Posted 23 August, 2026
Post-Doctoral Researcher (Immunologist) - APC Microbiome Ireland
University College Cork
Cork, Cork, Ireland
Full Time
Reference: 1338906710
Post-Doctoral Researcher (Immunologist) - APC Microbiome Ireland
24 Months Fixed Term, Whole-time Post
The Microbe2Mind Initiative is an ambitious new 5-year project designed to move the microbiome-gut-brain field from association to causality. By uncovering how environmental perturbations become biologically embedded through the microbiome, we will define the signalling networks and neural circuits that shape brain and behavioural function. This programme seeks to establish a new paradigm for understanding brain-body interactions.
We are currently recruiting three Postdoctoral Researchers to join the Microbiota-Gut-Brain research programme led by Prof. John F. Cryan at APC Microbiome Ireland. Together they will be focused on interdisciplinary approaches to unravel how the microbiome communicates with the brain.
The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in experimental immunology to a highly interdisciplinary team that also includes postdoctoral researchers specialising in systems neuroscience and integrative biology. They will take intellectual and experimental ownership of the immune dimension of Microbe2Mind, while working closely across disciplines to identify causal mechanisms linking microbial signals to brain function and behaviour. The successful candidate for this project will investigate the immune mechanisms through which the gut microbiome influences brain function, behaviour and physiological responses to chronic environmental challenges, including psychosocial stress, systemic inflammation and circadian disruption.
The successful candidate will contribute to multidisciplinary research examining how microbiome-derived signals influence peripheral and central immune function, with particular emphasis on immune cell phenotyping, myeloid populations, cytokine and inflammatory signalling, microglial activation and neuroimmune communication. The role will involve experimental design, implementation and analysis, integration of immunological findings with microbiome and behavioural datasets, and dissemination of research findings.
The position is particularly suited to candidates with strong experimental expertise in immunology and an interest in applying this expertise to microbiome-brain research. All relevant animal research will be conducted in accordance with Directive 2010/63/EU and S.I. No. 543 of 2012. The role requires excellent organisational, analytical and communication skills, along with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment.
UCC is an accredited research organisation and as such can form hosting agreements with third country nationals (and non-EEA nationals) for the purpose of conducting research in the University.
Post Duration: 2 years in the first instance, renewable for up to 5 years subject to continued funding and satisfactory performance.
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
Project: Microbe2Mind Initiative: Decoding the Mechanisms of Brain-Body Communication
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 Prof John F. Cryan, Professor, Dept Anatomy & Neuroscience and Principal Investigator APC Microbiome Ireland, Tel: + 353 (0) 21 4205426; Email: [email protected] or Dr. Lamya'a M. Dawud, Lab Manager and Senior Research Fellow, [email protected]
For further information on the hiring unit, please see: APC Microbiome Ireland - University College Cork - Teagasc: 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: IUA PD 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 24th September 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 : Lamya'a M. Dawud
Contact Email : [email protected]
Job ID : 098934
Contact Number :
Close Date : 24-Sep-2026 12:00
24 Months Fixed Term, Whole-time Post
The Microbe2Mind Initiative is an ambitious new 5-year project designed to move the microbiome-gut-brain field from association to causality. By uncovering how environmental perturbations become biologically embedded through the microbiome, we will define the signalling networks and neural circuits that shape brain and behavioural function. This programme seeks to establish a new paradigm for understanding brain-body interactions.
We are currently recruiting three Postdoctoral Researchers to join the Microbiota-Gut-Brain research programme led by Prof. John F. Cryan at APC Microbiome Ireland. Together they will be focused on interdisciplinary approaches to unravel how the microbiome communicates with the brain.
The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in experimental immunology to a highly interdisciplinary team that also includes postdoctoral researchers specialising in systems neuroscience and integrative biology. They will take intellectual and experimental ownership of the immune dimension of Microbe2Mind, while working closely across disciplines to identify causal mechanisms linking microbial signals to brain function and behaviour. The successful candidate for this project will investigate the immune mechanisms through which the gut microbiome influences brain function, behaviour and physiological responses to chronic environmental challenges, including psychosocial stress, systemic inflammation and circadian disruption.
The successful candidate will contribute to multidisciplinary research examining how microbiome-derived signals influence peripheral and central immune function, with particular emphasis on immune cell phenotyping, myeloid populations, cytokine and inflammatory signalling, microglial activation and neuroimmune communication. The role will involve experimental design, implementation and analysis, integration of immunological findings with microbiome and behavioural datasets, and dissemination of research findings.
The position is particularly suited to candidates with strong experimental expertise in immunology and an interest in applying this expertise to microbiome-brain research. All relevant animal research will be conducted in accordance with Directive 2010/63/EU and S.I. No. 543 of 2012. The role requires excellent organisational, analytical and communication skills, along with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment.
UCC is an accredited research organisation and as such can form hosting agreements with third country nationals (and non-EEA nationals) for the purpose of conducting research in the University.
Post Duration: 2 years in the first instance, renewable for up to 5 years subject to continued funding and satisfactory performance.
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
Project: Microbe2Mind Initiative: Decoding the Mechanisms of Brain-Body Communication
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 Prof John F. Cryan, Professor, Dept Anatomy & Neuroscience and Principal Investigator APC Microbiome Ireland, Tel: + 353 (0) 21 4205426; Email: [email protected] or Dr. Lamya'a M. Dawud, Lab Manager and Senior Research Fellow, [email protected]
For further information on the hiring unit, please see: APC Microbiome Ireland - University College Cork - Teagasc: 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: IUA PD 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 24th September 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 : Lamya'a M. Dawud
Contact Email : [email protected]
Job ID : 098934
Contact Number :
Close Date : 24-Sep-2026 12:00
