Research Associate Neurodegenerative Diseases - University of Cambridge

Vacancy Reference Number

ZE17189

Closing Date

2 Dec 2018

Salary

£32,236 to £39,609

Address

Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge

Duration

Fixed term until 1 February 2022

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate to join the team of Dr Emmanouil Metzakopian, in the newly established UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) Centre at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge UK to work on CRISPR screening and single cell analysis of iPSC-derived neurons.

The mission of the UK DRI at the University of Cambridge, is to create a collaborative, inter-disciplinary Centre, combining world-leading expertise unique to Cambridge from chemistry, biophysics and structural biology with internationally leading research in the cell biology of neurodegeneration. This environment will enable creative and innovative approaches to the study of neurodegenerative disease and drive a gear change in our scientific understanding.

The scientific focus of the Centre is on understanding mechanisms involved in the earliest stages of neurodegenerative disease in order, ultimately, to deliver therapeutic targets with the greatest potential to prevent dementia. Three Foundation programmes led by DRI professors are complemented by three new programmes led by DRI Fellows (including Dr. Metzakopian) to develop this field.

We are now looking for a postdoctoral research associate to join the laboratory of Dr. Emmanouil Metzakopian. The focus of the Metzakopian lab is on insights into novel neuroprotective mechanisms in neurodegeneration that provide new targets for treatments of these disorders.

The project is funded by Open Targets, as a joint venture between Dr. Metzakopian at the UK DRI and Open Targets partners including the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the European Bioinformatics Institute, GSK, Biogen, Takeda, Cellgene and Sanofi. The aim is to identify and validate therapeutic targets for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders with a known genetic basis, by comparing molecular profiles of disease states to the response profiles of drugs and gene knockouts using CRISPR-Cas9. This study leverages substantial genetic and functional resources within Open Targets.

Education to PhD level in a relevant subject is required.  Knowledge of techniques in cell and molecular biology is essential although training in all relevant techniques will be provided. 

To learn more about Open Targets please visit: www.opentargets.org

For further enquiries please contact: em698@medschl.cam.ac.uk

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 1 February 2022 in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/19307. This will take you to the role on the University’s Job Opportunities pages. There you will need to click on the 'Apply online' button and register an account with the University's Web Recruitment System (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Closing date: 2nd December 2018

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including e-mail address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager

Please quote reference ZE17189 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Contact Details

em698@medschl.cam.ac.uk