진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher

Department: Department of Psychiatry

Reporting to: Professor David Cotter

Location: RCSI Education & Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9

Contract/Duration: Specified Purpose – up to 36 months, full-time

Remuneration: Point 1 - Post Doctorate Researcher (PD1)

Closing Date: Monday, 2nd of June

RCSI is a community of academic, research, clinical and professional staff working collaboratively to lead the world to better health. Here, you will thrive in an innovative and inclusive atmosphere and your personal development and wellbeing will be supported. We invite you to join us to help deliver on our exciting mission “To educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health”. We seek candidates whose experience to date has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to the “Race Equality Action Plan 2025-2029” at RCSI. Our students come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. This makes our university stronger and ensures we hire the best talent.

Innovating for a Healthier Future 2023-2027 is RCSI’s new five-year strategic plan. Through it, RCSI will enhance human health by meeting the health workforce needs of society, creating the insights and inventions that drive health improvements, and working in partnership with patients and the public in support of better health and well-being for all. The strategy unites the RCSI community in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals – with a particular focus on Goal 3, which targets good health and well-being.

For each of the last six years, RCSI has been positioned in the Top 300 of universities worldwide in the Times Higher World University Rankings. We are proud that RCSI ranks fifth in the world for “Good Health and Well-being” in the Times Higher Education #SDG #SDG Impact Rankings 2024. This reflects our commitment to supporting people of all ages to live healthy lives and our work to promote the concepts of well-being and positive health. Our values of Respect, Collaboration, Scholarship and Innovation continue to unite and direct our purpose.

About Our Research

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. RCSI’s research strategy aims to 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.

Summary of Post

This study, called BIOTRIP, and funded by the Health Research Board, will be looking at proteins belonging to the complement and coagulation pathways that were found to be altered in early psychosis. Recently we have uncovered exciting preliminary evidence that elevated levels of certain complement and coagulation proteins are associated with better response to treatment with one antipsychotic drug, amisulpiride, and improved outcomes among young people with first episode of psychosis. These findings were based on analyses from the EU-funded OPTIMISE study. The project will extend these important findings to investigate prediction of response to a range of other antipsychotic medications in five large international cohorts of patients with psychosis. We will use state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based methods to investigate baseline levels and changes in these proteins in relation to treatment response and clinical outcomes. Since there are no current biomarkers of treatment response in routine clinical use, the BIOTRIP-study will advance the field of precision medicine in psychosis with the aim of facilitating earlier and more effective treatments and better outcomes for affected individuals.

The potential candidate should have excellent laboratory skills and experience in protein quantitation methods including ELISA and proteomic methods and experience in the field of psychosis and disease modifying factors such as treatment in First episode psychosis.

Specifically, the duties of the post are:

ㆍManage and conduct in activities associated with the research group project to include preparation and submission of the necessary research ethics applications, project and individual authorisations, delivery of appropriate training, and contribute to experimental design and post study analysis.

ㆍUndertake protein digestion and preparation for mass spectrometry as well as validation methods, such as ELISA

ㆍUndertake statistical and bioinformatics analysis

ㆍReview of study designs and statistical analysis plans as required.

ㆍReview of draft progress reports.

ㆍSupport the preparation of scientific reports and grant review reports as required.

ㆍWriting of peer-review publications and presentations.

ㆍAcademic supervision of students and (technical) research staff, as required.

ㆍOther such duties as may be assigned from time to time.

ㆍComplying with statutory legislation and Department rules and requirements in furtherance of your own and general staff welfare and safety.

ㆍUndergoing programmes of training and development as may be required from time to time.

ㆍRepresenting the best interests of the Department/College at all times.

Qualifications

Essential

ㆍPhD in a relevant field, ideally psychosis, clinical neuroscience/psychiatric disorders

ㆍExcellent biostatistical skills and ideally some experience in machine learning

ㆍThe ideal candidate will have a strong track record in biomarker work in psychosis and have a deep understanding of the complexities of prediction and treatment and treatment response in psychosis

ㆍExperimental experience in wet lab research, e.g. biochemical methods and proteomics.

Desirable qualifications

ㆍStrong research skills and a proven track record in publication of good research in this area.

    º An understanding of the field of early psychosis.

    º An understanding of computational analysis of proteomic data

    º Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills

    º Attention to detail and thoroughness in work practices and an ability to work to deadlines

    º A capacity to work collaboratively as part of a team as well as independently, in a nonstructured environment

    º An ability to win the confidence of stakeholders, researchers and research partner representatives

    º An ability to foster and sustain academic relationships internally and externally

Knowledge & Experience – (Essential):

ㆍProject Management Skills: Ability to ensure that project plans are communicated and that all timelines are met

    º Self-starter with the ability to work as part of a team: Ability to operate effectively as part of a team – shares work and information; establishes rapport, can influence and develop effective networks

    º I.T. skills: Knowledge of MS Office suite.

    º 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.

    º Flexibility: Can operate flexibly within a busy environment; can shift focus when required.

    º Customer Focus: Have strong customer service skills. Be able to communicate with a high level of initiative, tact, diplomacy and confidentiality.

    º 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 through the RCSI careers portal on the closing date with your CV and cover letter.

Informal Enquiries can be directed to drcotter@rcsi.ie. Please note we do not accept CVs directly.

Click here to read our Recruitment and Selection Policy for Researcher.

Employee Benefits

At RCSI, we help care for our people so they can focus on our mission to Educate, nurture and discover for the

benefit of human health. RCSI truly goes above and beyond to support its employees, ensuring they have everything they need to thrive both personally and professionally. Here's a glimpse of the fantastic benefit available:

Health and Wellbeing:

ㆍOur Inspire Programme promotes the importance of taking care of both our general health and mental health. Inspire manages the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offered through SpectrumLife. Past events held by Inspire have included, workshops on mindfulness practices, yoga, nutritional advice, financial advice on mortgages, pensions & health insurance from leading experts, fitness challenges, baking competitions, weight loss programmes, annual flu vaccination campaign and many more.

ㆍYou can also enjoy access to an onsite gym for just €10 per month.

Work –Life Balance:

ㆍMaintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for fostering employee well-being, productivity, and overall satisfaction. At RCSI, we offer flexible working arrangements, study leave, and career breaks. In addition to 20 days of annual leave, employees receive an extra 6.5 days of university privilege days, which occur annually around the Christmas and Easter breaks.

Family Benefits:

ㆍRCSI offers enhanced family leave to our working parents with fully paid Maternity, Adoptive, Paternity and Surrogacy Leave. We also offer the first two weeks of Parents leave fully paid for, as well as the option to take Parental Leave until your child is 18 years old. We provide access to Platform 55, a new Parents Platform to support staff before, during, and after becoming a parent. We also offer flexible working, discounted Giraffe crèche services of up to 20% and a Parents and Carers’ Network.

Financial Security:

ㆍBenefit from automatic enrolment in a pension scheme with Willis Towers Watson with the employer contributions increasing with your length of service, Death in Service of up to 4 times your salary, long-term illness and disability income replacement, and free advice on health, motor, and home insurance.

Discounted Services:

ㆍAvail of discounted GP services, Taxsaver commuter tickets, the BiketoWork scheme, free eye tests at the National Optometry Centre, and discounted parking at St. Stephen's Green/RCSI car park.

Recognition:

ㆍAt RCSI, we value and recognise the contributions of our staff through various awards and events, such as Long Service recognition, the Vice Chancellor Staff Awards, and through Research Day.

Professional Growth:

ㆍRCSI’s Staff Learning and Development is committed to providing colleagues with opportunities and support to help them reach their full potential and thrive at work. Offerings include a comprehensive programme of staff training, management and leadership development, mentoring, coaching and funding support for further study.

Staff Networks:

ㆍAdditionally, we support a range of staff networks, including the Women’s Network, Postdoctoral Staff Network, Parents & Carers’ Network, Project Manager’s Network, LGBTI+ Network, Age Friendly Network etc. These networks help RCSI to foster a sense of community and inclusivity.

Sports and Social Club:

ㆍEngage in a variety of activities such as Yoga, Pilates and a variety of different Fitness classes. Enjoy social evenings, Book Clubs, Summer BBQs and one-off events like the Taste of Dublin, Bloom, Dublin Horse Show and Dublin Zoo. We also have a variety of discount tickets for shows and events through the year.

Note: This job description may be subject to change to reflect the evolving requirements of the Department and RCSI. Similar vacancies that arise in the next 6 months may be filled from the pool of applicants that apply for this position. 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. RCSI is committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across everything we do. This ensures we can all work and learn in an environment defined by dignity and respect. Eligibility to work in Ireland is a requirement of this role, Proof of eligibility documentation will be required at a later date. Under limited and specific circumstances (research/ specialist roles) RCSI may be in a position to seek a hosting agreement and/or work permits. 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