Posted 13 June, 2026
Post Doctoral Researcher School of Engineering and Architecture
University College Cork
Cork, Cork, Ireland
Full Time
Reference: 1817402212
Post Doctoral Researcher School of Engineering and Architecture
24 months, Fixed Term, whole-time Post
A Post-Doctoral Researcher is sought to work on a project supported by the SFI on a 2-year contract starting from October 2024. The Post-Doctoral Researcher will be responsible for the development of platform for the crystallisation of anti-sense oligonucleotides. The successful candidate is expected to have Ph.D. in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, Crystal Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related disciplines and experience in development of crystallisation method of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceuticals, solubility analysis, solving crystal structures, understanding molecular dynamics simulations software's such as Material Studio, LAMPPS, etc., and meticulous knowledge of analytical tools used in the pharmaceutical industry.
The successful candidate will be hosted at the Process and Chemical Engineering Department. For more details see https://www.ucc.ie/en/processeng/
Project Summary
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) are novel alternative gene therapeutics with the potential to target diseases at the molecular level. The purification and isolation steps of ASO production generate the maximum waste, making the process unsustainable, creating a demand for greener and more economical routes. This project envisions developing a template-assisted crystallisation protocol to produce ASO crystals with improved handling and processing properties. The aim is to develop a generalised protocol that can be used for a broad variety of ASOs differing due to their nucleotide sequence, and to use this protocol to crystallise a marketed ASO drug.
Achievement of the expected progression within Post Doc and Senior Post Doc is transferable between the Irish HEI's. This can be reflected in the starting pay of a PD researcher. Similarly, as the PD scheme is an intergenerational training scheme completion of PD1 or PD 2 levels in one HEI will normally render that researcher ineligible for appointment at a similar level in another Irish HEI Researcher Career Development Framework | Irish Universities Association
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
Project Title: Template Assisted Crystallisation of Oligonucleotide Drugs (EMERALD)
Post Duration: 24 months, whole-time Post
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 Vivek Verma, Lecturer, Process and Chemical Engineering Department; Tel: + 353 (0) 21 4902549 Email: [email protected]
For further information on the Department: Engineering and Architecture | 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 IUA PD1 Salary Scale: €47, 273 - €53, 925 p.a.
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 Thursday 9th July 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 : Vivek Verma
Contact Email : [email protected]
Job ID : 097233
Contact Number :
Close Date : 09-Jul-2026 12:00
24 months, Fixed Term, whole-time Post
A Post-Doctoral Researcher is sought to work on a project supported by the SFI on a 2-year contract starting from October 2024. The Post-Doctoral Researcher will be responsible for the development of platform for the crystallisation of anti-sense oligonucleotides. The successful candidate is expected to have Ph.D. in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, Crystal Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related disciplines and experience in development of crystallisation method of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceuticals, solubility analysis, solving crystal structures, understanding molecular dynamics simulations software's such as Material Studio, LAMPPS, etc., and meticulous knowledge of analytical tools used in the pharmaceutical industry.
The successful candidate will be hosted at the Process and Chemical Engineering Department. For more details see https://www.ucc.ie/en/processeng/
Project Summary
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) are novel alternative gene therapeutics with the potential to target diseases at the molecular level. The purification and isolation steps of ASO production generate the maximum waste, making the process unsustainable, creating a demand for greener and more economical routes. This project envisions developing a template-assisted crystallisation protocol to produce ASO crystals with improved handling and processing properties. The aim is to develop a generalised protocol that can be used for a broad variety of ASOs differing due to their nucleotide sequence, and to use this protocol to crystallise a marketed ASO drug.
Achievement of the expected progression within Post Doc and Senior Post Doc is transferable between the Irish HEI's. This can be reflected in the starting pay of a PD researcher. Similarly, as the PD scheme is an intergenerational training scheme completion of PD1 or PD 2 levels in one HEI will normally render that researcher ineligible for appointment at a similar level in another Irish HEI Researcher Career Development Framework | Irish Universities Association
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
Project Title: Template Assisted Crystallisation of Oligonucleotide Drugs (EMERALD)
Post Duration: 24 months, whole-time Post
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 Vivek Verma, Lecturer, Process and Chemical Engineering Department; Tel: + 353 (0) 21 4902549 Email: [email protected]
For further information on the Department: Engineering and Architecture | 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 IUA PD1 Salary Scale: €47, 273 - €53, 925 p.a.
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 Thursday 9th July 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 : Vivek Verma
Contact Email : [email protected]
Job ID : 097233
Contact Number :
Close Date : 09-Jul-2026 12:00
