Research Associate in Gene Delivery and Cell Biology

School of Science

We invite applications for an 18-month postdoctoral research associate position in gene delivery and cell biology. This multi-disciplinary Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard project, led by Dr. Amanda Pearce at Loughborough University, aims to develop polymer vesicles for site-specific delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 to the brain as a novel therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

The successful candidate will join a collaborative team with expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, nanoparticle formulation, biochemistry and cell biology. The objectives are to screen polymer vesicle formulations to determine optimum chemistries for high encapsulation and stability of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing constructs. A variety of 2D and 3D cell culture assays will be employed (including an in vitro blood-brain barrier model in collaboration with the University of Manchester) to determine hit formulations with selective localisation within diseased brain cells.

Building on our recent development of polymer vesicles for the encapsulation of macromolecular chemosensors, the project aims to:

• Generate a CRISPR/Cas9 system targeting enhanced green fluorescence protein (GFP)
• Encapsulate this construct within a library of polymer vesicles
• Assess encapsulation and stability using a range of biochemistry assays, and cell uptake in iPSC neurons and astrocytes with AD-specific mutations
• Analyse chemical and biological experimental data to generate structure-property relationships guiding further targeted vesicle development
• Evaluate ability for hit vesicle formulations to cross the blood-brain barrier in a transwell model using iPSC-derived neurovascular cells

The position is ideally suited for an ambitious early career researcher with a strong background in biochemistry and/or cell biology assays. You will be proficient in mammalian cell culture and microscopy and comfortable in performing experiments in controlled/sterile conditions. Experience with DNA/RNA, gel electrophoresis, protein expression and particle sizing techniques is advantageous. The successful candidate will be motivated to advance novel polymer CRISPR/Cas9 delivery vehicles, collaborating with a skilled team to progress research in AD treatments. 

This is a full-time 18-month position to commence on or after 6^th October 2025.

Please note that the interviews are scheduled to be held in the last week of July.

For relevant publications please see: Macromolecules, 2024, 57, 4062-4071; Adv. Healthc. Mater., 2020, 9, 2000892; Bioconj. Chem., 2019, 30, 2300–2311. 

More information about the Pearce Group can be found here: https://www.pearcepolymergroup.com/

For further details contact Dr Amanda Pearce at a.pearce@lboro.ac.uk

For more information refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

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