Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in 3D Printing and Biomaterials at Trinity College Dublin
Post Specification
Post Title: | Research Fellow in 3D Printing, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering |
Post Status: | Specific Purpose Contract – Full-time or Part-time. |
Research Group / Department / School: | AMBER & Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering (TCBE), Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin |
Location: | Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland |
Reports to: | Prof. Conor Buckley |
Salary: | Appointment will be made on the IUA Postdoctoral Researcher Scale at a point in line with Government Pay Policy [€44,347 to €56,764 per annum], appointment will be made no higher than point PD1 Point 6 (€50,805) and will be based on previous experience |
Hours of Work: | 39 hours per week |
Closing Date: | 21st August 2024, preferred start date of September/October 2024 |
Post Summary
Project Title: 3D Printed Collagen-Based Surrogate Lumens for Enhanced Surgical Training
Project Description: Surgical training is a critical component in preparing surgeons for complex procedures, particularly when using advanced medical devices. Traditional methods, such as the use of cadavers and animal models, present significant ethical challenges and often fail to accurately mimic the complexity of human tissues. The development of biomimetic vessels that replicate human structures and functions presents an innovative and ethical solution to these challenges. This proposal aims to develop collagen-based surrogate lumens that recapitulate critical and discrete tissue elements for surgical training. This project is part of a multidisciplinary team that is exploring the use of emerging 3D Printing and 3D Bioprinting strategies for Tissue Engineering and the development of next generation medical devices. The project is part of the AMBER centre (http://ambercentre.ie) and the Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering (https://www.tcd.ie/biomedicalengineering/) based at Trinity College Dublin.
The Buckley lab: Prof. Buckley leads a multidisciplinary research group in the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin and is a Principal Investigator in both the Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering (TCBE) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) National Centre for Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre at Trinity College Dublin and an Honorary Associate Professor in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The goal of the Buckley lab is to develop novel responsive biomaterials and cell-based strategies to regenerate damaged tissues to restore function using minimally invasive strategies (MIS). The main research interests of the Buckley lab include intervertebral disc, peripheral nerve, meniscus and cartilage regeneration, cellular microencapsulation for therapeutic regeneration, injectable biomaterials, 3D bioprinting, tissue cryopreservation, biomimetics and tissue decellularization strategies for innovative clinical intervention. Prof. Buckley has published over 80 international peer-reviewed articles and over 200 conference publications. He is also a PI on several commercial projects developing biomaterials for peripheral nerve repair and bioprinting for next-generation implantable devices and tissues for orthopaedic applications. In 2022, he co-founded Altach, (https://altach.health/) a campus spin-out company pioneering off-the-shelf cartilage scaffolds to regenerate damaged knee joints. Prof. Buckley’s laboratory has been recognised through notable honours and distinctions including the Irish Research Council (IRC) New Foundations Award, Engineers Ireland Biomedical Research Medal, European Society of Biomechanics S.M. Perren Award. He is a recipient of a Science Foundation Ireland Career Development Award (CDA, 2016), a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator award to develop personalised medicine approaches to regenerate the intervertebral disc (2019) and an ERC Proof of Concept award for injectable biomimetic self-healing tissue adhesives (2024). More information can be found here: https://www.buckleylab.eu/
The Kelly Lab: Dr Daniel Kelly is the Professor of Tissue Engineering at Trinity College Dublin. He is also the leader of the biomaterials platform in AMBER, the Science Foundation Ireland funded materials science centre based in Trinity College Dublin. He is a past recipient of a Science Foundation Ireland President of Ireland Young Researcher Award, a Fulbright Visiting Scholar grant (at the Department of Biomedical Engineering in Columbia University, New York) and three European Research Council awards (Starter grant 2010; Consolidator grant 2015; Proof of Concept 2017). His lab focuses on developing novel tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting strategies to regenerate damaged and diseased musculoskeletal tissues. More information can be found here: https://www.kelly-lab.com/
About the Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER): AMBER is a Science Foundation Ireland funded centre that provides a partnership between leading researchers in materials science and industry. More information can be found at http://ambercentre.ie/
The AMBER research centre, as a community of researchers, welcomes its responsibility to provide equal opportunities for all. We are actively seeking diversity in our research teams and particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups.
About the Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering (TCBE): TCBE is a key research centre in Trinity College combining fundamental research with translation to clinical practice. TCBE provides a structure to bring bioengineers, basic scientists and clinicians together to focus on important clinical needs and has four key research themes: Medical Devices & Advanced Drug Delivery, Neural Engineering, Biomechanics & Mechanobiology, Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine. The project work will be carried out in our state-of-the-art facilities located in the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute. The successful applicant will join a dynamic, multidisciplinary lab consisting of postdoctoral researchers and PhD students based in TCBE. More information can be found here: https://www.tcd.ie/biomedicalengineering/
Standard Duties and Responsibilities of the Post
- Undertake academic research under the direction of the PI and Co-PI
- Engage and collaborate with industry partner and researchers involved in the project
- Undertake appropriate administrative/management/leadership activities and tasks
- Mentor and supervise undergraduate and/or graduate students and provide training in relevant research activities
- Collaborate with other researchers within TCBE and AMBER
Funding Information
- Industry partner funded project through AMBER SFI research centre.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- The ideal applicant will have a PhD in biomedical engineering, biomaterials, tissue engineering, materials science or a related discipline.
Knowledge & Experience (Essential & Desirable)
- A strong background in engineering or materials science (Essential)
- Excellent written and oral communication skills (Essential)
- Previous experience in 3D printing (Essential)
- Previous experience in hydrogels, tissue engineering, mechanical testing, histology techniques (Desirable)
- An excellent publication record and/or development of intellectual property would be advantageous (Desirable)
Skills & Competencies
- A strong background in engineering and/or materials science
- Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
- Project management and organisational skills
- Flexible, self-motivated and willingness to adapt to the project needs
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team
- Possess the capability and confidence to solve technical challenges
- Enthusiastic, motivated and committed to personal development
Application Procedure
Applicants should submit a full Curriculum Vitae to include the names and contact details of 3 referees (including email addresses), to:
Prof. Conor Buckley
Subject heading: AMBER-3DP Lumens Research Fellow
Only short-listed applicants will be acknowledged.
Further Information for Applicants
URL Link to Area | |
URL Link to Human Resources |
Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin
Trinity is Ireland’s leading university and is ranked 98th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023). Founded in 1592, the University is steeped in history with a reputation for excellence in education, research and innovation.
Located on an iconic campus in the heart of Dublin’s city centre, Trinity has 18,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students across our three faculties – Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Engineering, Mathematics and Science; and Health Sciences.
The pursuit of excellence through research and scholarship is at the heart of a Trinity education, and our researchers have an outstanding publication record and strong record of grant success. Trinity has developed 19 broad-based multidisciplinary research themes that cut across disciplines and facilitate world-leading research and collaboration within the University and with colleagues around the world. Trinity is also home to 5 leading flagship research institutes:
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI)
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN)
- Trinity Translational Medical Institute (TTMI)
- Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute (TLRH)
- Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN)
Trinity is home to the famous Old Library and to the historic Book of Kells as well as other internationally significant holdings in manuscripts, maps and early printed material. The Trinity Library is a legal deposit library, granting the University the right to claim a copy of every book published in Ireland and the UK. At present, the Library’s holdings span approximately 6.5 million printed items, 400,000 e-books and 150,000 e-journals.
With over 120,000 alumni, Trinity’s tradition of independent intellectual inquiry has produced some of the world’s finest, most original minds including the writers Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett (Nobel laureates), the mathematician William Rowan Hamilton and the physicist Ernest Walton (Nobel laureate), the political thinker Edmund Burke, and the former President of Ireland Mary Robinson. This tradition finds expression today in a campus culture of scholarship, innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and dedication to societal reform.
Rankings
Trinity College Dublin is the top ranked university in Ireland. Using the QS methodology we are ranked 98th in the world and using the Times Higher Education World University Ranking methodology we are 146th in the World.
- Trinity College Dublin is Ireland's No.1 University
(QS World University Ranking 2023, Times Higher Education Rankings 2022) - Trinity is ranked 98th in the World
(QS World University Ranking 2023) - Trinity is ranked No.1 in Europe for Producing Entrepreneurs for the 7th year in a row Pitchbook 2021-2022
Full details are available at: www.tcd.ie/research/about/rankings.
The Selection Process in Trinity
The Selection Committee (Interview Panel) may include members of the Academic and Administrative community together with External Assessor(s) who are expert in the area. Applications will be acknowledged by email. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt within 1 day of submitting your application online, please contact the named hiring lead on the job specification immediately and prior to the closing date/time.
Given the degree of co-ordination and planning to have a Selection Committee available on the specified date, the University regrets that it may not be in a position to offer alternate selection dates. Where candidates are unavailable, reserves may be drawn from a shortlist. Outcomes of interviews are notified in writing to candidates and are issued no later than 5 working days following the selection day.
The Selection Committee may avail of telephone or video conferencing or in person interview. The University’s selection methods may consist of any or all of the following: Interviews, Presentations, Psychometric Testing, References and Situational Exercises.
It is the policy of the University to conduct pre-employment medical screening/full pre-employment medicals. Information supplied by candidates in their application (Cover Letter and CV) will be used to shortlist for interview.
Applications from non-EEA citizens are welcomed. However, eligibility is determined by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and further information on the Highly Skills Eligible Occupations List is set out in Schedule 3 of the Regulations https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Employment-Permit-Eligibility/Highly-Skilled-Eligible-Occupations-List/ and the Ineligible Categories of Employment are set out in Schedule 4 of the Regulations https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Employment-Permit-Eligibility/Ineligible-Categories-of-Employment/ . Non-EEA candidates should note that the onus is on them to secure a visa to travel to Ireland prior to interview. Non-EEA candidates should also be aware that even if successful at interview, an appointment to the post is contingent on the securing of an employment permit.
Equal Opportunities Policy
Trinity is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to employment policies, procedures and practices which do not discriminate on grounds such as gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, race, religious belief, sexual orientation or membership of the travelling community. On that basis we encourage and welcome talented people from all backgrounds to join our staff community. Trinity’s Diversity Statement can be viewed in full at https://www.tcd.ie/diversity-inclusion/diversity-statement.
Pension Entitlements
This is a pensionable position and the provisions of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 will apply in relation to retirement age for pension purposes. Details of the relevant Pension Scheme will be provided to the successful applicant.
Applicants should note that they will be required to complete a Pre-Employment Declaration to confirm whether or not they have previously availed of an Irish Public Service Scheme of incentivised early retirement or enhanced redundancy payment. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Irish Public Service employment.
Applicants formerly employed by the Irish Public Service that may previously have availed of an Irish Public Service Scheme of Incentivised early retirement or enhanced redundancy payment should ensure that they are not precluded from re-engagement in the Irish Public Service under the terms of such Schemes. Such queries should be directed to an applicant’s former Irish Public Service Employer in the first instance.
