Research Assistant in Cardiovascular Physiology and Cerebral Perfusion

Job description:

The Christie lab is a nascent research group focused on the metabolic regulation of the mammalian brain. Led by the neuroscientist Isabel Christie, the group focuses on understanding gas homeostasis in the brain with a particular focus on oxygen regulation. Since neuronal computation is tightly coupled with oxygen availability, Isabel is interested in how metabolic mechanisms fail as people age and cognitive decline occurs. Western countries face the challenge of caring for an ageing population where any extension of brain health is valuable. Cardiovascular health is closely correlated with healthy ageing and exercise is the best preventative measure against dementia. Meanwhile brain blood flow declines as people age (Christie et al. 2022). Therefore it follows that preserving cerebral perfusion as people age with various comorbidities (hypertension, hypotension, obesity) will preserve oxygen supply to the brain. MRI and two photon imaging are used in animal models to understand the fundamental physiology of cerebral perfusion and gas exchange. Human research using MRI is anticipated in the future as this lab grows.

The role offered here is research assistant for 12 months. Potential progression to PhD depending on performance during the initial period.

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities,a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

We are committed to exploring flexible working opportunities which benefit the individual and University.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

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