As part of this role the researcher will be required to participate in the DCU Research Career Framework. This framework is designed to provide significant professional development opportunities to Researchers and offer the best opportunities in terms of a wider career path.
Background & Role
A postdoctoral position is available with the Cancer Biotherapeutics group/Molecular Therapies for Cancer in Ireland within the National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology at Dublin City University (DCU) to undertake research on the following project: “Biomarkers of response to treatment in HER2+ breast cancer”. This postdoctoral position is funded through a Science Foundation Ireland Strategic Partnership Programme.
Using existing and prospectively collected patient samples, the project will examine potential biomarkers of response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), including neratinib, and HER2-targetting monoclonal antibody therapies (trastuzumab/pertuzumab) in patients with HER2+ breast cancer. The underlying biology of promising biomarker targets will need to be characterised in vitro.
Drug target and apoptosis-related biomarkers of response will be assessed using DNA and RNA extracted from tumour samples for Next Generation Sequencing. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections will be utilised for immunohistochemistry studies. Serum samples will be investigated for circulating apoptosis markers. To investigate novel immune-related biomarkers of response, the phenotype and in vitro antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity of patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), tumour infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) levels and circulating chemokine levels will be assessed.
The ultimate aim of this project is to identify novel potential biomarkers of response to HER2-targeted agents to improve treatment strategies for patients with HER2+ breast cancer.
This project is an academia/industry collaboration. The project will be co-supervised by Dr. Denis Collins, Cancer Biotherapeutics, DCU and Prof. John Crown, St Vincent’s University Hospital/DCU.
Principle Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to his/her Principal Investigator the Postdoctoral Researcher will:
• Conduct a specified programme of research under the supervision and direction of the Principal Investigator.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders including academic and industry
partners/collaborators as appropriate.
• Carry out administrative work associated with the programme as necessary.
• Supervise and assist postgraduate students working in this area with their research
• Document all experimental data, analyses and protocols.
• Report/present regularly at group meetings.
• Attend relevant meetings, seminars, training and conferences.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation relevant to the project.
• Complete a detailed report upon completion of the project.
• Undertake standard laboratory management tasks.
• Monitor and report on project budget expenditure.
• Assist in identifying and developing future research and funding initiatives.
• Undertake other tasks as defined by the project leaders.
Minimum Criteria
The successful candidate will hold a PhD in the area of cancer biology, cancer immunology or a related discipline.
Mandatory experience:
• Maintenance and quality control of a panel of cancer cell lines
• Assessment of the effect of targeted molecules on cell growth, cell cycle progression and cell death mechanisms
• Examination of alterations in cell signalling pathways
• Bioanalytical skills (RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, western blotting, ELISA)
Desirable experience:
• Immunohistochemistry
• In vitro mutagenesis studies
• ADCC/immune cytotoxicity assays
• Blood/tissue processing (e.g. PBMC isolation, DNA/RNA extraction)
• Flow cytometry-based immunophenotyping
Salary: €38,631 SFI Post-doctoral Researcher Level 2A Pt. 1, 3 year contract
Closing date: 21stAugust 2020
This role requires an immediate start date of October 1st 2020.
Candidates will be assessed on the following competencies:
Discipline knowledge and Research skills – Demonstrates knowledge of a research discipline and the ability to conduct a specific programme of research within that discipline
Understanding the Research Environment – Demonstrates an awareness of the research environment (for example funding bodies) and the ability to contribute to grant applications
Communicating Research – Demonstrates the ability to communicate their research with their peers and the wider research community (for example presenting at conferences and publishing research in relevant journals) and the potential to teach and tutor students
Managing & Leadership skills - Demonstrates the potential to manage a research project including the supervision of undergraduate students
Application Procedure
Informal enquiries to:
Dr Denis Collins, NICB, DCU.
E-mail:
[email protected] Phone: +353 (0) 87 7530431
Please do not send applications to this email address, instead apply as described below.
Application Procedure
Application forms are available from the DCU Current Vacancies (open Competitions) website at
http://www.dcu.ie/vacancies/current.shtml and also from the Human Resources Department, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. Tel:+353 (0) 1 7005149.
Applications should be submitted by email to
[email protected] or by Fax: +353 (0)1 7005500 or by post to the Human Resources Department, Dublin City University, Dublin 9.
Dublin City University is an equal opportunities employer