Two postdoctoral positions in a new area of research are available in the lab, isolating and characterising new yeasts from Ireland with potential biotechnological applications.

Budding yeasts (subphylum Saccharomycotina) include more than 1000 species covering an evolutionary time span of ~400 million years. Budding yeasts have numerous biotechnological applications, from brewing and baking to production of biomolecules. This project will increase our collection of Irish yeasts (bioprospecting), identify those with potential biotechnological applications, and develop genome editing systems.

In previous work, we identified the first European isolates of Saccharomyces eubayanus, one of the parents of the lager yeast Saccharomyces pastorianus (https://academic.oup.com/femsyr/article/22/1/foac053/6874782). We will continue to explore the Irish population of S. eubayanus, and we propose to make new hybrids and potentially new beers. In addition, the project will develop gene editing systems for yeasts with biotechnological applications. We are particularly interested in studying the evolution and application of centromeres, the site of attachment of the spindle.

We are particularly interested in hiring a level 1 Postdoctoral fellow (recent PhD graduate), with a background in molecular biology and genetics of yeasts and/or fungi. An interest in genomics and evolutionary biology would be an advantage. The position is for at least 3 years.

Candidate requirements:

Applications are invited from graduates holding (or expecting to hold) PhD  in Molecular Mycology, Biotechnology, or a field relevant to Genetics, Microbiology or Genome Science. Candidates should have a record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant fields.

Application Procedure:

Applications must be made through the UCD applications portal, at https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/

Under “Search jobs for EXTERNAL applicants”, search for reference number 018629 (or look at vacancies in Biomolecular & Biomed Sci). There is a related bioinformatics position at reference 018637.

Informal requests for information can be directed to gbutler@ucd.ie

Deadline: June 27th 2025

Salary: Starting at €45,847 for new PhD graduates.