Research Associate (Bristol)

Vacancy Reference Number

ACAD106066

Closing Date

9 Jun 2022

Salary

£34,304 - £38,587 per annum

Address

University of Bristol

Duration

Fixed term funding for 36 months

About the job

We have an exciting opportunity for an MRC-funded post-doctoral position in the Pickering group, joining a team of clinical and basic scientists studying torpor. Torpor is a remarkable adaptive and protective behaviour that many species exhibit (including mice), which produces a short-lived hibernation-like state with profound hypothermia and hypometabolism. We are interested in torpor as a model of resilience that might one day be mimicked in clinical settings to improve tolerance of organ dysfunction in critically ill patients. This project will explore the neural mechanisms that drive torpor in the mouse, the role of analogous circuits in species that do not enter torpor, and test the hypothesis that inducing synthetic torpor is protective in rodent models of critical illness.

Responsibilities

We use a range of techniques ranging from viral vector mediated opto– and chemo- genetics for circuit dissection, to in-vivo fibre photometry, ex-vivo preparations including the working heart brainstem preparation and the Langendorff beating heart preparation, as well as phenotyping approaches including multiplex RNA in-situ hybridisation. Duties will include performing recovery surgical procedures with stereotaxic injections and telemeter implantation; assays of autonomic, cardiorespiratory, and metabolic function; immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridisation with light sheet microscopy, and preparation of professional communications.

Requirements

We are looking for somebody with a PhD and experience in either neuroscience, rodent models of critical illness, or cardiorespiratory / metabolic research in rodents. Experience of single cell genetic analysis would also be of interest. We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, dynamic and effective individual to join the team working in this fast moving, translationally relevant topic.

For informal enquiries please contact Tony Pickering tony.pickering@bristol.ac.uk / Mike Ambler Mike.Ambler@Bristol.ac.uk.