- Vacancy Reference Number
- MED00933
- Closing Date
- 3 Jan 2019
- Salary
- £37,904 – £45,547
- Duration
- 3 years
The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at Imperial has been established to address a medical research area of the highest importance and future impact. As one of six new national centres of excellence embedded in major UK universities, we intend to transform the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with dementias. The Medical Research Council and charity partners the Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK have invested £290m in fulfilment of the ambition identified in the Prime Minister's 2020 Challenge on Dementia.
Duties and responsibilities
The fellowship programme of Dr Marco Brancaccio is focused on defining the mechanisms driving circadian dysfunction in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Sleep and circadian disturbances have been recently associated with the earliest preclinical manifestations of AD, in both humans and animal models of the disease. We will investigate the molecular, cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying this association, the genetic and environmental factors driving circadian dysfunction and their specific role in the AD pathogenic cascade. The long-term goal of this project is the development of novel therapeutic approaches aimed at recruiting circadian clocks in the brain for the prevention/ early intervention of AD.
Essential requirements
The UK DRI is seeking outstanding post-doctoral researchers interested in taking on a challenging role with considerable scope for independent scientific achievement and personal growth. The ideal candidate will be ambitious, with the passion to tackle big problems and a readiness to try out high-risk, high-payoff projects. Exceptional experience in viral vector technologies (AAVs, LVs), in vivo and ex vivo live imaging, stereotaxic surgery, in vivo micro-dialysis, mouse behaviour will be considered as an advantage. Experience in circadian and sleep research is also an advantage, but it is not strictly required.
Successful candidates will be expected to help to define specific research programmes within this remit and undertake these in conjunction with colleagues in multi-disciplinary teams. Considerable independence is expected, with anticipation of a growing role in leadership of the research. In addition, the post-holder will be expected to submit publications to refereed journals and to join in attracting external research funding.
Further Information
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/description/MED00933/research-associate-circadian-biology-uk-dementia-research-institute/
Further information
There will be opportunities for supervision of students. Experience in other teaching roles, including lecturing, will be enabled as part of the broad range of career development opportunities that Imperial College makes available to its post-doctoral research staff.
The contract is fixed term for three years.
Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Marco Brancaccio for informal discussion about the role at m.brancaccio@imperial.ac.uk
Interviews are planned for the week beginning 21 January 2019
Contact Details
m.brancaccio@imperial.ac.uk
