Postdoctoral Researcher

RCSI - Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Organisation/Company RCSI - Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Department Human Resources Research Field Pharmacological sciences » Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country Ireland Application Deadline 18 Nov 2025 - 17:00 (Europe/Dublin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 39 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher
Department: School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Reporting to: Dr Roger Preston
Contract/Duration: Specified purpose contract, up to 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Closing Date: 26th of November 2025 at 5pm
RCSI is a community of academic, research, clinical and professional staff working collaboratively to lead the world to better health. Here, you will thrive in an innovative and inclusive atmosphere and your personal development and wellbeing will be supported. We invite you to join us to help deliver on our exciting mission “To educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health”. We seek candidates whose experience to date has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to the “Race Equality Action Plan 2025-2029” at RCSI. Our students come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. This makes our university stronger and ensures we hire the best talent.
Innovating for a Healthier Future 2023-2027 is RCSI’s new five-year strategic plan. Through it, RCSI will enhance human health by meeting the health workforce needs of society, creating the insights and inventions that drive health improvements, and working in partnership with patients and the public in support of better health and well-being for all. The strategy unites the RCSI community in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals – with a particular focus on Goal 3, which targets good health and well-being.
For each of the last six years, RCSI has been positioned in the Top 300 of universities worldwide in the Times Higher World University Rankings. We are proud that RCSI ranks first in the world for “Good Health and Well-being” in the Times Higher Education #SDG #SDG Impact Rankings 2025. This reflects our commitment to supporting people of all ages to live healthy lives and our work to promote the concepts of well-being and positive health. In 2024, RCSI was delighted to be named one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work in Ireland.
At RCSI, our core values of Respect, Collaboration, Scholarship, and Innovation are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where every colleague is valued and empowered to thrive. Our dedication to these values ensures that we foster a culture of mutual respect, open collaboration, continuous learning, and innovative thinking. Join us at RCSI, where your contributions will be recognised, and you will be part of a dynamic team making a real impact on global health.
About Our Research
RCSI recognises that excellence in research is critical to the quality of its educational activities, its credibility, and, overall, to its mission to enhance human health. RCSI’s research strategy aims to build upon its strength in translational biomedical and clinical research to deliver transformational, high impact changes in health care. Targeting both Irish national and EU funding, along with increased collaboration with industry, is a major part of the RCSI research strategy. Forging increased collaboration between RCSI PIs and industry is of critical importance to achieving success in this area. RCSI is also committed to provide its researchers with the supports and developmental opportunities to enable them to continuously grow and support their overall career development.
Summary of Post
The position will work on a project that aims to investigate the mechanistic role of coagulation factors in regulating inflammation, building on recent discoveries from our group (Leon et al., Nature Communications 2025; Rehill et al., Science Advances 2025). This Research Ireland-funded project will elucidate how components of the coagulation cascade modulate inflammatory cell signalling, with a view to developing novel therapeutic approaches.
The successful candidate will work within Dr Roger Preston’s laboratory in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at RCSI, Dublin.
Role Overview
The successful candidate will use a variety of molecular and cellular techniques to explore crosstalk between the coagulation and inflammation pathways. Experimental methods used in this project will include cell-based coagulation assays, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, recombinant protein production, cell signalling assays and transcriptomic analysis. The role will elucidate how components of the coagulation cascade modulate inflammatory cell signalling, with a view to developing novel therapeutic approaches.
Other objectives and duties of the post are:
Work under the direction of the PI to fulfil project goals.
Work with and assist junior lab staff members to achieve project objectives.
Comply with statutory legislation and department rules and requirements in furtherance of your own and general staff welfare and safety.
Undergo programmes of training and development as may be required from time to time.
Representing the best interests of the Department/College at all times.
Qualifications – (Essential):
A PhD in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry/Genetics/Immunology or related biological subject.
Knowledge & Experience – ( Essential: )
Relevant experience using molecular and cellular techniques to explore crosstalk between the coagulation and inflammation pathways.
Relevant experience with some or all of the experimental methods including - cell-based coagulation assays, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, recombinant protein production, cell signalling assays and transcriptomic analysis.
The ideal candidate would be self‑motivated, creative and highly competent, as demonstrated by first‑author publications in recognised scientific journals in relevant topics.
Experience in haemostasis, vascular biology, or immunology would be advantageous, but not essential.
Research Methods : Techniques and experimental methods outlined above
Communication Skills: Proven ability to communicate complex ideas.
Project Management Skills: Ability to ensure that project plans are communicated and that all timelines are met.
Self‑starter with the ability to work as part of a team: Ability to operate effectively as part of a team – is supportive, adaptable, and considerate in interactions with others; shares work and information; establishes rapport, can influence and develop effective networks.
I.T. skills: Knowledge of MS Office suite.
Conscientious: Have a pro‑active approach to work, anticipating and resolving problems in advance; have keen attention to detail - from anticipating and addressing issues in advance to understanding requests and delivering quality work with minimal errors.
Flexibility : Can operate flexibly within a busy environment; can shift focus when required.
Customer Focus : Have strong customer service skills. Be able to communicate with a high level of initiative, tact, diplomacy and confidentiality.
Motivated : Display a ‘can‑do’ attitude, be committed to RCSI ORI and its development; demonstrate enthusiasm and passion for the role.
We are all too aware that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap can sometimes stop fantastic candidates putting themselves forward, so please do submit an application – we’d love to hear from you.
Application Process
Please apply online no later than 5pm on the closing date of November 26th 2025 with your CV and Cover Letter.
Click here to read our Recruitment and Selection Policy for Researcher.
Garda vetting and occupational health review may be required for this role, depending on the nature of the duties and responsibilities. Further information will be provided during the recruitment process.
Eligibility to Work in Ireland
Visa sponsorship is available for candidates who fully meet the essential criteria of the role. Candidates who require a work permit or hosting agreement are welcome to apply.
Proof of eligibility documentation will be required at a later stage in the recruitment process. Please note that sponsorship is subject to approval by the relevant Irish authorities and role‑specific eligibility.
Employee Benefits
At RCSI, we help care for our people so they can focus on our mission to Educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health. RCSI truly goes above and beyond to support its employees, ensuring they have everything they need to thrive both personally and professionally. Here's a glimpse of the fantastic benefits available:
Health and Wellbeing:
Our Inspire Programme promotes the importance of taking care of both our general health and mental health. Inspire manages the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offered through SpectrumLife. Past events held by Inspire have included, workshops on mindfulness practices, yoga, nutritional advice, financial advice on mortgages, pensions & health insurance from leading experts, fitness challenges, baking competitions, weight loss programmes, annual flu vaccination campaign and many more.
You can also enjoy access to an onsite gym for just €10 per month.
Maintaining a healthy work‑life balance is crucial for fostering employee well‑being, productivity, and overall satisfaction. At RCSI, we offer flexible working arrangements, study leave, and career breaks. In addition to 20 days of annual leave, employees receive an extra 6.5 days of university privilege days, which occur annually around the Christmas and Easter breaks.
Family Benefits:
RCSI offers enhanced family leave to our working parents with fully paid Maternity, Adoptive, Paternity and Surrogacy Leave. We also offer the first two weeks of Parents leave fully paid for, as well as the option to take Parental Leave until your child is 18 years old. We provide access to Platform 55, a new Parents Platform to support staff before, during, and after becoming a parent. We also offer flexible working, discounted Giraffe crèche services of up to 20% and a Parents and Carers’ Network.
Benefit from automatic enrolment in a pension scheme with Willis Towers Watson with the employer contributions increasing with your length of service, Death in Service of up to 4 times your salary, long‑term illness and disability income replacement, and free advice on health, motor, and home insurance.
Discounted Services:
Avail of discounted GP services, Taxsaver commuter tickets, the BiketoWork scheme, free eye tests at the National Optometry Centre, and discounted parking at St. Stephen's Green/RCSI car park.
Recognition:
At RCSI, we value and recognise the contributions of our staff through various awards and events, such as Long Service recognition, the Vice Chancellor Staff Awards, and through Research Day.
Professional Growth:
RCSI’s Staff Learning and Development is committed to providing colleagues with opportunities and support to help them reach their full potential and thrive at work. Offerings include a comprehensive programme of staff training, management and leadership development, mentoring, coaching and funding support for further study.
Staff Networks:
Additionally, we support a range of staff networks, including the Women’s Network, Postdoctoral Staff Network, Parents & Carers’ Network, Project Manager’s Network, LGBTI+ Network, Age Friendly Network etc. These networks help RCSI to foster a sense of community and inclusivity.
Sports and Social Club:
Engage in a variety of activities such as Yoga, Pilates and a variety of different Fitness classes. Enjoy social evenings, Book Clubs, Summer BBQs and one‑off events like the Taste of Dublin, Bloom, Dublin Horse Show and Dublin Zoo. We also have a variety of discount tickets for shows and events through the year.
Note: This job description may be subject to change to reflect the evolving requirements of the Department and RCSI. Similar vacancies that arise in the next 6 months may be filled from the pool of applicants that apply for this position. RCSI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or race. RCSI is committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across everything we do. This ensures we can all work and learn in an environment defined by dignity and respect. Eligibility to work in Ireland is a requirement of this role, Proof of eligibility documentation will be required at a later date. Under limited and specific circumstances (research/ specialist roles) RCSI may be in a position to seek a hosting agreement and/or work permits. Employees are required to undertake 6 months service in their current role before applying for other internal opportunities, unless agreed in advance by the SMT representative

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