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Research Associate - Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration

Employer
KINGS COLLEGE LONDON
Location
London (Greater)
Salary
£38,826, including London Weighting Allowance
Closing date
30 Nov 2021

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Academic Discipline
Biological Sciences, Life sciences
Job Type
Research Related
Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time

Job Details

Job description

We are seeking a postdoctoral research associate position to work on an MRC-funded project to explore the role of molecular chaperones in astrocytes in the context of Alzheimer’s disease. This a 2-year position to join the laboratory of Maria Jimenez-Sanchez. 

 

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated scientist who is passionate about science and has a background in neurodegeneration and/or proteostasis research. The postdoctoral researcher will lead a project to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which extracellular chaperones exert protective functions in Alzheimer’s disease. We are looking for someone with cell biology, biochemistry and imaging expertise in neuronal biology in the context of neurodegeneration. Research models to use will include primary neuron and glial cultures and long term organotypic brain slice cultures. We will use AAVs, recombinant proteins and/or siRNA/DNA transfection to modulate levels of relevant proteins in these models to investigate the impact of chaperones in Alzheimer’s disease pathology and their mechanisms, including tau pathology, synaptic and neuronal dysfunction. The project may also involve working with human post-mortem Alzheimer’s disease brain samples. We expect you to have a large degree of independence and will make major practical and intellectual contributions to the project. Time management skills and the ability to work with others as well as to train and supervise students in the lab are required.  

Please see the following for more information on the role: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/maria-jimenez-sanchez-research-group

The lab is based at the Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, in King’s College London, Denmark Hill Campus.

 

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for 24 months 

This is a full-time  post - 100% full time equivalent

 

Key responsibilities

  • Develop and undertake research of high quality in line with the aims of the project to enable better understanding of astrocyte-neuron interactions in Alzheimer’s disease and the role of molecular chaperones in this process.
  • The role will require high degree of independence and major intellectual contribution to the project.
  • Deep understanding of neuronal biology and neurodegeneration
  • Expertise in cell culture, biochemistry and imaging techniques.
  • Hands on experience in primary neuronal cultures and organotypic brain slice cultures
  • Competency on cell culture and general biochemistry techniques is essential
  • Techniques to use may include the preparation of primary mouse astrocyte and neuron cultures, cell culture and genetic manipulation using DNA and siRNA transfection approaches, and confocal and high content imaging.
  • Carry out meticulous collection, analysis and interpretation of data
  • Maintain careful permanent records of all experimental work
  • Contribute to publications arising from the project Work in a collaborative manner and engage with other members of the group and department
  • Be committed to their own personal career development
  • Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be relevant to the role outline.

 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

  1. PhD in a relevant field (e.g. Neuroscience, Biochemistry or other Biomedical Science)
  2. Theoretical and practical knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases and protein homeostasis mechanisms
  3. Good knowledge and practical skills in microscopy and imaging analysis techniques, including the use of confocal and super resolution microscopes
  4. Good knowledge in general biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology techniques including western blotting, immunofluorescence, cloning or cell culture
  5. Proficient IT skills including MS Office, knowledge of statistical analyses of laboratory data, knowledge of programmes for preparation of data for presentation in publications.
  6. Proactive and able to work independently and as part of a team, with experience in supervision of students and new members.
  7. Excellent presentation and communication skills
  8. A strong track record as evidenced by published or accepted papers in highly regarded peer-reviewed journals, oral and/or poster presentations at scientific meetings

Desirable criteria

  1. Theoretical and practical knowledge in glial cells in neurodegeneration
  2. Preparation of primary rodent glial and neuronal cell cultures
  3. Preparation of mouse organotypic brain slice cultures

 

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

 

Further information

 

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance.

 

Company

King's College London is one of the top 20 universities in the world and among the oldest in England. King's has more than 27,600 students (of whom nearly 10,500 are graduate students) from some 150 countries worldwide, and some 6,800 staff.

King's has an outstanding reputation for world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) King’s was ranked 6th nationally in the ‘power’ ranking, which takes into account both the quality and quantity of research activity, and 7th for quality according to Times Higher Education rankings. Eighty-four per cent of research at King’s was deemed ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (3* and 4*). The university is in the top seven UK universities for research earnings and has an overall annual income of more than £684 million.

King's has a particularly distinguished reputation in the humanities, law, the sciences (including a wide range of health areas such as psychiatry, medicine, nursing and dentistry) and social sciences including international affairs. It has played a major role in many of the advances that have shaped modern life, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA and research that led to the development of radio, television, mobile phones and radar.

King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts are part of King's Health Partners. King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC) is a pioneering global collaboration between one of the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation Trusts, including leading teaching hospitals and comprehensive mental health services. For more information, visit: www.kingshealthpartners.org.

King’s £600 million campaign, World questions|KING’s answers, has delivered huge global impact in areas where King’s has particular expertise. Philanthropic support has funded new research to save young lives at Evelina London Children’s Hospital; established the King’s Dickson Poon School of Law as a worldwide leader in transnational law; built a new Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital; allowed unique collaboration between leading neuroscientists to fast-track new treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, motor neurone disease, depression and schizophrenia at the new Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute; created the Cicely Saunders Institute: the first academic institution in the world dedicated to palliative care, and supported the King’s Sierra Leone Partnership in the Ebola crisis. Donations provide over 300 of the most promising students with scholarships and bursaries each year. More information about the campaign is available at www.kcl.ac.uk/kingsanswers.

Company info
Mini-site
KINGS COLLEGE LONDON
Telephone
+(44)02078365454
Location
STRAND
LONDON
WC2R 2LS
United Kingdom

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