Research Associate in Circadian Biology- UK DRI (Imperial)

Vacancy Reference Number

MED01436

Closing Date

5 Jan 2020

Salary

£40,215 - £47,579 per annum inclusive of London Allowance

Address

UK DRI at Imperial, London, SW7 2AZ

Duration

2 years

About the job

Dementia is the greatest health challenge of our century.

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative supporting research to fill this gap.

The UK DRI at Imperial College London brings novel, cutting edge approaches and research tools to the study of dementia to discover new disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets. They team focus on the earliest pre-symptomatic stages of Alzheimer’s disease, addressing what determines the transition to neurodegeneration, and will investigate mechanisms that are likely shared across many of the dementias.

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.

The UK DRI is seeking an outstanding Research Associate interested in taking on a challenging role with considerable scope for independent scientific achievement and personal growth. The ideal candidate will be passionate about tackling big problems and be ready to try out high-risk, high-payoff projects. 

You will be expected to help to define specific research programmes 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, you will be expected to submit publications to refereed journals and to join in attracting external research funding.

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.

Person criteria

A PhD (or being in the final stages of completion) in neuroscience, biological sciences or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience is required.

Knowledge of in vivo/ in vitro microscopy and imaging software and of research methods and statistical procedures is also needed.

Practical experience in viral vector design and production (AAVs, LVs), IPSCs cultures, next generation RNA sequencing and other -OMICS techniques, live imaging, stereotaxic surgery and mouse behaviour (cognitive tests, sleep and circadian function) will be considered as an advantage.

Experience in circadian and sleep research is also an advantage, but it is not strictly required.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant within the salary range £35,477 - £38,566 per annum.

For more information and to apply, please click here. 

Contact Details

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr Marco Brancaccio (m.brancaccio@imperial.ac.uk) for informal discussion about the role.