Research Associate in Quantifying Neurodegenerative Disease Proteins

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The Role
We are seeking a post-doctoral Research Associate based at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, UK (Co-PIs Dr Christopher Morris, Dr Jon Sellars, Dr Paul Donaghy). We focus on the neurobiological basis of Lewy body disorders such as dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s, with the overarching goal of identifying novel biomarkers, treatments and therapeutic interventions. The programme integrates fundamental laboratory science with clinical research as part of the Mental Health, Dementia and Neurodegeneration Research Theme https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/research-themes/mental-health/, which strongly aligns with the vision of Newcastle University and Newcastle University Centres of Research Excellence (NUCoREs).

The project will focus on identifying biomarkers of Parkinson's and dementia with Lewy bodies and how these can be applied in clinical practice. The role will place particular emphasis on the chemical and biochemical aspects of biomarker discovery. The studies will be aimed at determining the pathological changes that occur in these disorders, how these changes relate to underlying disease biology, and how the biomarker changes can be translated into clinical use through a variety of patient samples including use of post mortem brain tissue, and patient biofluids obtained during life. The post will develop and apply analytical chemistry and protein chemistry techniques to interrogate patient samples. The studies will explore molecular and chemical alterations underlying pathology in Lewy body disorders, such as changes in protein aggregation, post-translational modifications, and small-molecule metabolite signatures. Design and optimisation of fluorescent probes, high-throughput biochemical assays, and chromatographic and mass spectrometry-based platforms for quantitative biomarker profiling will be used. Our major aim is to use these biomarkers to objectively determine severity of the underlying disease and relationships to clinical treatment and response.

This post is fixed-term for a period of 9 months in the first instance with a view to extension for two years.

For informal enquiries contact: Dr Chris Morris (c.m.morris@newcastle.ac.uk), Dr Jon Sellars (Jon.Sellars@newcastle.ac.uk), or Dr Paul Donaghy (paul.donaghy@newcastle.ac.uk).

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/.

Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

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