Vacancy Summary
The Can-Vas project, funded by the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), is focused on advancing a novel stem cell-based therapy to be used in combination with the current standard-of-care, therapeutic hypothermia. Early data has shown promising therapeutic potential. As a Senior Scientist, you will play a key role in driving this programme forward, exploring Critical Quality Attributes, broad spectrum screening, therapeutic mechanisms of action, potency matrix development and support for the transition toward First-In-Human, Phase 1 clinical trials.
The Can-Vas consortium is composed of four partners. The position advertised will focus on Analytical Development and is based in CONCEPT. CONCEPT is a state-of-the-art facility constructed at NIBRT and supported through Research Ireland and IDA Ireland. We provide a National Core Facility for researchers and the biopharmaceutical industry to access emerging technologies and supports that enable and accelerate innovation, research and development of Advanced Biotherapies and Biologics.
Position Available
Neurovascular Senior Research Fellow
Location
Dublin
Department
CONCEPT
Hiring Manager
Clair Gallagher
Contract Type
30 Months FTC
Application Date
July 2025
Interview Dates
August/September
Salary \& Benefits
Competitive salary and excellent suite of benefits including pension, private health insurance, income protection scheme, 25 days annual leave plus up to 3 additional company days off, generous training and career development supports, flexible working hours and work from home set up supported.
Role Purpose
We are seeking a highly motivated, innovative Senior Research Fellow to join the Can-Vas consortium at CONCEPT, NIBRT. The team will lead an exciting, funded project titled: “Cell Therapy Platform: Unlocking Life-Changing Treatments for Neonatal Brain Injury”.
This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of an innovative dual-cell therapy targeting neonatal hypoxia-associated brain injury. Neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the second leading cause of infant mortality globally and a major contributor to long-term neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and sensory impairments. In Europe and the United States, HIE affects approximately 1 to 3 per 1,000 live births.
Key Responsibilities
The key responsibilities of the job include:
Design, establish, and optimize in vitro hypoxia models relevant to neonatal brain injury.
Validate models for reproducibility and translational relevance.
Conduct proteomic and transcriptomic (RNA-seq) analyses to elucidate the mechanism of action (MoA) of MSC and ECFC co-therapy.
Integrate multi-omics data to identify key therapeutic pathways and biomarkers.
Define and characterize critical quality attributes (CQAs) for both MSCs and ECFCs, including identity, purity, viability, and immunophenotype.
Develop and implement robust assays to monitor CQAs.
Design and validate a potency matrix that reflects the therapeutic function of the dual-cell product.
Correlate potency metrics with MoA and preclinical efficacy data.
Develop release assays to ensure product consistency and compliance with regulatory standards.
Collaborate with consortium members to integrate assays into GMP and downstream activities.
Design and implement cell-based assays for functional characterisation and screening of therapeutic leads.
Analyse complex datasets from omics platforms and functional assays.
Prepare detailed reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
To manage the project and team to ensure generation of robust data in line with regulatory and consortium member requirements.
Ensure timely execution of milestones and deliverables as outlined in the Can-Vas project plan.
Coordinate with cross-functional teams including cell manufacturing, regulatory, and clinical translation.
Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary research team, fostering collaboration and scientific excellence.
Lead and drive writing of manuscripts, grant reports, and regulatory submission contributions.
Present findings at consortium meetings, scientific conferences, and stakeholder briefings.
NIBRT Employee Responsibilities:
At NIBRT, our purpose is to support the Biopharma Industry in Ireland and beyond. As such, all colleagues act as NIBRT ambassadors may need to communicate, and build relationships, with our Biopharma clients and partners. This may require ad hoc attendance of industry events and conferences outside of routine hours.
At NIBRT all team members are expected to:
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Conduct themselves in line with the NIBRT values, maintaining at all times a high standard of professionalism.
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Enhance the value derived through collaboration by participating in and/or working at company events (inside and outside of standard working hours), working in at least one of NIBRT’s cross functional teams, providing feedback through survey or focus groups when asked to do so.
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Attend and/or complete mandatory training prescribed for all employees by NIBRT.
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Support colleagues and the institute by promoting the work and services of NIBRT through your media and networks.
Essential Criteria
PhD in neuroscience, cell therapy, regenerative medicine, or a related scientific field and at least 6 years post-PhD experience in the field.
Clearly demonstrated leadership in research, a strong publication record in high-impact journals, presentation at international conferences, successful supervision of junior researchers and /or PhD students.
Proven experience in developing and validating in vitro and/or in vivo models of hypoxia or neurovascular injury.
Strong expertise in cell biology, particularly with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs).
Demonstrated experience in proteomics and transcriptomics (e.g., RNA-seq) for mechanism of action studies.
Experience in defining and assessing critical quality attributes (CQAs) such as identity, purity, and viability.
Track record in developing potency assays and release criteria for advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs).
Hands-on experience with neuronal models and their application in neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental research.
Familiarity with neurovascular models and the study of vascular–neural interactions in health and disease.
Strong analytical skills with experience in interpreting complex biological datasets.
Excellent project management skills with a history of meeting research milestones and deliverables.
Experience in leading or mentoring research staff or students.
Strong communication skills, including scientific writing and presentation.
Experience contributing to regulatory submissions.
Familiarity with regulatory frameworks for ATMPs or first-in-human trials.
Experience working in a translational research environment.
Experience with bioinformatics tools for omics data analysis.
Prior involvement in multi-partner or industry-academic collaborative projects.
Deep knowledge of a range of neurodevelopmental disorders and neonatal brain injury.
How To Apply?
To apply for this position please forward your CV and cover letter to careers@nibrt.ie
Please include your name and the position which you are applying for in the subject line. Please note that the successful candidate may be required to supply parchments of degrees/qualifications/work permits.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence by contacting careers@nibrt.ie
NIBRT is an Equal Opportunities Employer.