Posted 02 August, 2026
Research Assistant APC Microbiome Ireland Fixed Term Whole Time Post. Project: NourishMind: A postbiotic solution targeting stress-induced weight gain
University College Cork
Cork, Cork, Ireland
Temporary
Reference: 262903012
Research Assistant APC Microbiome Ireland 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 Research Assistant with a background in Cell Biology, Biomedical Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Physiology or a related discipline to join the microbiome-gut-brain 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 postbiotic ingredient to regulate eating behaviour through modulation of microbiota-gut-brain signalling pathways.
Working within the research group of Dr Harriet Schellekens, the successful candidate will support the experimental and technical delivery of the project by conducting laboratory-based mechanistic studies, maintaining cell culture systems, processing biological samples, performing molecular and biochemical analyses, and contributing to the generation of data required for regulatory, intellectual property and commercialisation activities.
The Research Assistant will work closely with the postdoctoral researcher and multidisciplinary collaborators to generate high-quality laboratory data supporting the mechanistic validation of the NourishMind postbiotic. This includes supporting the optimisation and validation of laboratory protocols, generation of quality-controlled datasets, and preparation of technical reports required throughout the project.
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 Microbime Ireland, 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: Research Assistant IUA Salary Scale: €34,129 - €44,311 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 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 : 098414
Contact Number :
Close Date : 21-Aug-2026 12:00
16 Months Fixed Term Whole Time Post
We are currently recruiting a Research Assistant with a background in Cell Biology, Biomedical Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Physiology or a related discipline to join the microbiome-gut-brain 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 postbiotic ingredient to regulate eating behaviour through modulation of microbiota-gut-brain signalling pathways.
Working within the research group of Dr Harriet Schellekens, the successful candidate will support the experimental and technical delivery of the project by conducting laboratory-based mechanistic studies, maintaining cell culture systems, processing biological samples, performing molecular and biochemical analyses, and contributing to the generation of data required for regulatory, intellectual property and commercialisation activities.
The Research Assistant will work closely with the postdoctoral researcher and multidisciplinary collaborators to generate high-quality laboratory data supporting the mechanistic validation of the NourishMind postbiotic. This includes supporting the optimisation and validation of laboratory protocols, generation of quality-controlled datasets, and preparation of technical reports required throughout the project.
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 Microbime Ireland, 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: Research Assistant IUA Salary Scale: €34,129 - €44,311 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 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 : 098414
Contact Number :
Close Date : 21-Aug-2026 12:00
