Research Associate in Circadian BiologyJob Type: Full-Time.Starting Salary: £48056 - £56345 per annum + 48056 plus benefitsTo find out more about the job please click the ‘apply for job’ button to be taken to Imperial job site
About the role
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The Brancaccio Lab invites applications from talented, highly motivated and creative postdoctoral scientists to take a leading role in one of the following projects investigating molecular cellular and circuit mechanisms driving circadian dysfunction in pre-clinical models of Alzheimer\\\'s disease (AD).
Today, over 1 million people in the UK are living with dementia and related neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer\\\'s, Parkinson\\\'s, and motor neuron disease (MND). The impact of these incurable and progressive conditions on individuals and their families is devastating. The cost to the economy and public services is large and growing as the UK population ages. However, due to major advances in our understanding of the biology of these diseases, the scientific field is at a tipping point, with the next decade promising to deliver transformative breakthroughs in therapies and a new era of predictive, preventative, and precision medicine for neurodegenerative conditions. The UK is well placed to play a leading role in this revolution due to its scientific strengths in the field, led by the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) working with our world-class, university-based centres. We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of over 900 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, driving a step change in our understanding of neurodegeneration, and accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of interventions that will help diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent dementia. Our principal funder is the Medical Research Council (MRC).
What you would be doing
Project: Leveraging circadian clocks to prevent Alzheimer\\\'s disease
In this project, you will develop new molecular tools modifying circadian pathways to prevent/ delay Alzheimer\\\'s disease. This project stems from newly established mouse models and clock molecular targets identified in the Brancaccio Lab. You will perform viral delivery of gene therapy viral vectors, behavioural assessment of sleep-wake cycles and cognition, multiplexed live imaging in brain tissue, combinatorial intersectional genetics, and multivariate statistical analysis of time series to validate new chronotherapeutic interventions in Alzheimer\\\'s disease. Further experience with analyses of large \\\'OMICS dataset and advanced molecular biology tools in addition to stereotaxic brain surgery and live imaging will be an element of significant strength for this position. Previous knowledge of circadian biology is desirable but not strictly necessary.
What we are looking for
* You will be a motivated and organised researcher, excited by the science we do.
* You will hold (or be near completion of) a PhD in neuroscience (or related discipline).
* Experience of one or more laboratory techniques including live imaging microscopy and advanced techniques of molecular biology (e.g., cloning, viral vector design, construction and production, CRISPR/Cas9 and/or RNAi functional interference
* Experience of one or more software packages is essential: MATLAB, ImageJ, SigmaPlot,
* Prism, R, as is experience in statistical analysis.
* Practical experience with RNAseq, RNA scope, and spatial transcriptomic techniques is highly desirable.
* Experience with multivariate statistical analysis of (circadian) time series is highly desirable.
What we can offer you
This role is part of the UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, located in the Department of Brain Sciences. You will benefit from an active research (and social) environment in the Department of Brain Sciences, with additional research labs in the Sir Michael Uren Hub on the nearby White City Campus. Postdocs in the UK DRI at Imperial enjoy excellent career development opportunities with:
* Access to a range of cutting-edge technologies, i.e., real-time live imaging for circadian gene expression and neuronal and glial metabolic function, automated behavioural testing, single cell/nuclei transcriptomics, Imaging Mass Cytometry and computational modelling.
* An inclusive and collegial working environment.
* Strong national links through the UK DRI with attendance at its annual scientific meeting \\\'Connectome\\\'.
* The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
* Grow your career: Gain access to Imperial\\\'s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression
* Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
Further information
This role is offered on a full time, fixed term basis for 12 months, and is based at Hammersmith Campus.
Please note, Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.
As this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, at the appropriate level, will be required for the successful candidate.
Imperial is one of the UK\\\'s most international universities and welcomes staff from all backgrounds and from all over the world.
If you require any further details on the role please contact: [Dr Marco Brancaccio] - [m.brancaccio@imperial.ac.uk].