Fully Funded PhD Scholarship: CRISPR Library Screening for AAV Production – Ireland
🏥 About NIBRT & UCD
Applications are open for a PhD CRISPR AAV Production Ireland position at the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) in collaboration with University College Dublin (UCD). This position is part of the TRANS-AM research program focused on transforming advanced medicines manufacture. NIBRT is a global centre of excellence providing training and research solutions to the global biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
Start Date: September 1, 2026
🎯 Scholarship Overview
🔗 Research Project
Gene therapies are a type of advanced medicine that represent exciting possibilities to treat and potentially cure many life-altering and life-threatening diseases. Many of these are based on using recombinant Adeno-associated virus (rAAV) as a delivery vector.
A strategy that has proven very successful in identifying the genetic basis of various cellular phenotypes is the use of CRISPR library screens. These can be either to knockout the genes expressed in a cell or to activate the expression of silent genes. The advantage is that it is relatively unbiased and has the potential to target every gene in the genome.
This PhD CRISPR AAV Production Ireland project will use this strategy to screen a suspension-adapted HEK293 cell line for genes that contribute to or inhibit the production of AAV gene therapy vectors.
📋 Aims & Objectives
- Use a human CRISPR/guide RNA library to create a HEK293 cell population where every gene has been targeted for deletion
- Select a sub-population of cells with the highest and lowest level of AAV production
- Sequence this population to identify which guide RNAs are enriched, thereby identifying their target genes
- Validate the most impactful genes by knocking out in parental HEK293 cells
- Test AAV production yield after triple transfection
✅ Qualifications
Required
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Upper 2.1 or 1.1 degree in Biological Sciences or related discipline |
| Background | Cell biology or molecular biology |
| Skills | Ability to work as part of a team, strong interest in applied research |
| Personal | Motivation to learn new skills, excellent written and oral skills |
Desirable
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Training | Will be provided in advanced methods in cell and molecular biology |
🔬 Research Environment
The successful candidate will be based in NIBRT/UCD and will also spend some time on placements with industrial partner APC-VLE Ltd.
NIBRT features:
- 8,300 m² facility
- Over 100 employees
- Fully operational pilot plants for biologics manufacturing
- Multiple research laboratories focused on biopharmaceuticals manufacturing
- Dedicated facility for early-stage development of biologics and advanced therapy products
UCD is Ireland’s largest university with:
- Almost 25,000 students
- Almost 7,000 postgraduate students
- Almost 2,000 PhD students
💼 What They Offer
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Start Date | September 1, 2026 |
| Location | Dublin, Ireland |
| Stipend | €25,000 per annum |
| Fees | Included |
| Hours | 35 hours per week |
📝 How to Apply
Required Documents:
- Cover letter (including motivation statement outlining why you wish to do a PhD and why you are suited to this project)
- CV
- Contact details for academic referees
📧 Send the documents to: careers@nibrt.ie
📧 Informal Enquiries: niall.barron@nibrt.ie
📅 Application Deadline: August 15, 2026 – 17:00 (Europe/Dublin)
Useful Links
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