Institute of Technology Tallaght Project Scientist Positions at MiCRA Biodiagnostics TOXOR Biosensor Technology
TOXOR is a biosensor concept involving the integration of living cells and electrode-based sensors to electronically monitor the well-being of the cells on exposure to chemicals and toxic agents. It paves the way for a miniaturised chemical toxicity analyser with a capacity to perform a toxicity assessment on water samples without the intervention of laboratory equipment. TOXOR measures the cytotoxic effects of toxic chemicals and water towards relevant biological cells therefore gives a more precise measure of the toxicity risk that such water poses to aquatic and human health. The biosensor in the system detects and quantifies changes in the metabolic state of cells by monitoring their cellular enzymes. In field use TOXOR will eventually record sampling time and location in addition to toxicity data, and utilise wireless and database technologies to assist in follow-up and remedial action which may include further testing in laboratories. It is envisaged that TOXOR shall be developed to support rapid screening tests from the Water, Pharma, Fish and Food processing industries.
TOXOR is collaboration between two Technology Gateways; MiCRA Biodiagnostics (Institute of Technology Tallaght) and TEC Nimbus - Embedded Systems (Cork Institute of Technology). The R&D considers the technical issues associated with existing technology; exhausting live fish, time consuming (approx. weeks to achieve results), environmentally and ethically questionable, and not cost effective. TOXOR is aimed at the indicative toxicity testing market as a low cost, robust sensor targeting environmental consultancies, contract research organisations, and toxicity test manufacturers. TOXOR is funded under the Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund Programme and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under Ireland’s European Structural and Investment Funds Programmes 2014-2020.
MiCRA Biodiagnostics is one of Ireland’s industry-led Technology Gateways concerned with prototyping and manufacturing processes for chemical and biological sensors, materials testing and contract research services. MiCRA is funded under Enterprise Ireland’s Technology Gateway programme. The facility has a strong and growing portfolio of applied research, making knowledge and expertise accessible to local and national industry. The remit of the facility concerns the advancement of the next generation of chemical and biological sensor technologies in collaboration with industry and technology partners. MiCRA’s sensor technologies are being applied to analytical problems in dairy processing and food production, agriculture and water quality assessment, human and veterinary diagnostics, and aseptic manufacture. MiCRA is supported by state-of-the-art surface science and electrochemical instrumentation, cell culture, Class II biosafety and microbiology/biochemistry laboratories, prototype fabrication and research facilities provided under the HEA PRTLI Cycle 4 (€9.2M) research funding.
For informal discussions and technical information concerning the TOXOR project contact: Dr Baljit SINGH, MiCRA Biodiagnostics 00 353 (01) 404 2033; Baljit.Singh @ittdublin.ie
For information on MiCRA Biodiagnostics, see www.micra.ie or contact: Dr Karl CROWLEY, MiCRA Biodiagnostics 00 353 (01) 404 2084; [email protected]
Please complete application form available at http://www.it-tallaght.ie/CurrentVacancies and return together with a covering letter to [email protected] Closing date for all applications by post: 17:00 on 24th October 2017
IT Tallaght is an Equal Opportunities Employer Institute of Technology Tallaght
Job Specification Position 1: Bioassay Development Scientist (MiCRA Biodiagnostics) (Contract Post for 12 months with possible extension by a further 12 months)
MiCRA Biodiagnostics has an exciting research position for a Bioassay Development Scientist to work on the development of TOXOR Biosensor Technology: Application to Water Industry Toxicity Testing. The role requires a dedicated and creative scientist with practical knowledge in cell culture o r analytical microbiology. The bioassay developer will be involved in the development of TOXOR; preparation and characterisation of functionalised polymer surfaces for the immobilisation of relevant cell lines, integration of living cells with electrode-based sensors for designing electronic toxicity assays for environmental water analysis. The scientist will assist in the characterisation and development of fish-cell bioreactor. Studies on appropriate fish-cell lines and evaluation of new techniques for cell bioreactor longevity for use in water toxicity measurements and biosensor correlations with a standard method. Analytical performance studies to include toxicity test evaluation. The bioassay scie ntist is expected to work closely with project team, gateway staff and collaborators to advan ce TOXOR technology.
Required Experience
The role would be suitable for preferably a qualified PhD researcher in cell culture or microbiology with a minimum of 1-year relevant postdoctoral research experience. Alternatively candidates should have a minimum of a Masters’ degree with more than 6-year experience in cell-based bioanalysis or biosciences discipline. Previous research work on bioassays or diagnostic development experience with industry involvement would be desirable. Practical handling and working experience with fish-cell lines or cytotoxicity assessment/testing would be considered as an advantage. Experience with, or an understanding of, the use of microfluidics systems/mechanisms in chemical or bio-sensor technologies.
The job description is not intended to be complete or limiting. The role of the bioassay scientist requires a creative and flexible approach to support an innovative biosensor technology programme.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Design, characterisation and fabrication of polymer and functionalised surfaces for the selective immobilisation of relevant cell lines. Investigations on reagent system, appropriate enzyme and substrate selection and associated stability testing. Bioreactor investigations; including appropriate fish-cell lines and basic cell longevity studies.
Designing electronic fish-cell IC50 toxicity assays for environmental water analysis. Demonstration of the utility of cell bioreactor; evaluation of the bioreactor against a standard microwell methodology. Assessment of analytical, physical and toxicity data for water industry relevant tests. Assisting in integration of cell bioreactor with electronic sensors – basic microfluidics- sensor prototypes. Working sensor prototype with correlated analytical performance data. TOXOR system optimisation; reuse and longevity issues, long-term storage, biological and chemical stability are paramount for the implementation of the TOXOR technology. Contribute to the advancement of ideas for TOXOR biosensor technology which may require market research, invention disclosure or patent writing. Engage with potential partners to aid the commercialisation of TOXOR technology. Produce presentations/technical report updates to the project team, partners and funding agency.
Salary €42,394 p.a. Institute of Technology Tallaght Job Specification Position 2: Sensor Development Scientist (MiCRA Biodiagnostics) (Contract Post for 12 months with possible extension by a further 12 months)
MiCRA Biodiagnostics has an exciting research position for a Sensor Development Scientist: Design and engineering work on electrochemical sensors and fluidics for development of TO XOR Biosensor Technology: Application to water industry toxicity testing. The role requires an enthusiastic and creative scientist with practical knowledge and experience in electrochemical sensor development. TOXOR has a fish-cell bioreactor in a fluidic line with an array of electrode-based sensors which detect and quantify enzyme reaction products and assess the metabolism of living cells before and after exposure to water-borne toxic agents. The scientist will be involved in the development of TOXOR; “response-critical” sensor components of TOXOR - enzyme-responsive sensor and detection of oxygen metabolism, integration of electronic sensors with a bioreactor – basic microfluidics-sensor prototypes. Sensor optimisation and working prototype with correlated analytical performance for water analysis. The Sensor scientist is expected to work closely with the project team, gateway staff and collaborators to advance TOXOR Technology.
Required Experience
The role would be suitable for preferably a qualified PhD researcher in electrochemistry or electrochemical sensor development with a minimum of 1-year relevant postdoctoral research experience. Alternatively candidates should have a minimum of Masters’ degree with more than 6-year experience in electrochemistry or electrochemical sensor development. A background in electrochemistry and knowledge of electrode based systems is necessary. Practical know-how of polymer materials, electrode printing techniques and laser machine fabrication would be considered as an advantage. Experience with, or an understanding of, the use of microbiological techniques and microfluidics systems in sensor development is desirable.
The job description is not intended to be complete or limiting. The role of the sensor scientist requires a creative and flexible approach to support an innovative TOXOR technology programme. Main Duties & Responsibilities
Development and evaluation of sensor components of TOXOR: enzyme-responsive sensor and a sensor for oxygen metabolism monitoring. Evaluation and collation of performance data on sensors for operation in the TOXOR system. Microfluidics-sensor prototype construction and water-sample analysis. Sample and reagent handling aspects and sequences for rapid toxicity testing. Calibration, sensitivity and time-to-result assessments. Design considerations for sample high-throughput and multiplexing strategies. Assessment of fluidics designs for sensor and bioreactor components and basic microfluidics engineering challenges. Studies on mechanisms for fluidics sequences associated with sample, bioreactor and sensor operations. The two items below are descriptions there is no action associated with them ??? The reliability of the electrodes system which make up the sensor component of TOXOR technology. Working sensor prototype with correlated analytical performance data. Understanding of manual operation principles to translate into automated sequences for sample-reagent-bioreactor function to the actuation of electronic sensors. Review of TOXOR as a strip-and-meter and in-line sensor technology. Contribute to the advancement of ideas for TOXOR biosensor technology such as market research, invention disclosure or patent writing. Engage with potential partners to aid the commercialisation of TOXOR technology. Produce presentations/ technical report updates to the project team, partners and funding agency.
Salary €42,394 p.a. Institute of Technology Tallaght MiCRA Biodiagnostics Application Form 1. Bioassay Development Scientist 2. Sensor Development Scientist
Closing Date - 17:00 on 24th October 2017
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