Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Exercise Physiology

Reference: 036525

Employer: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine,
Trinity College Dublin

Contract: Fixed term, up to 4 years

Salary: €42,032 to €44,572

Full description
Post Summary
The Human Exercise Physiology Research Group at the Department of Physiology is seeking to appoint
a Research Fellow in Exercise Physiology. The successful candidate will work primarily on a Science
Foundation Ireland funded research project to examine the cerebrovascular dynamic responses
subsequent to high-intensity interval vs moderate-intensity continuous training in men and women with
type 2 diabetes.

Context
People with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have an increased risk for the development of cardiovascular disease,
dementia and Alzheimer’s disease than people without T2D. While exercise training is an effective
strategy to prevent cardiovascular and brain related disorders, the optimal exercise prescription for a
healthy brain in T2D is unknown. Moreover, the benefits of exercise training on the cerebrovasculature in
T2D are not well understood. This is highly relevant given that raising cerebrovascular blood flow by
exercise is associated with cardiorespiratory fitness, brain beta amyloid load and executive function in
healthy older individuals. Accordingly, the present research project will examine the effectiveness of
different intensity-specific aerobic exercise training protocols on brain circulation (measured by middlecerebral artery blood flow) and cognitive function in men and women T2D.

Standard Duties and Responsibilities of the Post
• To coordinate and participate in the recruitment and screening of hospital outpatients with type 2
diabetes, and coordinate and perform laboratory testing. Key laboratory measurements include oxygen
uptake, muscle oxygenation-deoxygenation, blood pressure and middle-cerebral artery blood flow.
• Conduct a specified programme of research and scholarship.
• Engage in appropriate training (in Ireland and in the US) and professional development
opportunities as required
• Support, the development of proposals for research funding.
• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which you are engaged.
• Engage in the wider research and scholarly activities.
• Take responsibility, as requested, for day-to-day advice and support of graduate research
students associated with the research group.
• Mentor and assist, as appropriate and as directed, the research graduate students
• Carry out administrative and management work associated with the programme of research.
• Communicate results, data interpretation and reports to the research team and relevant hospitalbased multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure that duties are carried out in a timely manner.

Funding Information
The project is funded by Science Foundation Ireland.

Person Specification
Qualifications
The appointee must have a PhD qualification in Exercise Science, Physiology, Biological Science or
other closely related fields.

Knowledge & Experience (Essential & Desirable)
• Knowledge in Exercise Physiology and/or Clinical Exercise Physiology research (Essential)
• Experience measuring and analysing cardiorespiratory, metabolic and/or vascular responses
during exercise in healthy and/or clinical populations (Desirable)
• Experience using Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (Desirable)
• Good record of peer-reviewed scientific publications within the field appropriate to career stage
(Desirable)

Skills & Competencies
• Proficient in scientific writing and spoken (in English) skills.
• Good interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, take initiative and meet deadlines.
• Flexible, committed and problem-solving attitude.
• Effective planning and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex tasks.

Application Procedure
Applicants should submit a full Curriculum Vitae to include the names and contact details of 2 referees
(Including email addresses), to: - Dr. Mikel Egaña (megana@tcd.ie)
Ensure to use EPPost-Doc and your name in the email “Subject” box.
Informal enquiries to: megana@tcd.ie

Package description
Fully pensionable position.

Vacancy website address
https://www.tcd.ie/hr/

Vacancy email address
megana@tcd.ie