ERC-funded Postdoctoral Fellow in Organoids (<1 yr previous Postdoc experience)

University College Dublin; Dublin; Sur place; EUR 42 000 - 54 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

University College Dublin invites applications for a temporary post of a UCD Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1 in the ECM lab of the Charles Institute of Dermatology. The project, DESIGN-ECM, investigates species and sex in extracellular matrix and cells to improve 3D tissue models.

The appointee will work with two PhD students to establish methodologies over the first 36 months of the 60-month ERC project, focusing on engineering 3D ECM scaffolds, in vitro validations, and ovarian organoid

Qualifications

• PhD completed or near completion in bioengineering or related field.
• Experience with 3D tissue models is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines.

Responsabilités

• Engineer and characterize 3D ECM scaffolds.
• Perform in vitro cell validations.
• Develop 3D ovarian organoid models.

Connaissances

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Bioengineering

Tissue engineering

Mechanobiology

Organoids

Extracellular matrix protein eng

Description du poste

Applications are invited for a temporary post of a UCD Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1 within UCD School of Medicine – Charles Institute of Dermatology.

The ECM lab led by Associate Professor Seungkuk Ahn at University College Dublin in Ireland has an opening for a Postdoctoral Research position (PD level 1) to work on the ERC-funded “DESIGN-ECM” project to investigate the role of species and sex of extracellular matrix and cells for better designing 3D tissue models.

Human mimetic preclinical models imitate human organs, tissues, and diseases to enable safer, more accurate testing for new drugs and therapies. Such models are created by employing core biomaterials and cells existing in our tissues. These models have significant potential to enhance our understanding of human disease and the development of treatments. However, the majority of human preclinical models to date have neglected the species and sex of the extra cellular matrix and cells as biological variables, while species- and sex-dependent biomaterial and cell properties have been well acknowledged in animal and clinical studies.

Led by Dr Seungkuk Ahn, DESIGN-ECM will address this gap by investigating species-driven dimorphism in biomaterials and cell biology across various disciplines such as materials science, bioengineering, organoids, mechanobiology, nanobiotechnology. Success in this project will reshape the design of future preclinical models to seriously reckon with species and sex of biomaterials and cells, moving towards personalised tissue models in the long term.

Candidates will work together with 2 PhD students to establish the core methodologies and data sets for the first 36 months of the total 60-month ERC project. The main scientific works will 1) engineer and characterise 3D ECM scaffolds, 2) perform in vitro cell validations, and 3) develop 3D ovarian organoid models.

The start date of this position is 01 May 2027.

Closing date: 12:00 noon (local Irish time) on 05 November 2026.

Desired Skills and Experience

Communication and interpersonal skills, Bioengineering, Tissue Engineering, Mechanobiology, Organoids, Extracellular matrix protein engineering