Irish partnership seeks cell biologists for new food for health research programme

Moorepark Food Research Centre in partnership with University College, Cork (UCC) is embarking on a major expansion of its functional food research programme and is currently seeking to fill key positions to lead the new programme. Moorepark is a constituent of Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Ireland’s leading public agriculture and food research organisation. UCC is a leading Irish university with a strong bioscience research emphasis combining food science, nutrition and medical research expertise. The Moorepark – UCC Partnership is a leading player in research at the food/pharma interphase spanning the full range of technological, biological and medical approaches. Laboratory facilities are first class and an animal facility that will use the pig as a human model is scheduled for completion next year. The new programme will underpin the development of scientifically and clinically validated functional foods and bioactive food ingredients. The research focus will be on mechanisms and biomarkers associated with nutrient responses of the gut, including satiety and adiposity signalling and influences of the gut microflora.

The following senior permanent posts are now being filled by open competition: 1) Principle Investigator – Cell Biology/Obesity 2) Principle Investigator – Cell Biology/Satiety. Post 1 will focus on the role that food bioactive components can play in the stimulation of gut responses that impact on e.g. energy harvest and the modulation of adiposity. Post 2 will involve research on the underlying mechanisms that influence satiety and that are potential targets for nutrient-induced endocrine responses in the gut. We are seeking established scientists with experience in cell biology who have the capability to establish and lead new programmes employing the full range of modern technologies relevant to cell biology research which may include genomic, immunological, animal modelling and proteomic approaches. We would also like to hear from less experienced scientists who have demonstrated capability to assume a leadership role in the future. Senior appointees may qualify for Adjunct Professorship appointments in the School of Medicine at UCC. Appointees will join successful existing teams of scientists involved in various facets of research on functional foods, including the Alimentary Pharmabiotics Center, an internationally recognised programme of research on gut health lead by Fergus Shanahan, Professor of Medicine at UCC. The facilities available at Moorepark and UCC are first class and a particular strength is the integrated nature of the relationships between medical, biological and food scientists. The new programmes will be supported by generous long-term core funding and, in addition, there is a positive environment in Ireland for external funding, most notably from Science Foundation Ireland which has a variety of initiatives to support top scientists.

Expansion of the Moorepark - UCC programme is coming at a time when Irish public research agencies are funding several new functional food research initiatives, in support of a national strategy to build scientific and industrial capability in this area. The Moorepark – UCC Partnership is central to these initiatives which now amount to a combined public investment of close to €100m. The programme will appeal to scientists who are mission oriented and who are interested in providing the scientific platform for functional food validation and in developing the potential of functional foods in prevention of diet-related population ailments. Contact: Professor Liam Donnelly, Director of Food Research, Teagasc ([email protected]) for further information, preferably before the end of August but later applications are also welcome.