The newly formed group of Dr Ian Harrison is seeking a research associate to carry out a project that aims to understand the involvement of the glymphatic system in the clearance of propagation prone protein species from the brain. The position will be based within UCL’s Division of Medicine, at the Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging (CABI) (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/centre-for-advanced-biomedical-imaging/), a world-leading laboratory for in vivo imaging of glymphatic function in preclinical models. CABI is almost unique in its provision of experimental imaging apparatus, all housed in a bespoke facility in central London, strategically placed next-door to the newly established UK Dementia Research Institute (DRI) Hub at UCL. UCL is currently ranked second in the world, and first in Europe for neuroscience and behaviour, by Thomson ISI Essential Science Indicators, with more than twice as many publications and citations as any other European institution. UCL Neuroscience researchers generate over 30% of the country's contribution to the most highly cited publications in neuroscience, more than twice as much as any other university.
The project is focussed on understanding the involvement of the glymphatic system in the clearance of protein species known to induce propagating pathology in the brain in neurodegenerative diseases, namely Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The role will involve inducing propagating pathology in transgenic animal lines using stereotaxic injection, and studying the mechanistic involvement of the glymphatic system in this spread. The project will therefore involve numerous in vivo techniques, including surgery, pharmacological treatments, behavioural testing, and MRI, and numerous downstream cellular and molecular analysis techniques such as PCR, Westerns and immunohistochemistry, as well as image processing and analysis.
The post is available from 1st November 2019, jointed funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK and Parkinson’s UK until 31st October 2022, in the first instance.
Excellent oral and written communication and inter-personal skills, proven pro-active, creative and independent thinking and flexibility, and an ability to contribute ideas for new research projects are also required.
Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at research assistant Grade 6B (salary £31,479-£33,194 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis. If the PhD has not yet been granted, the final accepted version of the thesis must have been submitted to the degree-granting university by the start-date.
For more information and to apply, please click here.
Closing Date: 30 Nov 2019
Latest time for the submission of applications: 23:59
Interview date: TBC
UCL Taking Action for Equality
We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.
Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.
For an informal discussion please contact Dr Ian Harrison (ian.harrison@ucl.ac.uk)
For any queries regarding this advert or recruitment process please contact Anita Gorasia (a.gorasia@ucl.ac.uk)
