Research Assistant Full-time Job
9 months ago - Medical & Healthcare - CorkJob Details
Research Assistant, Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience
6 Month, Fixed-term, Whole-time Post
Position Summary
A candidate is sought to join a research team focusing on appetite regulation, metabolic health and stress response within the gut-brain axis. Loss of appetite is very common among elderly persons and has been related to a higher risk of malnutrition, lower muscular strength, and poorer functional capacity. When appetite loss leads to weight loss it increases the chances of the older person developing frailty, disability, and mortality (Serra-Prat et al., 2009; Morley, 2012). Frailty is also associated with a higher risk of cognitive and physical impairment, and other adverse outcomes such as increased stress sensitivity. Gut microbiome changes have also been linked with a higher risk for decreased function in aging populations. There are very few appetite stimulants available for doctors to prescribe to patients with weight loss and poor appetite. Those that are on prescription (Megestrol Acetate), can have serious side effects (e.g., blood clotting) that frequently warrant discontinuation. There are currently no nutritional preparations on the market which safely stimulate appetite, and novel approaches to build resilience are warranted, specifically in ageing and to halt the progression to frailty.
The research will involve investigating if novel identified dairy-derived hydrolysates can induce changes in feeding behaviour and associated biomarkers in an animal model. A role for the microbiome is also investigated. The candidate will work closely with colleagues in University College Dublin and industry and with Food for Health Ireland (FHI; www.fhi.ie).
FHI is a centre for functional food development funded by Enterprise Ireland and members of the Irish Food Industry. FHI combines expertise from a number of national institutes including University College Dublin, University College Cork, Teagasc and others. This RA position will be located at University College Cork.
We are seeking a suitably qualified Research Assistant to 1) conduct the study in the animal unit as per study protocol; 3) optimise study protocol; 4); analyse data and prepare for publication. The overall objective of the project is to develop functional foods, medical foods or neutraceuticals that help to stimulate appetite in the malnourished elderly population.
The successful candidate will be part of the appetite modulation team, which is staffed by personnel on the University College Cork campus. The candidate would be expected to make an outstanding contribution to the preclinical and translational arm of the laboratory and to work towards successfully meeting the goals and objectives of the project. The candidate should have excellent communication skills, a good command of the English language and have experience woriking in a multidisciplinary team. They will be self-motivated with ability to conduct independent research to a very high level. Successful completed the TEARAP course (ProfCert Training on Experimental Animal Use, Regulations & Procedures) or equivalent, will be strong advantage.
Post Duration: 6 months
Salary: €29,275 - €39,158 p.a. (IUA Salary Scale)
Project Title: GPCR pharmacology and screening in appetite signalling
For an information package including further details of the post see https://ore.ucc.ie/.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to: Dr. Harriet Schellekens, Anatomy & neuroscience, Email: H.Schellekens@ucc.ie
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 recruitment@ucc.ie, quoting the job-title and project name.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, 13th October 2023.
No late applications will be accepted.
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.
UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated. As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC is committed to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff. We encourage applicants to consult our policies at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/policies/ and initiatives at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/implementation/ and we welcome applications from everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Contact Person : Dr. Harriet Schellekens Contact Email : H.Schellekens@ucc.ie
Job ID : 071411 Contact Number :
Close Date : 13-Oct-2023 12:00
6 Month, Fixed-term, Whole-time Post
Position Summary
A candidate is sought to join a research team focusing on appetite regulation, metabolic health and stress response within the gut-brain axis. Loss of appetite is very common among elderly persons and has been related to a higher risk of malnutrition, lower muscular strength, and poorer functional capacity. When appetite loss leads to weight loss it increases the chances of the older person developing frailty, disability, and mortality (Serra-Prat et al., 2009; Morley, 2012). Frailty is also associated with a higher risk of cognitive and physical impairment, and other adverse outcomes such as increased stress sensitivity. Gut microbiome changes have also been linked with a higher risk for decreased function in aging populations. There are very few appetite stimulants available for doctors to prescribe to patients with weight loss and poor appetite. Those that are on prescription (Megestrol Acetate), can have serious side effects (e.g., blood clotting) that frequently warrant discontinuation. There are currently no nutritional preparations on the market which safely stimulate appetite, and novel approaches to build resilience are warranted, specifically in ageing and to halt the progression to frailty.
The research will involve investigating if novel identified dairy-derived hydrolysates can induce changes in feeding behaviour and associated biomarkers in an animal model. A role for the microbiome is also investigated. The candidate will work closely with colleagues in University College Dublin and industry and with Food for Health Ireland (FHI; www.fhi.ie).
FHI is a centre for functional food development funded by Enterprise Ireland and members of the Irish Food Industry. FHI combines expertise from a number of national institutes including University College Dublin, University College Cork, Teagasc and others. This RA position will be located at University College Cork.
We are seeking a suitably qualified Research Assistant to 1) conduct the study in the animal unit as per study protocol; 3) optimise study protocol; 4); analyse data and prepare for publication. The overall objective of the project is to develop functional foods, medical foods or neutraceuticals that help to stimulate appetite in the malnourished elderly population.
The successful candidate will be part of the appetite modulation team, which is staffed by personnel on the University College Cork campus. The candidate would be expected to make an outstanding contribution to the preclinical and translational arm of the laboratory and to work towards successfully meeting the goals and objectives of the project. The candidate should have excellent communication skills, a good command of the English language and have experience woriking in a multidisciplinary team. They will be self-motivated with ability to conduct independent research to a very high level. Successful completed the TEARAP course (ProfCert Training on Experimental Animal Use, Regulations & Procedures) or equivalent, will be strong advantage.
Post Duration: 6 months
Salary: €29,275 - €39,158 p.a. (IUA Salary Scale)
Project Title: GPCR pharmacology and screening in appetite signalling
For an information package including further details of the post see https://ore.ucc.ie/.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to: Dr. Harriet Schellekens, Anatomy & neuroscience, Email: H.Schellekens@ucc.ie
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 recruitment@ucc.ie, quoting the job-title and project name.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, 13th October 2023.
No late applications will be accepted.
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.
UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated. As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC is committed to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff. We encourage applicants to consult our policies at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/policies/ and initiatives at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/implementation/ and we welcome applications from everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Contact Person : Dr. Harriet Schellekens Contact Email : H.Schellekens@ucc.ie
Job ID : 071411 Contact Number :
Close Date : 13-Oct-2023 12:00
