Job number ACAD104582
Division/School School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Contract type Open Ended
Working pattern Full time
Salary £33,797 - £38,017 per annum
Closing date for applications 12-Jul-2020

A 3 year postdoctoral research position is available in Dr James Hodge’s lab in School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience at University of Bristol. It will be in collaboration with Drs Katie Lunnon, Jon Witton (University of Exeter), Owen Peters and Gaynor Smith (Cardiff University).

The Alzheimer’s Research UK funded grant is entitled “Functional screening of novel genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) to investigate new mechanisms, therapeutic targets and drugs”. Sequencing of people with AD has identified ~20 new genes associated with the risk of developing AD however it is unclear how these genes contribute to the disease. Furthermore co-supervisor Dr Katie Lunnon has identified another 20 epigenetic genes associated with AD. Many of these novel AD genes have never been studied before in any living organism.

To address this bottleneck in AD research, we will use the fruit fly Drosophila which is an established genetic model to screen through the mutations in novel AD genes measuring the effects on neurodegeneration, lifespan, memory and sleep loss. We will determine the interaction between these novel neurodegenerative AD genes and human amyloid-Beta and tau and then characterise the function and mechanism of action of the novel AD genes. We will see if we can reverse AD-like pathology by correcting the novel AD mutants using genetics, this will show how they cause AD and their potential as drug targets.

A degree and PhD in biomedical science is required and experience in Drosophila, molecular genetics, imaging, behaviour, pharmacology, electrophysiology and bioinformatics preferable, although training will be provided. Applicants will benefit from the state of art facilities, expertise and training available in Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol. 

For informal enquiries please contact Dr James Hodge, email: james.hodge@bristol.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0) 117 331 1416.  You can also see the following for more information: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/phys-pharm-neuro/people-new/hodge/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoS-9HgzCro

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/phys-pharm-neuro/events/fly-meetings/

https://twitter.com/doctor_fruitfly

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.