The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is a joint £290 million investment from the Medical Research Council (MRC), Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Centred on the need for innovative, early-stage science to advance our understanding of how dementias develop and progress, the UK DRI’s research will bring new therapies to patients faster. The Institute’s mission is to find new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent dementias, whilst finding better ways to provide care for people with dementia. Prof Vincent Dion’s group develops novel approaches to treat expanded repeat disorders, a group of over 40 diseases that all remain without a cure. His laboratory is pioneering gene editing approaches to treat this family of disorders. To assess the potential use of CRISPR-Cas9 nickase to contract short-tandem repeats, we are looking to hire a Research Assistant. The ideal person will have experience with packaging biosafety level 2 non-replicating retroviral vectors and using them in cultured mammalian cells. The work includes the use of induced-pluripotent stem cells. This is an exciting opportunity to carry a project independently and drive it to its fruitful completion within a dynamic and motivated team. For informal enquiries please contact Prof Vincent Dion ( DionVcardiff.ac.uk ) This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1st January 2025 and fixed term until 30th September 2025, based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus. Salary: £33,232 - £35,880 per annum (Grade 5). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances. The majority of roles at Cardiff University are currently operating under “blended working” arrangements, with staff having the flexibility to work partly from home and partly from the University campus depending on specific business requirements. Discussions around these arrangements can take place after the successful candidate has been appointed. Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter. Closing date: Thursday, 2 January 2025 Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements. Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English. £33,232 to £35,880 per annum (Grade 5)