Postdoctoral Researcher in Microbial Genomics & Antimicrobial Resistance Full-Time 12 Month Contract
Postdoctoral Researcher in Microbial Genomics and Antimicrobial Resistance (Full-Time, 12 Months Fixed Term Contract)
Applications are invited for a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher to join a Health Research Board-funded project: Vancomycin-resistant and vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium from multiple Irish hospitals and from veterinary sources – a multi-institute population analysis study.
The successful candidate will be based within the Division of Oral Biosciences at Dublin Dental University Hospital and will work day to day with the Principal Investigator, the project’s PhD researcher and other research and technical staff within the Division. They will form part of the Hospital’s wider microbiology research environment, with access to established laboratory facilities and expertise in microbiology, infection prevention and control, molecular biology and microbial genomics. The candidate will also work closely with the project’s co-applicants and collaborators across the participating clinical, academic and veterinary institutions.
This multi-institutional study will investigate the population structure, genetic diversity, antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and transmission pathways of vancomycin-resistant and vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium (VREfm/VSEfm) in Ireland using an integrated One Health approach. The programme incorporates human healthcare, veterinary and environmental sources and combines whole-genome sequencing, molecular epidemiology, mobile genetic element analysis and diagnostic development.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will lead the establishment of core sampling, laboratory and bioinformatics workflows during the initial phase of the project, coordinating isolate collection across participating sites, laboratory processing, sequencing, genomic analysis and data management, and mentoring and supporting the onboarding of the associated PhD. researcher. This is a 12-month appointment aligned with the initial phase of the HRB programme. The researcher will have opportunities to contribute to publications and other outputs arising from the wider programme.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
A PhD in microbiology, molecular microbiology, microbial genomics, molecular epidemiology, bioinformatics or a closely related discipline.
Relevant research experience in bacterial genomics, molecular microbiology, antimicrobial resistance or a related field.
Experience of bacterial whole-genome sequencing and/or analysis of bacterial genomic data.
Appropriate experience in molecular biology and/or microbiological laboratory techniques.
Experience analysing and interpreting complex scientific datasets.
Evidence of research productivity appropriate to career stage, including scientific publications and/or conference presentations.
Excellent scientific writing and communication skills.
Strong organisational and project-management skills.
Ability to work independently and take responsibility for defined areas of a research programme.
Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research team.
Desirable Criteria
Experience in any of the following would be considered advantageous:
Working with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria or healthcare-associated pathogens.
Working with Enterococcus faecium, enterococci or related Gram-positive organisms.
Experience with Illumina short-read sequencing, with Oxford Nanopore sequencing and/or hybrid genome assembly.
Experience with bacterial population genomics and phylogenetic analysis.
Experience analyzing plasmids, transposons or other mobile genetic elements as well as antimicrobial resistance gene detection and interpretation.
Familiarity with Linux/Unix environments, command-line bioinformatics and reproducible analysis workflows.
Experience using R, Python or another relevant programming/scripting language.
Experience in clinical, diagnostic or public-health microbiology.
Experience working on multicenter research projects.
Experience developing SOPs and quality-controlled research workflows.
Previous experience supervising or training postgraduate researchers or laboratory staff.
Salary Range: €47,273 to €53,925 per year.
Closing Date for Applications is Thursday 24th September 2026 at 12 noon.
Interviews for shortlisted applicants will take place Monday 5th October 2026.
Interested candidates should submit a Cover Letter together with a copy of their Curriculum Vitae via Hirehive by clicking here.
Please contact HR@dental.tcd.ieif you require a full job description.
Please note: all job offers are subject to References, Garda Vetting, Pre-Employment Medical and HSEland Training.
Dublin Dental University Hospital is an equal opportunities employer.