Applicants are invited to study for a PhD in Bioadhesion. Developing glues that work in wet environments would be extremely useful in surgical applications. Barnacles have evolved underwater mechanisms to cement themselves to all sorts of surfaces, producing strong bonds via a multi-protein complex. The nature of this complex and its synthesis is poorly known and will be characterized during this study. Analysis of the cement apparatus will involve ultrastructure analyses and histology while investigating protein(s) composition of cements will entail protein mass analyses. Preliminary investigations of structure/function and mechanical properties of cement proteins will also be addressed.

Candidates must meet College of Science NUIG requirements i.e. either M.Sc. or B.Sc. (grade 2.1 or equivalent) in biological sciences, biomedical engineering or related disciplines. Enthusiasm for research and an ability to work independently are essential. Experience in histology, histochemistry, molecular biology or protein chemistry would be an advantage, as would a full clean driving license.

The position will involve travel between collaborating institutions. The position is for four years and is based in the laboratory of Dr Anne Marie Power, Department of Zoology, Martin Ryan Institute, NUI Galway (http://mri.nuigalway.ie), in collaboration with Dr Janek Von Byern at the Cell Imaging & Ultrastructure Research Unit, University of Vienna, Austria (http://www.univie.ac.at/cius/us/en/index.htm ) and Dr Ingo Grunwald at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology & Applied Materials Research, Bremen, Germany. The successful candidate will be expected to take part in research cruises. The project is funded by Science Foundation Ireland (Research Frontiers) and the PhD student will work closely with PhD students in Biodiscovery (Beaufort Award funded by the Marine Institute) and collaborating researchers funded by the Austrian Science Foundation.

To apply please send 2 things:

• a letter of application outlining your particular interest in the project
• a CV (this must detail grades achieved in previous degrees)

Further Scholarship Information and Application

The contact details of two referees to annemarie.power@nuigalway.ie (Tel: +353 91 493015). The deadline for receipt of applications is Thurs 20 Aug 2009.

Description:

A PhD position is available for up to four years in the Department of Genetics at Trinity College Dublin. Our laboratory is interested in how plant development is controlled by the regulation of gene expression and protein stability. The PhD thesis project will focus on the characterization of transcriptional regulation by components of the ubiquitin system in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. To this end, a combination of state-of-the-art molecular genetics and genome-wide methods such as microarray analysis and ultra high-throughput sequencing will be used. We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a strong background and interest in molecular biology and/or biochemistry and/or plant biology, who is able to work independently, but yet enjoys working in a team. The ideal applicant should have previous experience with key techniques of molecular biology and/or biochemistry and/or plant biology. Basic knowledge of bioinformatics is an advantage but not a must.

We offer excellent research conditions with state-of-the-art infrastructure in a highly dynamic and collegial environment. Trinity College (www.tcd.ie) is Ireland’s leading university with ~15,000 students, situated in the heart of Dublin city. Applicants must hold a B.Sc., M.Sc., or equivalent, as well as citizenship of an E.U. member country.

The start date for this position is October 1, 2009. Annual tax-free salary will range from €16,875 in year 1 to €19,000 in year 4. Please send a detailed CV and contact details of two referees to Dr. Emmanuelle Graciet (graciete@tcd.ie). For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Graciet or visit our website at: http://www.tcd.ie/genetics/wellmer-2/

Contact address:

Dr. Emmanuelle Graciet Smurfit Institute of Genetics Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2 Ireland

Queries and interested applicants should send a CV and letter of application to arrive no later than 22th December 2007 to:

Dr. Enda Cummins,
School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine,
Earlsfort Terrace,
University College Dublin,
Dublin 2,
Ireland.

Tel:-353-1-7167476
E-mail: Enda.Cummins@ucd.ie

Funded Masters Scholarship in the UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary MedicineÂ