Organisation/Company: KINGS COLLEGE LONDON
Research Field: Psychological sciences
Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2), Established Researcher (R3)
Country: United Kingdom
Application Deadline: 12 Jan 2025 - 00:00 (UTC)
Type of Contract: Other
Job Status: Full-time
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
About Us
Wolfson SPaRC (Sensory, Pain and Regeneration Centre) is one of four departments in the School of Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, located on the Guy’s Campus at London Bridge. Research in the department spans three main themes: Chronic Pain & Migraine, Spinal Cord & Brain Repair, and Hearing Loss & Sensory Systems. Our mission is to understand the biological mechanisms behind these neurological and sensory disorders and harness this knowledge to develop new therapeutic strategies.
We have world-leading experts who interrogate these conditions at the genetic, molecular, cellular, and whole systems level. Our strengths lie in neuroplasticity, interdisciplinary neuro-immune research, high-throughput sequencing technologies, drug discovery, and advanced therapeutics. We have excellent facilities to support our use of pre-clinical cell and in vivo models, alongside human cellular models.
About the Role
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate to join a project investigating new approaches for retinal neuroprotection and restoration of vision. The research is part of a large project to identify and develop new treatments for glaucoma and spinal cord injury. Neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma cause irreversible damage to neurons in the retina and optic nerve, leading to a loss of vision. Spinal cord injury causes irreversible damage to axons which control movement and sensation.
The role will use preclinical models to test and develop gene therapy approaches for retinal neuroprotection and optic nerve regeneration, while using cell and molecular techniques to study the mechanisms controlling axon regeneration, and bespoke bioinformatic approaches for target identification.
The work will involve collaborating with researchers and partners aiming to move treatments towards clinical applications, with collaborations in London, Cambridge, and Stockholm (Karolinska Institutet).
Axon regeneration through the optic nerve and towards the visual centres of the brain will be necessary as a regenerative treatment for glaucoma. The project will focus on Protrudin, a scaffolding molecule that localizes to axon growth tips and brings together components needed for axon growth.
The work is part of a large project to repair the CNS by stimulating the transport of regenerative machinery into axons in the optic nerve or spinal cord. The Eva Lab is studying the role of various sub-cellular organelles during axon growth and regeneration, using several models of axonal injury.
The position, funded by the MRC, will focus on Protrudin and related molecules as targets for stimulating guided regeneration through the diseased or injured nerve. This is a full-time post and you will be offered a fixed-term contract until 5 January 2028.
About You
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates with expertise in animal models of disease or injury, preferably with a background in eye or neuro-biology. Education to PhD level is required, with candidates demonstrating an intellectually and technically impressive track record.
* PhD qualified in relevant subject area (or pending results following your final submission).
* Experience working with in vivo models of disease or injury, preferably in the visual system.
* Evidence of engagement in high-quality research activity.
* Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
Ability to exercise a degree of innovation and creative problem-solving.
Experience with:
* Microscopy.
* Neuronal Cell Culture.
* Bioinformatics.
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge, and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information on what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
*Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting the 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
We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.
We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.
We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV and a supporting statement detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.
To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.
Interviews are due to be held late January.
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