Postdoctoral Researcher
Adverse Immune Signatures and their Prevention in Corneal Transplantation
(VISICORT)
Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine,
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Ref. No. NUIG-34-14
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 for an initial 12 month period from 1st May 2014 with an opportunity to extend to a
maximum of 3 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 (rat cornea
transplantation) involving injection of immunomodulatory cell populations 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 M.D. degree in a relevant discipline. Essential
requirements include strong experience in performing rodent (micro) surgical techniques (ideally
corneal transplantation) and prior experience with basic laboratory techniques in cellular and
molecular biology. Candidates should also have a strong publication record of relevance to the
project, have excellent communication and organizational skills and be highly motivated and
passionate about translational research. Other desirable characteristics include scientific
knowledge/research experience related to stem cell biology, immunology or systems biology.
Salary: €37,750 per annum
(public sector pay policy rules pertaining to new entrants will apply)
Start date: Position is available 1st May 2014
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-34-14 in subject line of e-mail application.
The successful candidate will be required to apply for Gárda vetting clearance
Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm on Wednesday 30th April 2014
National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer