24 May 2021 | Ireland (Republic of Ireland)

School of Physics & Institute for Discovery, University College Dublin (UCD) is looking at a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position

DEADLINE: 2nd June 2021

Project Description

The EU H2020 project NanoInformaTIX aims to create a comprehensive, sustainable, multi-scale modelling framework for exposure and (eco)-toxicity of Engineered Nanomaterials (ENM) to facilitate cost-effective risk assessment, less reliant on animal testing, and to support the design of safer materials and products. Our approach integrates several relevant EU/US databases with validated nanoinformatics models covering: Materials, Exposure, Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetics (PBPK), Quantitative-Structure-Activity Relations (QSAR) and Systems Biology modelling and in vitro/in vivo extrapolation to support the prediction of biological effects and exposure of ENM at various stages of their life cycle and product development. The project consortium involves more than 20 labs (https://www.nanoinformatix.eu/partners/ ) from the EU, Asia and South Africa.

A main task of the UCD team is to calculate advanced physico-chemical descriptors and biophysical characteristics and descriptors of inorganic materials interacting with biomolecules. The fellow will perform molecular modelling tasks to calculate advanced biophysical characteristics and descriptors of systems of inorganic materials (e.g., nanoparticles, nanotubes) and biomolecules. The main goal is to find efficient yet accurate ways to characterise biomolecular interactions involving nanomaterials. Particular tasks will include the use and development of multiscale molecular modelling methods for calculating the biophysical properties of protein-covered nanoparticles and other engineered nano-materials (atomistic MD and, as needed, coarse-grained simulations including molecular and molecular docking) and their interaction with biomolecules.

School of Physics & Institute for Discovery, University College Dublin (UCD), is one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities and Ireland’s global university. Search our current vacancies and discover a wide variety of jobs, including teaching,  research, technical,  professional and administrative roles. It is looking at a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position (fixed-term until 28 February 2023) in computational molecular modelling.

Key responsibilities

The work will be done on collaboration with the existing team at UCD and with other EU project partners specialised in molecular modelling and informatics. More specifically, the selected candidate for the present position will work with Prof. Nicolae-Viorel Buchete and other members of his group in the UCD School of Physics. The fellowship has a duration of one year, and it can be extended for up to one additional year, subject to existing funding and upon a positive review of the research activities carried at the end of the first year.

Selection criteria

This is a research focused role, where you will conduct a specified programme of research supported by research training and development under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator.

The primary purpose of the role is to further develop your research skills and competences, including the processes of publication in peer-reviewed academic publications, the development of funding proposals, the mentorship of graduate students along with the opportunity to develop your skills in research led teaching.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UCD is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is afforded equality of opportunity. To that end the university adheres to a range of equality, diversity and inclusion policies. We encourage applicants to consult those policies here https://www.ucd.ie/equality/. We welcome applications from everyone, including those who identify with any of the protected characteristics that are set out in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy.

UCD offers a comprehensive Research Careers Framework in line with the Advisory Science Council Report ‘Towards a Framework for Researcher Careers’. This model provides a structured and supportive Career and Skills Development system designed to ensure that Post-docs in UCD are able to plan their careers and prepare for future opportunities in academia, industry or the public sector.

For more information, please click here https://www.ucd.ie/researchcareers/

Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/

Applications 

The application deadline is June 2nd, 2021 at 17:00hrs (local Irish time) | For additional information, please contact Prof. Nicolae-Viorel Buchete ([email protected]).

To apply and for details about the position, please visit the UCD Jobs website at: http://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 17:00hrs (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications.

UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV’s submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.

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