Dementia is the biggest health challenge of our century.
To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it.
The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward 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 UK DRI at Imperial is substantially expanding research into the genomics and molecular neuropathology of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Our centre is addressing a range of questions concerning body-brain interactions to mediate the influences of environment and lifestyle on disease risk. Scientists in the UK DRI are pursuing fundamental neuroscience questions with a highly translational focus, working in vitro, with preclinical models and in human studies. The environment is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary.
Several postdoctoral positions are open with Centre investigators and will be offered to outstanding scientists based on best fit of candidate skill sets and interests within the following research programmes:
Depending on the specific project pursued, post holders will gain or extend experience with a range of molecular methods for brain tissue analysis including next generation RNA sequencing, single cell or single nuclear RNA sequencing, ATAC sequencing and RNAScope and related in situ hybridisation methods. Availability of a CyTOF and imaging mass cytometer will allow observations to be related to the multivariate expression of marker proteins.
The ideal post holders will be dynamic, creative and independent scientists interested in pursuing questions deeply. Prior experience in cellular genomics methods and a strong background in neurobiology will be assets, as will familiarity with related bioinformatics approaches. Applicants will have a PhD (or close to completion) in neuroscience, biological sciences or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience.
For more information and to apply, please click here.
ukdri@imperial.ac.uk
