PhD Opportunities in Viral Vector Manufacturing, CRISPR Screening, Glycoengineering and Process Analytics National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training in Ireland

Three PhD positions are open in the TRANS-AM collaboration, a 5-year research programme involving the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), University College Dublin (UCD), and APC-VLE. The projects sit at the intersection of gene therapy, viral vector manufacturing, rAAV, CRISPR screening, glycoengineering, process analytics, bioprocessing, and biotechnology.

Project 1 focuses on CRISPR library screening to identify endogenous HEK293 genes that affect AAV production, with supervision from Prof. Niall Barron and Assoc. Prof. Colin Clarke. Project 2 is about improving rAAV safety through glycoengineering, supervised by Dr Ioscani Jiménez del Val. Project 3 develops process analytical technologies (PAT) for monitoring AAV production, supervised by Dr Jonathan Bones. The projects combine wet-lab biology, cell culture, molecular biology, analytical science, and data analysis, and are designed for candidates interested in translational research with real-world therapeutic impact.

Funding is stated as an annual stipend of €25,000 plus fees for 4 years. The post indicates that successful candidates will be based at either NIBRT or UCD and may spend time at the industrial partner. Applicants should have, or expect to receive, an upper second-class or first-class degree in a relevant discipline, with backgrounds such as cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioanalytical science, or chemical engineering especially relevant. Experience in mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, statistical analysis, multivariate statistics, or data modelling is advantageous.

How to apply varies by project: Project 1 and Project 3 applicants should email a cover letter/motivation statement, CV, and academic referee details to [email protected]. Project 2 applicants should upload a cover letter, CV, and motivation letter through the linked Google Form before 31/05/2026. Informal enquiries can be sent to the listed supervisor emails.