Posted 02 August, 2026
Post-Doctoral Researcher APC Microbiome Fixed Term Whole Time Post. Project: NourishMind: A postbiotic solution targeting stress-induced weight gain
University College Cork
Cork, Cork, Ireland
Temporary
Reference: 1641814952
Post-Doctoral Researcher APC Microbiome Fixed Term Whole Time Post. Project: NourishMind: A postbiotic solution targeting stress-induced weight gain
16 Months Fixed Term Whole-Time Post
We are currently recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher with a background in Neuroscience, Physiology, Nutrition, Psychology, Clinical Research, Biomedical Science, or a related discipline to join the microbiome-brain-gut axis research programme at APC Microbiome Ireland and University College Cork.
The successful candidate will join the NourishMind project, an Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund-supported programme developing a novel microbiota-targeting intervention NourishMind is being developed as a science-led solution to support the regulation of eating behaviour and weight maintenance through modulation of microbiota-gut-brain signalling pathways.
The postdoctoral researcher will work within a multidisciplinary team led by Dr Harriet Schellekens in collaboration with clinical, commercial and regulatory partners. The project combines mechanistic microbiome science with human clinical research and commercialisation activities to advance a novel postbiotic ingredient towards market readiness.
The successful candidate will play a leading role in the delivery of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over clinical study evaluating the effects of our interventon on eating behavior and cardiometabolic health in adults with overweight and obesity. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to study set-up, clinical data collection, biological sample management, statistical analysis, interpretation of findings and preparation of study reports and publications (while participant recruitment and retention is outsourced).
The successful candidate will also contribute to the generation of evidence required to support regulatory, intellectual property and commercialisation activities. They will work closely with clinical research organisations, laboratory partners and regulatory advisors to ensure that study activities are conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), ethical requirements and data protection regulations.
The candidate will be expected to contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations, grant applications and dissemination activities, while working within a highly collaborative multidisciplinary environment.
The successful candidate should have previous experience working on human intervention studies and possess excellent organisational, communication and analytical skills. They should be highly motivated, capable of working independently and comfortable interacting with research participants, clinicians, industry partners and multidisciplinary collaborators.
Salary will be commensurate with experience and in accordance with Irish University Association and University College Cork guidelines.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to a highly translational research programme spanning microbiome science, clinical research and health innovation, with direct relevance to future regulatory, commercialisation and spin-out activities.
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
Project: NourishMind: A postbiotic solution targeting stress-induced weight gain
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. Harriet Schellekens, email [email protected]
For further information on APC Microbiome Ireland | University College Cork, see https://www.ucc.ie/en/apc/
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
Salary: €47,273 - €53,925 p.a. (IUA PD Scale)
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, August 21st, 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 : Harriet Schellekens
Contact Email : [email protected]
Job ID : 098573
Contact Number :
Close Date : 21-Aug-2026 12:00
16 Months Fixed Term Whole-Time Post
We are currently recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher with a background in Neuroscience, Physiology, Nutrition, Psychology, Clinical Research, Biomedical Science, or a related discipline to join the microbiome-brain-gut axis research programme at APC Microbiome Ireland and University College Cork.
The successful candidate will join the NourishMind project, an Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund-supported programme developing a novel microbiota-targeting intervention NourishMind is being developed as a science-led solution to support the regulation of eating behaviour and weight maintenance through modulation of microbiota-gut-brain signalling pathways.
The postdoctoral researcher will work within a multidisciplinary team led by Dr Harriet Schellekens in collaboration with clinical, commercial and regulatory partners. The project combines mechanistic microbiome science with human clinical research and commercialisation activities to advance a novel postbiotic ingredient towards market readiness.
The successful candidate will play a leading role in the delivery of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over clinical study evaluating the effects of our interventon on eating behavior and cardiometabolic health in adults with overweight and obesity. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to study set-up, clinical data collection, biological sample management, statistical analysis, interpretation of findings and preparation of study reports and publications (while participant recruitment and retention is outsourced).
The successful candidate will also contribute to the generation of evidence required to support regulatory, intellectual property and commercialisation activities. They will work closely with clinical research organisations, laboratory partners and regulatory advisors to ensure that study activities are conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), ethical requirements and data protection regulations.
The candidate will be expected to contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations, grant applications and dissemination activities, while working within a highly collaborative multidisciplinary environment.
The successful candidate should have previous experience working on human intervention studies and possess excellent organisational, communication and analytical skills. They should be highly motivated, capable of working independently and comfortable interacting with research participants, clinicians, industry partners and multidisciplinary collaborators.
Salary will be commensurate with experience and in accordance with Irish University Association and University College Cork guidelines.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to a highly translational research programme spanning microbiome science, clinical research and health innovation, with direct relevance to future regulatory, commercialisation and spin-out activities.
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
Project: NourishMind: A postbiotic solution targeting stress-induced weight gain
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. Harriet Schellekens, email [email protected]
For further information on APC Microbiome Ireland | University College Cork, see https://www.ucc.ie/en/apc/
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
Salary: €47,273 - €53,925 p.a. (IUA PD Scale)
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, August 21st, 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 : Harriet Schellekens
Contact Email : [email protected]
Job ID : 098573
Contact Number :
Close Date : 21-Aug-2026 12:00
