The Post-Doctorate Researcher / Research Fellow will be required to initiate, develop and manage high level research projects in line with the objectives of the BREATH project, which is funded by the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the SEUPB.

This position will involve working as an active member of the cross-border research consortium, with a specific focus on targeting deubiquitinases (DUBs) to develop new treatments for airways disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The successful applicant will be based in Almac Discovery’s state of the art laboratories on the Life Sciences Campus at Queen’s University, Belfast.

Almac Discovery is a research driven drug discovery company with operations at Queen’s University Belfast (medicinal chemistry and biology) Edinburgh (protein therapeutics) and Manchester (bio-informatics). The combination of the highest quality science, dedicated, passionate people and access to a strong academic network allow Almac Discovery to succeed in the challenging world of modern drug discovery. We work creatively and energetically to translate early stage research from concept to therapeutic opportunity.

The role holder will be involved in target identification and validation of DUBs in airways diseases, including running CRISPR-based screens in disease relevant cellular systems, as well as using novel DUB inhibitors to interrogate new biological pathways of importance in airways disease.

Applicants must possess a PhD in biology, biochemistry, molecular / cellular biology or another relevant life science discipline. In addition, they will possess an excellent scientific background and expertise, experimental knowledge and hands-on experience in target identification and/or validation and molecular / cellular biology. The ideal applicant will have a track record of publication in high quality peer reviewed journals, commensurate with their stage of career.

It would be highly desirable for the successful post holder to possess previous experience in an area relevant to airways disease and in ubiquitin drug discovery. Previous experience of CRISPR gene-editing technology and familiarity with assay design and set-up of in vitro assays relevant to drug discovery would also be advantageous.

Further enquiries regarding this position may be directed to Xavier Jacq, Vice President Biology, Almac Discovery ([email protected])

Applications for all positions should be in the form of a CV with names of two referees and should be sent to [email protected], quoting reference PDR2020.

Applicants should also include a cover letter detailing their suitability for the relevant position. They should also include an official copy of degree(s) (if applicable, an official English translation) and any English proficiency test result required, which must be sent as PDFs in a single email.

This post is initially offered on a 12 month fixed term basis commencing in January 2020 with a  possibility of extension.

No other form of application will be accepted.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Thursday 29th October 2020 at 1700 hours.

Late applications are not accepted.