Postdoctoral Researcher
Adverse Immune Signatures and their Prevention in Corneal Transplantation (VISICORT)
Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine,
Ref. No. NUIG-118-15
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed-term position as a
Postdoctoral Researcher with the Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine at the National
University of Ireland, Galway. This position is funded by a new European Community Collaborative Project,
VISICORT, under call FP7-Health-2013.1.3-2: Innovative approaches to address adverse immune
reactions to biomedical devices, implants and transplant tissues, and is available from 1st December 2015
for 2.5 years.
Information on project and research centre
VISICORT is an EU-based multidisciplinary project which will create a new level of understanding of
adverse immune responses to tissue transplants by extensively studying corneal transplantation and will
apply this knowledge to improve clinical outcomes. By integrating the research activities of leading
academic and industrial partners, VISICORT will generate novel diagnostic and prognostic tests for
adverse immune responses in transplant recipients and develop an innovative strategy for preventing
adverse immune response to corneal transplants by administration of immunomodulatory stromal stem
cells.
The Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) was established in 2004 and is recognized as the leading
stem cell research institute in Ireland. Over 150 researchers work to translate basic research findings to
clinical applications specifically in the areas of orthopaedics, vascular biology and transplantation. REMEDI
has state-of-the-art research infrastructure including bio-resource, imaging, histology, flow cytometry,
molecular biology, gene vector and cell culture core facilities which are coordinated by a team of
experienced technical support staff.
Job Description: The successful candidate will perform pre-clinical experiments involving the growth and
injection of immunomodulatory mesenchymal stem cell populations in allo-transplanted animals and carry
out the subsequent monitoring and tissue-based characterisation of immunological responses and immune
cell populations by a range of techniques.
Qualifications: Applicants should hold a Ph.D., or in prospect (eg. thesis submitted) in a relevant
discipline. Applicant with equivalent expertise (minimum four years) will also be considered. Essential
requirements include strong experience in corneal transplant immunology and mesenchymal stem cell
biology. Candidates should also have strong experience in animal handling (LAST-or UK/EU equivalent
certificate essential) and have excellent communication and organizational skills and be highly motivated
and passionate about translational research. Other desirable characteristics include scientific
knowledge/research experience in flow cytometry and qRT-PCR.
Salary: €37,750 per annum
Start date: Position is available 1st December 2015
Further information on research at NUI Galway is available on Research at NUI Galway
For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie
Further information about REMEDI is available at http://www.nuigalway.ie/remedi/.
Informal enquiries may be made to Dr. Thomas Ritter thomas.ritter@nuigalway.ie or to the project
coordinator Prof. Matthew Griffin matthew.griffin@nuigalway.ie
To Apply: Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be
sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Dr. Thomas Ritter thomas.ritter@nuigalway.ie
Please put reference number NUIG-118 in subject line of e-mail application.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm on Friday 9th October 2015
National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer