UK DRI Research Assistant

About us

Dementia is one of the greatest health challenge of our century. To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it.

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward research to fill this gap.

We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of 850 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, with laboratory-based research groups located at University College London, the University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, Edinburgh University, Imperial College London, & King’s College London.

Researchers at the UK DRI at King’s use innovative approaches to explore the biological mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Their goal is to defeat dementia by uncovering vital new knowledge that will lead to the design of smarter diagnostics & effective treatments. The team aim to understand the fundamental biological processes involved in dementia at a molecular level – and to use that knowledge to design new ways to diagnose and treat disease more precisely.

About the role

A new position is available for an experienced Research Assistant in the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) research group led by Dr Sarah Marzi.

The group of Dr Sarah Marzi is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual for a full-time research assistant position to support their research. This will primarily be a role to support work in stem cell culture, including iPSC-derived microglia and motor neurons. The Research Assistant will contribute to running functional cellular assays, as well as molecular biology laboratory work, including flow cytometry, RNA-sequencing analysis by next generation sequencing, single cell approaches and nanopore sequencing.  It requires consistency & attention to detail, as well as a willingness for occasional weekend work in the context of cellular work. The post-holder will also provide support for general organisational and technical duties to allow the smooth and efficient running of the lab.

Dr Marzi’s group aims to determine the role of epigenetic regulation in neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS, Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s disease, using state of the art epigenetic and genomic techniques in cell populations and at the single cell level. Specifically, we seek to identify an epigenetic link between non-coding genetic and environmental risk in dementia and identify mechanisms by which these risk factors make cells susceptible to neurodegeneration.

Some of the key skills involved include;

• Maintaining accurate laboratory records
• Maintaining and conducting experiments on iPSCs and mammalian cell cultures
• Undertaking DNA/RNA extractions and library preparation
• Quantifying genomic samples (DNA/RNA/libraries) on the Tape station or similar
• Supporting single cell multiomic experiments, including nuclear extractions, and library generation
• Liaising with other technical staff to service and maintain stocks and equipment
• Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be requested by Dr Sarah Marzi

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an a fixed-term contract until 30/10/26.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills & experience:

Essential criteria

• MSc/MSci in Biology, Neuroscience, Genomics or similar
• Experience in cell culture, including human iPSC cell culture specifically microglia differentiations
• Experience with fluorescence activated cell or nuclear sorting
• Knowledge of epigenetics & gene regulation
• Experience with fluorescent microscopy, immunofluorescence
• Experience in ELISA
• Knowledge of basic neuroscience & neurodegenerative diseases

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