Research Assistant in the neuromodulation of dopamine transmission in health and Parkinson’s disease

Vacancy Reference Number

154109

Closing Date

23 Nov 2021

Salary

£29,614 - £35,326 per annum

Address

Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford

Duration

Fixed term post until 31/10/2024

The Cragg Group at the University of Oxford have received a major funding award from the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Initiative (https://parkinsonsroadmap.org/) for a new multi-centre team collaboration for research into the neuroscience of Parkinson’s disease. The team will become part of a global ASAP-funded network of scientists, a multidisciplinary effort to transform research into Parkinson’s by promoting open and collaborative science at all stages of discovery.  We are now seeking to appoint a Research Assistant to work as part of this exciting collaboration.

The successful candidate will become a member of the Cragg group and will assist with studies to elucidate dopamine transmission, its regulation and dysregulation by circuits of the striatum and related signaling molecules in mouse brain. There will be a focus on studying dopamine neurotransmission using real-time methods like fast-scan cyclic voltammetry and imaging of fluorescent reporters, in brain slices in mouse models of Parkinson’s disease. The candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate on projects with the Cragg Group’s internal and external collaborators and other members of the Group. The candidate will have responsibility for conducting, analyzing and interpreting scientific data generated from experiments, ensuring that the data are of the highest quality, and will also be required to assist with general laboratory management and administration.

In addition to having, or nearing completion of, a first degree in a relevant science, candidates should have laboratory experience and some knowledge of the field of neuroscience. The candidate should also be able to manage their own research and administrative activities. The candidate needs experience of following and adapting protocols and selecting appropriate experimental methodologies. Experience of working with mice is desirable.

The post holder will work in the Group led by Professor Stephanie Cragg, and will be based at the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT.

The post is available immediately. The post is a fixed-term post funded by ASAP.  

Informal enquiries can be addressed to Stephanie.cragg@dpag.ox.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications is midday on Tuesday 23rd November.

Interviews are likely to be held the week of 6th December.

Applications are particularly welcome from women, black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.