Job ID: 102546

Postdoctoral research position at Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and Tallaght University Hospital – Psychedelics in Depression

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 21 February 2023

Contract Length: 2 years

City: Dublin

Country: Ireland

Institution: Trinity College Dublin

Department: Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience

Description:

We are inviting applications for a 2-year HRB-funded postdoctoral researcher position at Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and Tallaght University Hospital to work on a translational project investigating the Immuno-modulatory and Antidepressant effects of Psychedelics in Depression.
Major Depressive Disorder is a significant contributor to the overall global burden of disease.
It affects about 5% of the population. Although the underlying causes are complex and diverse, an imbalance of the immune system is associated with some aspects of depression. Psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), dimethyltryptamine (DMT)), when given with psychological support, have been shown to have therapeutic benefits for a range of disorders that are characterised by restricted and/or maladaptive patterns of thought and behaviour.
The 4-year pre-clinical component of the project will explore the peripheral and central immuno-modulatory mechanisms underpinning the effects of psychedelics. The effects of psychedelics on sustained depression and anxiety-like behaviours and immune signalling will be further investigated using an immune challenge rodent model. The overlapping human component of the project will explore the immuno-modulatory action of psychedelics on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in people with Major Depressive Disorder and healthy controls.
The two-year postdoctoral researcher will work as part of a team led by Andrew Harkin
(https://www.tcd.ie/research/profiles/?profile=aharkin) and John R. Kelly
(https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=nfMU5PUAAAAJ&hl=en) and will be involved in
blood analysis, psychometric data collection, and dissemination.
The two-year position is funded by the HRB. Candidates should have a PhD and a track-record of peer-reviewed publications, together with good statistical training, and excellent communication skills. The project is ideal for candidates with prior experience with handling biosamples (e.g., human blood), and techniques including PBMC isolation, cell culture, wet laboratory techniques such as PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry.
Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience offers a world-class collaborative and interdisciplinary intellectual environment, where the candidate will be supported in the acquisition of a wide range of skills that will foster long-term career development. There will be networking and collaboration opportunities with the wider Depression Research Group (https://www.tcd.ie/medicine/psychiatry/research/depression/), industry partners Transpharmation (https://www.transpharmation.com/) and the clinical site at the Department of Psychiatry in Tallaght University Hospital.
The salary is €40,760 per annum.
Interested applicants should send a CV and cover letter including a personal statement and
full contact information for two references to kellyjr@tcd.ie or aharkin@tcd.ie.