Applications are invited for a temporary post of a UCD Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1 or 2 within UCD School of Medicine

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) currently has no treatment beyond palliative care, therefore a therapy to restore the structural integrity of skin by conferring type VII collagen expression is greatly required. CRISPR has emerged as a new versatile genomic editing technology with huge potential for clinical translation, in particular for RDEB where restoration of type VII collagen would yield significant therapeutic benefit to patients.

Similar to gene therapy, the delivery of CRISPR systems to target tissues or cells in the human body is the biggest challenge for its therapeutic applications. Development of a safe and efficient delivery systems is therefore crucial for the success of CRISPR genomic editing in clinics. Although the potential is huge, overcoming barriers to efficient delivery remains crucial for achieving safe and effective clinical success. Current delivery methods for CRISPR delivery suffer from either safety concerns relating to use of viral vectors or are limited to an ex vivo approach such as through electroporation.

The project purpose seeks to develop and assess a non-invasive strategy to restore type VII collagen expression in RDEB patient cells through the use of CRISPR gene editing delivered using a non-viral polymer vector. In order to achieve this, two animal mouse models for RDEB need to be set up at the animal facility of UCD within this project.

Post Doc Level 1 Salary Range: 42,033 - 48,427 per annum
Post Doc Level 2 Salary Range: 49,790 - 54.153 per annum
Appointment on the above range will be dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 17:00hrs (local Irish time) on 2nd June 2023

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 17:00hrs (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications.

UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.

The PD1 position is intended for early stage researchers, either just after completion of a PhD or for someone entering a new area for the first time. If you have already completed your PD1 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD1, or you are an external applicant whose total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 4 years, you should not apply and should refer to PD2 posts instead.

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The PD2 post is intended for researchers that have completed PD1. As with the PD1, if you have already completed your PD2 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD2, or your total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 6 years, you should not apply and should refer to Research Fellow posts instead.

Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/