Postdoctoral Researcher in Microglial Pathophysiology in Alzheimer’s Disease

We have an excellent opportunity for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Microglial Pathophysiology in Alzheimer’s Disease to join the newly established multidisciplinary Oxford-GSK Institute of Molecular and Computational Medicine (IMCM), operating within Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM) in collaboration with Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience (NDCN), Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, Department of Psychiatry and Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG).

You will be responsible for culturing and manipulating human induced Pluripotent Stem Cell lines and undertaking their differentiation to microglia and neurons. You will optimise methodologies for isolation of aggregated proteins from Alzheimer’s brains. This will involve advanced methodologies for detection and quantification of aggregated protein species, including RT-QuIC and mass-spectroscopy; and also, be involved in purification of recombinant aggregation-prone proteins, using liquid chromatography (AKTA). You will design, validate, troubleshoot, and perform relevant assays to interrogate dysregulation induced in iPS-microglia by exposure to material from Alzheimer’s brains. This will require standard cell and molecular biology methodologies, including qPCR, Western Blot, FACs, pharmacological and CRISPR-mediated genetic manipulation of intracellular signalling/trafficking pathways, cytokine immunoassays (ELISAs, bioassays), high content imaging (Opera Phenix) and automated image analysis. It will also involve processing of samples for multi-omics analyses (transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics).

It is essential that you hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in neuroscience, cell/molecular biology or immunology. You will have experience in cell culture, preferably human pluripotent stem cells and in molecular biology methodologies including qPCR, Western Blot, FACs, and setting up cellular assays, such as cytokine immunoassays (ELISAs, bioassays), preferably including image-based experiments. The knowledge of stem cell reprogramming and the differentiation of iPSCs into neuronal and glial cultures and the ability to conduct high quality research and produce relevant publications. Experience of protein biochemistry and purification of recombinant proteins using liquid chromatography and/or knowledge of neuroinflammation is desirable but not an essential requirement.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience.  

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract until 30 September 2027 and is funded by GSK.  

Only applications received before 12 midday on Tuesday 18 June 2024 will be considered. Please quote 172864 on all correspondence.

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