Neurovascular Postdoctoral Researcher

Fastnet; Dublin; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Fastnet in Dublin is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to development of an innovative dual‑cell therapy for neonatal brain injury, focusing on hypoxia-associated conditions and MoA.

The role involves designing hypoxia models, conducting proteomic and transcriptomic analyses, establishing CQAs, and preparing release assays, with mentoring and collaboration across the consortium.

Qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience or related field with at least 3 years of postdoctoral experience.
• Proven experience in developing and validating in vitro and/or in vivo models of hypoxia or neurovascular injury.
• Strong expertise in cell biology, especially MSCs and ECFCs.
• Experience with proteomics and transcriptomics (RNA-seq) for MoA studies.
• Experience defining CQAs and potency release criteria for ATMPs.
• Hands-on experience with neuronal models and translational research.
• Experience leading or mentoring research staff or students.

Responsibilities

• Design, establish, and optimize in vitro hypoxia models.
• Validate models for reproducibility and translational relevance.
• Conduct omics analyses (proteomics and RNA-seq) to elucidate MoA.
• Define and characterize CQAs for MSCs and ECFCs.
• Develop release assays to ensure product consistency.
• Collaborate with consortium members to integrate assays into GMP.
• Prepare detailed reports and present findings at meetings.

Skills

Neuroscience

Cell therapy

Regenerative medicine

MSCs

ECFCs

Proteomics

Transcriptomics

MoA studies

CQAs

Potency assays

ATMPs

In vivo models

Data analysis

Leadership

Education

PhD in neuroscience or related field

Tools

RNA-Seq

Proteomics workflows

Job description

Our client in Dublin is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join their team. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of an innovative dual-cell therapy targeting neonatal hypoxia-associated brain injury. Neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the second leading cause of infant mortality globally and a major contributor to long‑term neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and sensory impairments. In Europe and the United States, HIE affects approximately 1 to 3 per 1,000 live births.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, establish, and optimize in vitro hypoxia models relevant to neonatal brain injury.
• Validate models for reproducibility and translational relevance.
• Conduct proteomic and transcriptomic (RNA-seq) analyses to elucidate the mechanism of action (MoA) of MSC and ECFC co-therapy.
• Integrate multi-omics data to identify key therapeutic pathways and biomarkers.
• Define and characterize critical quality attributes (CQAs) for both MSCs and ECFCs, including identity, purity, viability, and immunophenotype.
• Develop and implement robust assays to monitor CQAs.
• Design and validate a potency matrix that reflects the therapeutic function of the dual-cell product.
• Correlate potency metrics with MoA and preclinical efficacy data.
• Develop release assays to ensure product consistency and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with consortium members to integrate assays into GMP and downstream activities.
• Design and implement cell-based assays for functional characterisation and screening of therapeutic leads.
• Analyse complex datasets from omics platforms and functional assays.
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders. .
• Present findings at consortium meetings, scientific conferences, and stakeholder briefings.
• PhD in neuroscience, cell therapy, regenerative medicine, or a related scientific field and a minimum of 3 years of relevant postdoctoral experience.
• Proven experience in developing and validating in vitro and/or in vivo models of hypoxia or neurovascular injury.
• Strong expertise in cell biology, particularly with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and endothelial colony‑forming cells (ECFCs).
• Demonstrated experience in proteomics and transcriptomics (e.g. RNA‑seq) for mechanism of action studies.
• Experience in defining and assessing critical quality attributes (CQAs) such as identity, purity, and viability.
• Track record in developing potency assays and release criteria for advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs).
• Hands‑on experience with neuronal models and their application in neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental research.
• Experience in leading or mentoring research staff or students.