Fellowship Opportunity: Neurodegeneration with focus on risk factors and diagnostic/progression biomarkers

Neurodegenerative diseases, affecting central or peripheral nervous systems, are a significant burden on our ageing society due to their negative impacts on quality of life. Biomarkers that sensitively track disease progression will enable faster and cheaper clinical trials that will mean treatments can be found sooner. Significant advances in understanding pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases are supporting identification of therapeutic targets that are attracting major interest from industry. The ability to support translation of these interventions to successful clinical application will be enhanced by concomitant advance in understanding risk and biomarker development. Such work requires collaborative efforts between scientists, clinicians and people living with neurodegenerative conditions.

The Neurodegeneration Theme at Manchester Metropolitan is well placed to support delivery of these ambitions. We have a growing record of research studying both peripheral and central neurodegeneration, in the context of both ageing and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease, MND and Parkinson’s Disease. We also have extensive research facilities spanning electrophysiology, biomedical imaging in the form of 3-T MRI and extensive microscopy suites, coupled with stemcell and tissue culture suites and a range of facilities for genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics and proteomics, all of which are supported by specialist technical teams.

About the role: 

• To undertake world-leading and internationally excellent research using latest and innovative methodologies, as relevant in your area of research. 

• To prepare, present and publish research outputs through the appropriate forums. 

• To develop ideas for generating income to ensure the continued success and growth of research portfolio.  

• To disseminate findings of research widely to further the institution’s standing in the HE and research community and strengthen the impact of the research.

About the candidate: 

You will be an ambitious and emerging researcher, able to demonstrate the potential to launch an independent programme of high impact in neurodegeneration, with a focus on risk factors and diagnostic/progression biomarkers. You will also collaborate with clinical partners as well as cross-disciplinary collaborations with colleagues across Life Science and Sports & Exercise departments.

Requirements: 

• Doctoral level qualification in a related research area. 

• Possess breadth or depth of specialist knowledge and demonstrate potential for research independence.

• Excellent track record of relevant research outputs. 

• Significant research experience in the chosen field of research, which should include where appropriate: 
  • leading the work of a team, co-ordinating effort and resources to meet objectives 
  • developing partnerships with internal and external agencies 
  • preparing funding proposals and applications to external bodies 
  • using initiative, creativity and judgement to develop appropriate approaches to research 
  • synthesising complex data from different sources and communicating findings via written reports and articles 
  • presenting at national and/or international research meetings 
  • supervising student work and providing appropriate support and feedback. 

• Experience of managing and monitoring performance of research projects in multi-disciplinary teams.

• Ability to manage projects involving academic institutions and funding bodies. 

Please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification for a full list of essential & desirable criteria. 

Academic Contact: Prof. Emma Hodson-Tole (e.tole@mmu.ac.uk) to discuss the fellowship opportunity in detail. 

Closing Date: 29 May 2024 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on researchfellowships@mmu.ac.uk  

To return to the main fellowship page, click here  

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