Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Applications are invited for an 18 month postdoctoral research associate position within the Williams-Gray/Barker lab (with possible extension subject to funding). The lab works at the interface of clinical and laboratory science, aiming to better understand the clinical heterogeneity of Parkinson's disease and the underlying biological basis of this, with a view to developing more targeted and personalized therapies. The successful candidate will contribute to an expanding programme of research investigating how immune activation and protein aggregation interact to drive the progression of Parkinson's disease. The role will focus particularly on laboratory-based analysis of immune profile and function using patient-derived biosamples. It will include the opportunity to play an integral role in a phase 2 randomised controlled trial of an immunosuppressant drug in Parkinson's disease through detailed immunophenotyping and functional immune assays using peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid derived cells, collected pre and post treatment. There may also be opportunities to contribute to related projects running within the lab, including neuropathological and neuroimaging studies.

We seek applicants with a PhD in biological sciences, together with practical experience of flow cytometry and in vitro immunological assays in human biosamples. The successful candidate will ideally have relevant experience and specialist knowledge in the fields of both neurodegeneration and immunology.

The post holder will work within a close clinical and scientific team of research assistants, doctoral students, post-doctoral researchers and clinicians. They will be expected to work in a team environment and to support and contribute to a number of related projects on immune function in Parkinson's disease which are currently ongoing within the lab. 

For questions relating to the post, please contact Dr Caroline Williams-Gray via email: chm27@cam.ac.uk 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 months in the first instance.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and a CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The closing date for applications is: 11th April 2023

The interview date for the role is: To be confirmed

Please quote reference ZE36085 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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