2024 BNA Scholars announced
15th March 2024
Dementia is the greatest 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 supporting research to fill this gap.
Professor Bart De Strooper’s lab, based in the UK DRI at UCL, is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated scientist to join the team, working on a project to further understand the cellular response that characterises Alzheimer’s disease.
Bart De Strooper’s research is focussed on translating genetic findings into mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and drug targets. He is best known for his work on the presenilins and gamma-secretase, and more recently for his work on the cellular theory of Alzheimer’s Disease. He was elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship in 2020 and has received several awards including the Potamkin prize and the highly prestigious Brain Prize 2018.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join the lab of a world-leader in Alzheimer’s research and benefit from the unique and highly collaborative scientific environment of the UK DRI. You will have the opportunity to use a variety of techniques, including applying a novel spatial transcriptomics technology to a human disease for the first time, as well as utilise the expertise and technologies available across the UK DRI at UCL, team members based at the Crick and the De Strooper lab at VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research.
Key to the role is significant collaboration with other scientists in the UK DRI, the ARUK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, and research groups at KULeuven and VIB institute in Belgium, and there will be opportunity for travel to enable international interactions and cross-communication.
You’ll have a PhD in life sciences, or a related area, coupled with experience in transcriptomics and molecular biology. Good communication and organisational skills are essential, as is the ability to build strong working relationships in a multidisciplinary environment. You’ll be adept at presenting complex scientific concepts and contents verbally and in writing and have experience of managing research projects and coordinating scientific collaboration.
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 £31,542 - £33,257 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.
In addition to completing the online application form please upload a recent CV and a cover letter outlining your interest in joining the De Strooper research group and how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
If you have any queries regarding the vacancy or the application process, please contact UK DRI HQ Head of HR Laura Allum, l.allum@ukdri.ucl.ac.uk