Post-doctoral Position in Cork/Ireland

Post-Doctoral Researcher/Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher-Mechanisms Underlying Brain-Gut-Immune-Microbiome Signalling
The concept that the gut microbiome can influence brain & behaviour is a paradigm shift in neuroscience research (http://www.jneurosci.org/content/34/46/15490.long). The APC Microbiome Institute (http://www.ucc.ie/research/apc/content/) was formed in 2003 with funding from Science Foundation Ireland and in conjunction with key industry partners. Over the last decade the APC Microbiome Institute has established itself as one of the leading global centres in gut microbiota research.

The Brain-Gut-Microbiota Axis team in the APC Microbiome Institute is led by Prof. John Cryan and Prof. Ted Dinan. We are now seeking to recruit talented, ambitious, self-motivated researchers (Postdoctoral/Senior Postdoctoral levels) to investigate the influence of the gastrointestinal microbiota on brain and behaviour and to determine the mechanisms involved. The aim is to use state of the art neurobiological techniques to relate changes in behavioural phenotype, as a consequence of gastrointestinal microbiota intervention strategies, with changes in immune, stress, neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter systems. (see Cryan and Dinan Nat Rev Neuro 2012; Borre et al Trends Mol Med 2014). The program is highly interdisciplinary, utilizing behaviour, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, electrophysiology and brain circuit determination coupled with metabolomics & microbiome analysis.

Qualifications/experience: The ideal candidate(s) will have a PhD and a strong publication record in a relevant scientific discipline (eg. Neuroscience, Neuroimmunology, Neuroendocrinology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology) and preferably with animal behavioural experience. Applicants for the post of Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher should have a PhD, 2-3 years research experience and proven ability to conduct independent research to a very high level.