2024 BNA Scholars announced
15th March 2024
Job details
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.
UCL’s strength in combining excellent clinical and basic neuroscience research to advance our understanding of neurodegeneration and identify novel targets and therapeutic approaches for dementia resulted in its selection as the hub of the UK DRI. Research at the ?UK DRI at UCL?covers the journey from the person living with dementia to the laboratory and back again - with improved diagnosis and potential therapies put to the test. The groups believe in intervening earlier in disease in order to change the trajectory.
Applications are invited for a Research Fellow to work at the interface of neurobiology and cell biology and to develop tools and techniques to visualise membrane damage in iPSC-derived neurons. The applicant will work between the laboratories of Prof Adrian Isaacs (UK DRI at UCL) and Dr Jeremy Carlton (Crick Institute and King’s College London) through a pioneering new collaborative partnership grant funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
Experimental approaches will include molecular biology and genome editing (both knock-in and CRISPRi-mediated suppression), confocal microscopy, live-cell imaging, 3D-electron microscopy. The appointee will examine the contribution of membrane integrity and repair to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease and will have the opportunity to utilize the breadth and depth of expertise and technologies available across the collaborating groups, including the Crick Institute and the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL.
Person criteria
The successful candidate will have a PhD in life sciences (or a cognate area) or will have submitted their PhD thesis prior to the start date. Applicants must have proven experience of experience with confocal microscopy, image analysis, molecular biology techniques and generating stable cell lines.
The post holder must have excellent oral and written communication skills and an ability to present complex scientific concepts and content to a range of audiences. Prior involvement with generating CRISPR-modified lines, a good comprehension of basic statistical analysis methods, and IT proficiency at advanced user level (Spreadsheet, Word Processing, Database, Email, Web-based applications) are essential. Experience with iPSC-neuron culture, strong understanding of membrane trafficking, neuroscience and of neurodegenerative diseases is desirable.
How to apply
Contact details
For informal enquiries about the role please contact Professor Adrian Isaacs (a.isaacs@ucl.ac.uk) or Dr Jeremy Carlton (jeremy.carlton@crick.ac.uk).
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Oksana Shapoval, HR Officer, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk)