Posted 05 June, 2026
Research Assistant School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences and Environmental Research Institute
University College Cork
Cork, Cork, Ireland
Full Time
Reference: 647586528
Research Assistant School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences and Environmental Research Institute
24 Months, Fixed Term, part-time post
A 24-month part-time (50%) Research Assistant position is available on a project funded by Research Ireland to investigate perennial ryegrass and white clover responses to different abiotic stresses (high temperature and drought) using specific seasonal conditions. The research project will involve plant phenotyping, transcriptomics, proteomics and modelling to identify and functionally characterise perennial ryegrass and white clover molecular regulators mediating growth responses in a future climate. The project aims and objectives include: 1) to phenotype perennial ryegrass and white clover above- and below-ground growth responses under regular cold and warm seasons, high temperatures or drought; 2) to identify molecular regulators (coding and non-coding transcripts, proteins) modulating these responses; 3) to assess their biological function in providing abiotic stress resilience; and 4) to test their ability to act as stress biomarkers in the field.
The Research Assistant will need to have a degree in Biology, Plant Biology or Plant Science. The RA will perform basic laboratory protocols (preparing solutions, media, autoclaving materials, ordering of consumables) and provide any assistance to the Postdoctoral fellow and the PhD student. He/she will also be responsible for monitoring and updating the ResilientCrop website and collecting plant material from Moorepark with the help of either postdoctoral fellow or the PhD student.
Project title: Mining for climate resilience in Irish forage crops (ResilientCrop)
Duration: 24 months, part-time post
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check will form part of the selection process.
For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see https://ore.ucc.ie/ The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Rossana Henriques, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Tel: + 353 (0) 4904561; Email: [email protected]
For further information on the Department: School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) | University College Cork
University College Cork is committed to being a fully inclusive global university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core values under our UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028. UCC holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of age, care-giving status, disability, ethnicity, gender and/or gender identity or expression status, nationality, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/creed, and/or sexual orientation. We are committed to supporting all staff through flexible working schemes, family-friendly policies, training and development, and staff networks. We value the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seek to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual in line with equality legislation. We encourage applicants to consult our Dignity and Respect Policy and learn more about our EDI related initiatives .
Appointment may be made on the Research Assistant IUA Salary Scale: €33,791 - €43,872
Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.
We encourage you to reach out to us directly should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process.
Please note interviews will be conducted either online via Microsoft Teams or in person in the first instance. Candidates may also be required to attend interviews in person if an interview takes place online. Candidates will be notified as appropriate
Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal https://ore.ucc.ie/ Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to [email protected] quoting the job-title.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, 12th June, 2026.
No late applications will be accepted.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector
Contact Person : Rossana Henriques
Contact Email : [email protected]
Job ID : 096773
Contact Number :
Close Date : 12-Jun-2026 12:00
24 Months, Fixed Term, part-time post
A 24-month part-time (50%) Research Assistant position is available on a project funded by Research Ireland to investigate perennial ryegrass and white clover responses to different abiotic stresses (high temperature and drought) using specific seasonal conditions. The research project will involve plant phenotyping, transcriptomics, proteomics and modelling to identify and functionally characterise perennial ryegrass and white clover molecular regulators mediating growth responses in a future climate. The project aims and objectives include: 1) to phenotype perennial ryegrass and white clover above- and below-ground growth responses under regular cold and warm seasons, high temperatures or drought; 2) to identify molecular regulators (coding and non-coding transcripts, proteins) modulating these responses; 3) to assess their biological function in providing abiotic stress resilience; and 4) to test their ability to act as stress biomarkers in the field.
The Research Assistant will need to have a degree in Biology, Plant Biology or Plant Science. The RA will perform basic laboratory protocols (preparing solutions, media, autoclaving materials, ordering of consumables) and provide any assistance to the Postdoctoral fellow and the PhD student. He/she will also be responsible for monitoring and updating the ResilientCrop website and collecting plant material from Moorepark with the help of either postdoctoral fellow or the PhD student.
Project title: Mining for climate resilience in Irish forage crops (ResilientCrop)
Duration: 24 months, part-time post
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check will form part of the selection process.
For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see https://ore.ucc.ie/ The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Rossana Henriques, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Tel: + 353 (0) 4904561; Email: [email protected]
For further information on the Department: School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) | University College Cork
University College Cork is committed to being a fully inclusive global university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core values under our UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028. UCC holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of age, care-giving status, disability, ethnicity, gender and/or gender identity or expression status, nationality, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/creed, and/or sexual orientation. We are committed to supporting all staff through flexible working schemes, family-friendly policies, training and development, and staff networks. We value the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seek to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual in line with equality legislation. We encourage applicants to consult our Dignity and Respect Policy and learn more about our EDI related initiatives .
Appointment may be made on the Research Assistant IUA Salary Scale: €33,791 - €43,872
Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.
We encourage you to reach out to us directly should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process.
Please note interviews will be conducted either online via Microsoft Teams or in person in the first instance. Candidates may also be required to attend interviews in person if an interview takes place online. Candidates will be notified as appropriate
Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal https://ore.ucc.ie/ Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to [email protected] quoting the job-title.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, 12th June, 2026.
No late applications will be accepted.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector
Contact Person : Rossana Henriques
Contact Email : [email protected]
Job ID : 096773
Contact Number :
Close Date : 12-Jun-2026 12:00
