Oral Microbiome Postdoctoral Research Fellow

SCHOOL OF DENTAL SCIENCE, TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN &

DUBLIN DENTAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Fixed-Term Three Year Contract / Full-Time

The Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH) is seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Problem-Based Learning Tutor for the Division of Oral Biosciences, Dublin Dental University Hospital. This position is a fixed-term three-year contract & full-time.

This role is integral to support research into the oral microbiome in the Division of Oral Biosciences, DDUH, as well as playing an essential educational role in the support of Problem-Based Learning tutorials in Year 1 of the Dental Science undergraduate degree programme (approx. 120 hours per year).

The appointee will ultimately report to the Head of the Division of Oral Biosciences, but will report to Prof. Gary Moran on a day-to-day basis. Overall post management is undertaken by the Executive team of the DDUH comprising the CEO, Dean and Clinical Director.

The role is based in the Dublin Dental University Hospital and School of Dental Science, Trinity College Dublin, situated at Lincoln Place on the main TCD campus. The successful candidate will be involved in a research project investigating the role of the oral microbiome in the development of oral malignancies using metagenomics and culturomic approaches. They will also coordinate other ongoing microbiome research projects in the laboratory.

Further information on the Oral Microbiomegroup in the DDUH can be found in our recent publications:

Galvin S, Honari B, Anishchuk S, Healy CM, Moran GP., Oral Leukoplakia Microbiome Predicts the Degree of Dysplasia and is Shaped by Smoking and Tooth Loss., Oral Diseases, 31, (6), 2025 DOI.
Crowley C, Selvaraj A, Hariharan A, Healy CM, Moran GP., Fusobacterium nucleatumsubsp. polymorphumrecovered from malignant and potentially malignant oral disease exhibit heterogeneity in adhesion phenotypes and adhesin gene copy number, shaped by inter-subspecies horizontal gene transfer and recombination-derived mosaicism., Microbial genomics, 10, (3), 2024 DOI.
Selvaraj A, McManus G, Healy CM, Moran GP, Fusobacterium nucleatuminduces invasive growth and angiogenic responses in malignant oral keratinocytes that are cell line- and bacterial strain-specific., Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2024 DOI.
Galvin, Sheila, Anishchuk, Sviatlana, Healy, Claire M., Moran, Gary P., Smoking, tooth loss and oral hygiene practices have significant and site-specific impacts on the microbiome of oral mucosal surfaces: a cross-sectional study, Journal of Oral Microbiology, 15, (1), 2023, p2263971 DOI.
Winning L, Moran G, McClory M, El Karim I, Lundy FT, Patterson CC, Linden D, Cullen KM, Kee F, Linden GJ., Subgingival microbial diversity and respiratory decline: A cross-sectional study., Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 50, (7), 2023, p921 - 931 DOI
Elmaghrawy K, Fleming P, Fitzgerald K, Cooper S, Dominik A, Hussey S, Moran GP., The Oral Microbiome in Treatment-Naïve Paediatric IBD Patients Exhibits Dysbiosis Related to Disease Severity that Resolves Following Therapy., Journal of Crohn's & colitis, 17, (4), 2023, p553-564 DOI.

Qualifications, Experience & Person Specification

The successful applicant must have:

Have a PhD in Molecular Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics or a related subject.
Have experience of processing next generation sequencing data and other datasets.
Have some experience in bioinformatics (WGS or Metagenomics).
Be competent in the most commonly used molecular biological techniques (e.g. handling bacterial and yeast strains, PCR, Western Blotting).
Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Have experience in scientific writing and oral presentations.
Be highly motivated, self-directed and be able to work well as part of a team.

Candidates will ideally:

Have proven organisational, administrative, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Be able to identify potential difficulties and formulate solutions.
Have the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
Have the ability to work on own initiative, prioritise and manage a number of projects.
Have prior undergraduate teaching experience.

Outline of Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will undertake research projects in the field of oral microbiome research as directed by Prof. Gary Moran. The role of the Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Fellow includes, but is not limited to:

Responsibility for conducting research projects as required.
Day to day supervision of PhD, undergraduate and other associated research projects.
Maintaining accurate records of research data and writing up regular reports as requested.
Attend and present at regular meetings as required.
Draft manuscripts for publication.
Deliver regular oral presentations on research projects internally and externally
Act as a tutor for Problem Based Learning tutorials throughout the academic year (approx. 120 hours).
Performing such other research and teaching duties appropriate to the office as may be assigned to him/her by Prof. Sullivan.

The extent and speed of change in the delivery of services is such that adaptability is essential to this appointment. The person chosen will be required to maintain, enhance, and develop their professional knowledge, skills, and aptitudes necessary to respond to a changing situation. Therefore, this Job Description is an outline of the current broad areas of responsibility and accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing. It will be reviewed and updated in line with future needs.

General Information

Dublin Dental University Hospital will not be liable for travelling or other expenses incurred by candidates who may be invited to attend for interview.

Closing date for applications is Monday, 6th April 2026 at noon.

In-person interviews to be scheduled after the closing date.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Prof Derek Sullivan Head of Div IV, via email in the first instance derek.sullivan@dental.tcd.ieor Prof. Gary Moran gary.moran@dental.tcd.ie. If you wish to request a full job description, please contact Simion Tita, HR Officer simion.tita@dental.tcd.ie.

Interested candidates should submit a Cover Letter together with a copy of their Curriculum Vitae via Hirehive

Offers are subject to Garda Vetting, References, Pre-employment Medical and CPD in various HSEland Training Programmes.

The Dublin Dental Hospital is an equal opportunities employer.

Oral Microbiome Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Fixed-Term Three Year Contract & Full-Time

Job Description