UK Dementia Research Institute
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience
The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is a joint £290 million investment from the Medical Research Council (MRC), Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Centred on the need for innovative, early-stage science to advance our understanding of how dementias develop and progress, the UK DRI’s research will bring new therapies to patients faster. The Institute’s mission is to find new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent dementias, whilst finding better ways to provide care for people with dementia.
Prof Vincent Dion’s lab has recently developed a novel method to contract expanded CAG/CTG repeats using the CRISPR/Cas9 nickase, thereby correcting the mutation that causes 14 different diseases. We are seeking a passionate, hard working, and creative Research Associate (Postdoc) who will test whether our gene editing approach is applicable to spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 and to determine the effect on disease progression in vivo. In addition, the post holder will help to understand the molecular mechanisms leading to repeat contractions. The work will have important implications to the design of novel therapeutic avenues for these debilitating neurodegenerative diseases.
Note that a stay of 6 consecutive months in Philadelphia, to visit a collaborator’s lab, is planned within the first year of this project.
Expertise in molecular biology, tissue culture, including with induced pluripotent stem cells, and/or CRISPR technology are essential. Experience in behavioural assessment of disease phenotypes and/or expertise in DNA repair mechanisms are highly desirable.
This post is full time (35 hours per week), available from 1st July 2019 and fixed term until 31st August 2022.
Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
For more information and to apply, click here
