Colin Clarke

The Transformation of Advanced Medicines Manufacture (TRANS-AM) programme offers three fully funded PhD positions focused on overcoming manufacturing challenges in gene therapy, specifically the production and characterisation of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors. This ambitious five-year collaborative initiative is led by the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research & Training (NIBRT) and University College Dublin (UCD), in partnership with APC-VLE Ltd., a leading Irish industrial partner. The programme integrates academic excellence with industrial relevance, providing students with a multidisciplinary research environment and opportunities for industrial placements. Gene therapies represent a rapidly growing field with the potential to treat and cure a range of life-altering diseases. However, the sector faces significant challenges in scaling up rAAV production to meet clinical and commercial demands. TRANS-AM aims to develop innovative solutions to enable scalable, efficient, and high-quality viral vector manufacture, supporting the next generation of gene therapies. Three distinct PhD projects are available: Project 1: CRISPR Library Screening to Identify Endogenous HEK293 Genes Impacting AAV Production (Supervisors: Prof. Niall Barron, Assoc. Prof. Colin Clarke). This project uses genome-wide CRISPR screening to identify and validate genes in HEK293 cells that affect AAV yield, with training in advanced molecular biology and cell engineering techniques. Project 2: Improving rAAV Safety through Glycoengineering (Supervisor: Dr. Ioscani Jiménez del Val). This project focuses on enzymatic and genetic glycan remodelling to reduce immunogenicity of rAAV vectors, combining enzyme catalysis, cell culture, and data analytics. Project 3: Process Analytical Technology Applications for Monitoring AAV Production (Supervisor: Dr. Jonathan Bones). This project develops process analytical technologies (PAT) for real-time monitoring and control of AAV production in bioreactors, involving spectroscopic tools, automated sampling, and multivariate data analysis. Successful candidates will be based at NIBRT or UCD in Dublin, with access to world-class research infrastructure and training. The programme is ideal for ambitious, innovative individuals with backgrounds in biotechnology, bioengineering, molecular biology, biochemistry, analytical science, or related fields. Applicants should hold or expect a high 2.1 or 1.1 degree in a relevant discipline. Experience in mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, or data analytics is advantageous but not essential. Strong motivation, teamwork, and communication skills are required. Funding includes a €25,000 annual stipend plus tuition fees for four years, supported by Research Ireland (23/SP/12173). The application deadline is August 31, 2026. For Project 2, apply via the provided Google Forms link; for Projects 1 and 3, email your application to [email protected]. Informal enquiries can be directed to the relevant supervisors by email. For more information, visit the FindAPhD project page or the APC-VLE Ltd. website .