PhD Scholarship in Biochemistry at University College Cork

The University College Cork offers an exciting opportunity to a talented candidate to work with researchers in the School of Pharmacy, UCC, and as part of the SSPC on research investigating the processing and formulation of biologicals using novel techniques to ensure safe and productive medicines.

This PhD Scholarship‘s objective in Biochemistry is to assist talented students who want to undertake a PhD degree at the University College Cork for the academic year 2021/2022.

Summary

Project Description

Biological-based therapeutics have a transformative impact on patients’ lives, and they are of increasing interest for their potential to address unmet clinical needs. However, biologicals are complex medicines. Due to the unique and inherent stability challenges, their formulation, manufacture, and handling must be well understood and meticulously controlled on a case-by-case basis. The project aims to investigate the impact of novel processing techniques on the stability and functionality of oligonucleotides to expand the repertoire of methods available to process biological formulations safely and effectively.

The School of Pharmacy is part of the College of Medicine and Health (UCC). The purpose-built School of Pharmacy was officially opened in 2006 and boasts state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities for students and staff alike. As a PhD student in the School of Pharmacy and through involvement with the SSPC, this project offers the successful candidate learning and networking opportunities to attain the highest standards of research excellence to support their career development.

The SSPC is the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals. It is a world-leading hub of Irish research expertise developing innovative technologies to address key challenges facing the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is March 05, 2021

Key duties and responsibilities

• To conduct a specified programme of research under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator.
• To engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities as required by the Principal Investigator (PI)/ Department to develop research skills and competencies.
• Interact with Research assistants and other cognate staff as required to advance the research.
• To engage in disseminating the results of the research (oral and written) in which you are employed, as directed by, with the support of and under the supervision of a Principal Investigator.
• To work with project partners and other collaborators in achieving the research goals.
• To contribute and produce high-quality peer-reviewed publications.
• To present research outcomes at project meetings and relevant conferences.
• To engage in the more comprehensive research and scholarly activities of the research group, School or College.
• To carry out the demonstration in practical labs to undergraduate pharmacy students.

Eligibility Criteria

• The candidate must be available to start their research in UCC on or before May 01^.
• Candidates applying for this studentship must have at least a 2H1 undergraduate degree and/or an MSc degree in Pharmacy (preferable) or a cognate discipline (Biochemistry, Bioengineering).
• Research experience in the fields of protein characterisation, formulation design, material science and drug delivery.
• Undergraduate experience in laboratory practice and in conducting laboratory experiments
• Highly motivated individual with a keen interest in pharmaceutics research
• Have excellent analytical, organisational, communication (oral and written) skills and an ability to innovate.
• An ability to work independently to a tight schedule.
• An ability to work effectively as part of a team to achieve results.
• Fluency in English and excellent communication skills
• The candidate will be a registered student in UCC, initially for an MSc, and can progress, pending a thesis committee’s successful review.
• If English is not your first language, you will need to satisfy the English language requirement http://www.ucc.ie/calendar/postgraduate/General/info013.html.

Award Information

• An annual stipend of €18,000
• PhD fees (EU) to the successful candidate who meets residency requirements in Ireland or the EU for up to 4-years
• Funding to attend both national and international conferences

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply by email to Dr Katie Ryan, [email protected]  School of Pharmacy, College Road, University College Cork, Ireland. Applications must include “Pharmaceutics PhD Studentship” in the subject line. 

Applications (as a single PDF) must include:

1. A short cover letter (max 1-page) detailing the candidate’s interest in research and reasons for applying for this position.
2. Full CV (including the name and contact details of 2 referees)
3. 1-page abstract outlining relevant research experience to date
4. If the successful applicant’s first language is not English, they will have to provide English language proficiency (IELTS or equivalent scores where required) to complete their initial application.
5. The successful candidate will then submit a formal application through the University Postgraduate Applications system (Apply to Postgraduate Study at UCC), where qualifications will need to be validated.

Apply Now