Based at Dublin City University (DCU), the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (www.bdi.ie) was established in 2005 through a Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Science, Engineering & Technology (CSET) award, in addition to significant industry funding. The BDI carries out cutting-edge research focused on the development of next-generation biomedical diagnostic devices measuring indicators of disease. Our world-class research team currently includes seven industry partners (Analog Devices, J&J Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Becton Dickinson, Inverness Medical Innovations, Biosurfit and Millipore), and five clinical and academic partners including the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) in Dublin, the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES) at NUI Galway, Tyndall National Institute (TNI) in University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and the host institution at Dublin City University (DCU). Having recently secured an additional €19.1M from Science Foundation Ireland, and associated funding from our industry partners, we are now seeking applications from suitably qualified research staff to participate in our suite of exciting new research programmes commencing October 2010.

We wish to appoint a postdoctoral researcher and a PhD candidate to carry out studies of platelet function in cardiovascular diseases using “interfacial platelet cytometry” (iPC) a unique platform technology developed at the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute. The research will focus on developing novel assays to monitor the effect of anti platelet-therapies at the point of care. The final goal of the project is the integration of these assays into microfluidic devices with novel optical detection systems to produce a disposable platelet function test that will be used in a clinical setting to aid clinical decision making. Experience in molecular biology, haematology, surface chemistry and/or protein patterning will be a distinct advantage, as will a strong publication record.
If successful, you will be working within a multidisciplinary research team at the BDI, involving biologists, chemist and physicist among others and interacting with our industry partners described above. Candidates should demonstrate a proven capacity and motivation to be productive researchers. A self-starting and enthusiastic attitude, strong skills to identify and solve problems, good presentation skills and the ability to interact with a highly interdisciplinary team and our tightly linked industrial partners are essential.

Salary and contract: PhD candidate, 3 years scholarship, stipend €17,000 per year (excluding fees)
                                 Postdoctoral researcher €37,750 per year (SFI salary scale, Level 2, Point 1), 1 year full-time renewable

Enquiries: For enquires please contact Dr. Lourdes Basabe-Desmonts or Prof. Dermot Kenny by e-mail:
                 Lourdes.b.desmonts@dcu.ie, dkenny@rcsi.ie