Research Fellow in Therapy Development for Norrie Disease

About us

Our mission is to maximise and advocate for the holistic health of all children, young people and the adults they will become, through world-class research, education and public engagement. The UCL GOS ICH, together with its clinical partner Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, forms the largest concentration of children’s health research outside North America. The 2024-29 GOS ICH strategy focuses on its five scientific programmes. GOS ICH’s activities include active engagement with children and families, to ensure that our work is relevant and appropriate to their needs. GOS ICH generates the funding for our research by setting out our proposals in high quality applications to public, charitable and industrial funding bodies and disseminates the results of our research by publication in the medical and scientific literature, to clinicians, policy makers and the wider public. The Institute offers world-class education and training across a wide range of teachin g and life learning programmes which address the needs of students and professional groups who are interested in and undertaking work relevant to child health. GOS ICH holds an Athena SWAN Charter Gold Award.

About the role

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated researcher with experience of AAV gene therapy to work in research on gene therapy to prevent hearing loss in patients with Norrie disease. The post holder will evaluate NDP gene augmentation via a viral construct, and test its effectiveness in mouse models of Norrie disease. Candidates will investigate whether the gene therapy prevents death of the sensory hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear and hearing loss, and restores retinal vascular barrier function. They will test whether restoring the missing NDP-induced intracellular signaling in endothelial cells prevents hearing loss. These studies will help design NDP viral constructs for clinical Norrie gene therapy. The post would suit a postdoctoral researcher with a strong background and practical experience in AAV therapies and interest in degenerative disease and therapeutic development. The salary offered is £42,099 - £45,521 per annum and is available from 1st December 2024 f or 28 months in the first instance.

About you

Candidates must have a PhD (or about to be awarded) in a relevant area and a BSc/MSc in a related life science subject (e.g. genetics/ stem cell biology/ developmental biology). Proven research aptitude and laboratory experience is essential. Experience in AAV gene therapy is essential. Working knowledge of the murine animal model, histology and microscopy would be desirable. The post holder will hold a Home Office PIL. Knowledge of Norrie disease and experience in management and breeding of genetically modified mouse colonies would be an advantage. The successful applicant will be able to lead high quality research and operate independently but will also communicate and work effectively with members of the research group and collaborators to achieve the project goals. This is a highly translational and multidisciplinary project between the Sowden Lab and collaborators with clinical, surgical, and technology transfer expertise, bringing together the relevant technologies required for this project. This post will be based in the Birth Defects Research Centre at the UCL GOS Institute of Child Health. The Centre is committed to study of genetics and development, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine, linking basic biological advances to the clinic.

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