Research Assistant

Glycoscience Group

National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science

Ref. No.NUIG 4-14

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full time two year fixed term position as a research assistant in the Glycoscience Group at National University of Ireland, Galway.

Background:

Carbohydrates (glycans) coat every living cell and are involved in almost all essential biological processes and many diseases. Glycans and their corresponding proteins (lectins) are also critical in host-microbial interactions and particularly in colonisation by pathogenic species and infection on mucosal surfaces. The Glycoscience Group at NUI Galway are developing novel tools for exploring these interactions in order to improve our understanding of host-pathogen relationships and ultimately to develop novel anti-microbial approaches.

Food for Health Ireland:

The above vacancy has arisen because of a recent award to the Glycoscience Group from Food for Health Ireland (FHI). FHI is a leading global innovation centre for the development of nutritional functional ingredients to improve health, wellness and quality of life. Its mission is to combine the world class scientific capabilities of its Irish academic partners (University College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Limerick, Teagasc Food Research Centre Moorepark, Dublin City University, National University of Ireland Maynooth, and National University of Ireland Galway) with the market expertise of its industry partners (Carbery Group, Dairygold Food Ingredients, Glanbia plc, and Kerry Group), in order to generate a pipeline of innovative, nutritional, functional ingredients/ products for the global food industry.

FHI is funded by Enterprise Ireland and its industry partners. FHI is now entering its second phase of funding, which will focus on the following thematic areas:

  • Healthy Ageing and Performance Nutrition
  • Glycaemic Management
  • Appetite Modulation
  • Infant Nutrition
  • Healthy Cheeses
  • Technology

Job description:

Working as an integral member of the Infant Nutrition and Technology teams of FHI, the successful candidate will focus on glycosylation aspects of milk and milk components and will provide glycoanalytical support for this work.Excellent facilities and equipment are available within the Glycoscience Group to support the research, which is expected to deliver the basic information needed to make a significant impact on health risk through functional food development.

Qualifications

The successful candidate should have an honours degree in Analytical Science/Food Science/Chemistry or a related discipline. They will be expected to possess:

  • Experience in modern biochemical/chemical techniques
  • Experience with a range of HPLC techniques
  • An understanding of carbohydrate fractionation and analysis
  • Excellent laboratory skills, organizational skills, report writing and data analysis

Salary: €21,850 - €32,930per annum(Public sector pay policy pertaining to new entrants will apply)

Start date: 1st March 2014

Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available onResearch at NUI Galway

For information on moving to Ireland please see

Detailed information on the activities of the Glycoscience Group is available at our websites or

For informal discussion about this post, please contact Dr Marie Le Berre ()

To apply:Please send a cover letterand curriculum vitae and the names and addresses of at least three referees via e-mail (Word document or PDF only) toDr Marie Le Berre(e-mail: ).

Applicants must include the post ref. no: NUIG 4-14 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Monday 27thJanuary 2014.

National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer