraction.
- Routine work: Data analysis, data presentation, management of lab resources with team, other reporting and desk work as requested by supervisor.
Qualifications:
- Candidates with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical science, chemical/biomedical engineering, or a related field are highly encouraged to apply.
Knowledge & Experience – (Essential):
- A minimum of 3 years’ laboratory experience from practicals, industry laboratory, or other laboratory-related experience. (Not all techniques are essential, and support/training will be provided).
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Attention to detail, thoroughness in work practices, and be able to demonstrate outstanding record keeping.
- Ability to work to deadlines and operate with flexibility in a busy and productive lab.
- General computer competence with a willingness to upskill.
Knowledge & Experience (Desirable):
- Experience of working in a laboratory environment.
- Experience of working in a biotech spinout/startup or pharmaceutical industry.
- LAST-Ireland course completed (or UK equivalent).
- Enthusiasm and interest for biotechnology entrepreneurship and translational research.
Skills & Competencies:
- Communication skills: Proven ability to communicate complex ideas.
- Project management skills: Ability to ensure that project plans are communicated and that all timelines are met.
- Self-starter with the ability to work as part of a team: Ability to operate effectively as part of a team – is cordial, tolerant and willing to help others, is co-operative and patient; shares work and information; establishes rapport, can influence and develop effective networks
- I.T. skills: Knowledge of MS Office suite.
- Conscientious: Have a pro-active approach to work, anticipating and resolving problems in advance; have keen attention to detail – from anticipating and addressing issues in advance to understanding requests and delivering quality work with minimal errors.
- Flexibility: Can operate flexibly within a busy environment; can shift focus when required.
- Customer focus: Have strong customer service skills. Be able to communicate with a high level of initiative, tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality.
- Motivated: Display a ‘can-do’ attitude, be committed to RCSI ORI and its development; demonstrate enthusiasm and passion for the role.
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 no later than 5pm on the closing date with your CV and Covering Letter.
Informal Enquiries can be directed to Dr Cian O’Leary at [email protected].
Please click here to read our Recruitment and Selection Policy for Researchers.
Please Note:
This job description may be subject to change to reflect the evolving requirements of the
Department and RCSI in developing healthcare leaders who make a difference worldwide.
Similar vacancies that arise in the next 6 months may be filled from the pool of applicants that
apply for this position.
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.
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.
If you have any particular requirements for your interview, please notify the Human Resources
Department at your earliest convenience.