Senior Postdoctoral Fellow - 3D Printed Tumour Models of Clinical Efficacy

Post Date : 17-Jul-2024 Close Date : 04-Aug-2024

Job Title: Senior Postdoctoral Fellow

Department: Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine

Reporting to: Dr. Caroline Curtin & Dr. Olga Piskareva

Location: Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), RCSI, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland

Contract/Duration : 2 years specified purpose contract, Full-time

Remuneration: Appointable up to Post-doctoral researcher level 2B- Point 2 of the IUA researcher salary scale (2024)

Closing Date: 4th August 2024, preferred start date of September 2024

Summary of Post

Project Title: 3D Printed Tumour Models of Clinical Efficacy

2D models do not recapitulate tumour microenvironments. In conventional 2D cell culture, cells are grown on flat surfaces such as plastic dishes, which lacks the complexity and three-dimensional (3D) structure found in actual tissues and tumours. 2D models have the following drawbacks:

Artificially increased exposure of various cell signalling molecules resulting in over expression of certain cell signalling molecules

Artificially decreased exposure of various cell signalling molecules resulting in under expression of certain cell signalling molecules

Lack of architecturally / physiologically relevant tumour architectures

To address these limitations, we propose the use of three-dimensional (3D) models, such as spheroids, organoids, and tissue-engineered constructs. These systems aim to better mimic the complexity of in vivo tumour microenvironments and provide a more accurate platform for studying cancer biology, drug responses, and therapeutic interventions.

This projects aims to:

Develop state-of-the-art, physiologically relevant, in vitro solid tumour models with improved

predictive validity of clinical efficacy:

Demonstrate the generation of tumoroid scaffolds with a high level of reproducibility for use in conventional high-throughput screening (HTS) platforms

Effectively and precisely integrate tumoroid tissue to recapitulate native tumour microenvironment (TME)

Bioinks to provide structural and functional integrity for tumour cells to generate accurate ex vivo models

Cross comparison of current 2D cell culture systems and developed tumour organoid platform for: functionality, convenience, and accuracy

This project is part of a multidisciplinary team that is exploring the use of emerging 3D Printing and 3D Bioprinting strategies for Tumour Modelling. The project is part of the Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG) based at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and the AMBER centre (https:// ambercentre.ie).

The Curtin Lab: Dr. Curtin leads a multidisciplinary research group in the Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). She is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine, a Principal Investigator in the RCSI Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG) and the Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering (TCBE), Trinity College Dublin, and a Funded Investigator in the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) National Centre for Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre at Trinity College Dublin.

Over the last eight years, Dr. Curtin has established her own independent research group, gaining an international reputation as an innovator in gene- activated natural biomaterial-based therapeutics for tissue engineering. Her research focuses on applications in the musculoskeletal field and cancer, specifically targeting prostate, breast, and lung cancers, as well as neuroblastoma. She is a past recipient of Health Research Board Investigator Led Programme Awards (2017 & 2019) and a named collaborator on a number of European Research Council Awards. Dr Curtin was named a Fellow of the Anatomical Society in 2021 and has been President of Matrix Biology Ireland (MBI) Society since 2021. More information can be found here in the job spec below.

The Piskareva Lab: Dr Olga Piskareva is a Lecturer in Biology at the Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine and Foundation Year Cycle Director. Her academic background is in Biochemistry, Cell Biology (MSc), Molecular Biology (PhD), Science Communication (MSc) and Health Profession Education (PgDip). Her experience spans from research to teaching and mentoring. As a Fulbright-HRB Health Impact Scholar Awardee, she was trained in tumour organoids methodology at Johns Hopkins University (2018/19, USA). She represented RCSI on several professional (Treasurer and Council member of the Irish Association for Cancer Research, Matrix Biology Ireland) and outreach initiatives (MCT TY Research Programme, Lab Safari, the Primary Science for Teachers Initiative). Recently, Dr Piskareva was elected as the Chair of Life and Medical Sciences Committee of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA), Ireland's foremost body of experts in the Sciences and Humanities.

Dr Piskareva established her independent Cancer Bio-Engineering research group in 2019. Her research is focused on elucidating how the tumour microenvironment works together with genetic and epigenetic changes to affect the cell behaviour of neuroblastoma, an embryonal malignancy of the sympathetic nervous system. Olga's goal is to get a systems-level understanding of information flow in the neuroblastoma microenvironment and to utilise those insights to identify targetable nodes for novel anti-cancer therapy in neuroblastoma. More information can be found here in the job spec below.

About the Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG):

The RCSI Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG) is a large multidisciplinary research group focused on the development of cell and advanced biomaterial-based strategies for the repair and regeneration of bone, cartilage, skin, cardiovascular, ocular, respiratory, neural and using biomaterials as 3D cancer model systems. In addition to the Department of Anatomy, it works closely with the School of Pharmacy and Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics (MCT) Department in RCSI and the Centre for Bioengineering in Trinity College Dublin (TCBE). It is also part of the Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research (AMBER) Centre which is focused on developing advanced next generation materials and medical devices in partnership with industry. In addition to academic collaborators, TERG has numerous clinical collaborators in specialties including orthopaedics, oncology, cardiovascular medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine.

TERG utilises biomaterials expertise to develop construct and living system technologies that can restore the structural and functional properties of damaged or degenerated tissues, whilst also trying to develop 3D cancer models that mimic the native tumour microenvironment. The successful applicant will join a dynamic, multidisciplinary lab consisting of postdoctoral researchers and PhD students based in TERG.

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 https:// 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.

Funding Information

Industry partner funded project through AMBER SFI Research Centre.

Specifically, the duties of the post are:

The successful candidate will be expected to undertake academic research under the direction of the PI and Co-PI

The successful candidate will be expected to be highly motivated to perform with a high level of independence

The successful candidate will engage and collaborate with external collaborators (e.g. academic, clinical and industry) and internal researchers within RCSI involved in the project

The candidate would be expected to carry out some lab management duties and assist in developing new modalities and efficiencies to ensure proper lab maintenance

The candidate would be expected to write scientific reports and reviews

The successful applicant may represent the labs work at national and international conferences

The candidate will work in the laboratory with researchers at various training levels and would be expected to provide training and supervision of students and other staff

Undergo appropriate training for specialised technical procedures, career training and development both in Ireland and overseas as may be required from time to time

Undertake appropriate administrative/management/leadership activities and tasks

Collaborate with other researchers within RCSI and AMBER

Ensure that all RCSI policies and procedures are adhered to

Comply with statutory legislation and RCSI rules and requirements in furtherance of your own and general staff welfare and safety

Represent the best interests of RCSI at all times

Qualifications – (Essential):

The ideal applicant will have a PhD in biomedical engineering, biomaterials, tissue engineering, materials science, 3D cancer models 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, 3D cancer models, histology techniques (Desirable)

An excellent publication record and/or development of intellectual property would be advantageous (Desirable)

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 through the RCSI careers portal on the closing date with your CV and cover letter.

Informal Enquiries can be directed to [email protected] or [email protected] Please note we do not accept CVs directly.

Click here to read our Recruitment and Selection Policy for Researcher.

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 make sure you have the resources you need to thrive. We offer a wide range of benefits in areas including time away, finance, community, health, and well-being and insuring your financial future. In addition to our city centre campus and world-class facilities, there are a wide range of excellent benefits available to our employees, including:

Onsite gym €10 per month

Flexible working arrangements

Automatic enrolment to a pension scheme for all employees (Willis Towers Watson, pension documents outlined below)

Life assurance/death in service

Long term illness/disability income replacement

Free advice on health/motor and home insurance

Discounted services, including GP

Support for parents and carers

Taxsaver commuter tickets

BiketoWork

Free eye test at the National Optometry centre

€12/day for parking for all RSCI staff in the St. Stephens green/RCSI car park

RCSI's Learning and Development team facilitate and provide training opportunities for all staff

Sports and social club

Opportunities to volunteer in the community

26.5 days leave - 20 days annual leave plus 6.5 days Privilege days - In addition to your annual leave entitlements and public holidays, RCSI also grants privilege days to our employees (paid time off during Easter and Christmas periods). We also offer a number of leave options to support the working lives of our employees.