Post-Doctoral Researcher (Integrative Biologist) - APC Microbiome Ireland University College Cork in Ireland

University College Cork is recruiting a Post-Doctoral Researcher (Integrative Biologist) to join the Microbe2Mind Initiative at APC Microbiome Ireland, led by Prof. John F. Cryan. This is a full-time, 24-month fixed-term research post with the possibility of extension for up to 5 years subject to continued funding and satisfactory performance.

The successful researcher will take intellectual and experimental ownership of the integrative biology strand of Microbe2Mind, designing and running experiments across biological scales to uncover causal mechanisms linking microbial states to host physiology, brain function, and behaviour. The work focuses on how microbial, immune, endocrine, circadian, and neural systems interact to shape brain–body phenotypes, and how perturbations such as chronic psychosocial stress, systemic inflammation, and circadian disruption alter these communication pathways.

This is a highly interdisciplinary role combining systems physiology, host–microbe biology, and multi-modal phenotyping with metabolomic, immune, endocrine, and behavioural approaches. The post will involve close collaboration with researchers in experimental immunology, systems neuroscience, microbiome science, and computational biology, with the goal of integrating findings to identify mechanisms of brain–body communication.

The position is especially well suited to an experimental biologist with broad expertise in systems physiology, host–microbe interactions, metabolomics, and/or immune and endocrine biology, together with strong quantitative skills and an interest in integrative approaches. Excellent experimental, analytical, organisational, and communication skills are essential. The role also requires the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment. Relevant animal research will be conducted in line with Directive 2010/63/EU and Irish legislation.

Eligibility requires a PhD or equivalent in Biological sciences and 1–4 years of research experience. UCC notes that it is an accredited research organisation and can form hosting agreements with third-country nationals and non-EEA nationals for research purposes. Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

Funding is provided through the postdoctoral salary scale at €47,273–€53,925 per annum. The post is full-time (39 hours per week) and is based at University College Cork, Ireland, within the APC Microbiome Ireland research environment.

Applicants should submit materials online via the UCC vacancy portal. The application deadline is 24 September 2026 at 12:00 noon (Irish local time). Informal enquiries may be directed to Prof. John F. Cryan at [email protected] or Dr. Lamya’a M. Dawud at [email protected]. Further information about the hiring unit is available at APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork.