Research Fellow

Within the Department of Neurodegenerative Disease and UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, the laboratory of Doctor Salih is dedicated to investigating the interplay between the immune system and cognitive function in the ageing brain focusing on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. We study genetic variations in the human population and their effects on neurodegenerative diseases using techniques such as GWAS, transcriptomics, and epigenetics. Our interdisciplinary approach integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and advanced genomic methods to advance our understanding and treatment of dementia and age-related disorders.

We are recruiting a Research Fellow to contribute a leading role to a project to identify the genetic, epigenetic, and cellular mechanisms by which oligodendrocytes and GWAS variants coordinate ageing and neurodegeneration by cross-talk with neurons and microglia. You will analyse newly generated H3K27ac datasets (ChIP-seq and CUT&Tag) and integrate them with new single-nucleus multiome data, and existing transcriptome data (bulk, single-cell, long-read and spatial), GWAS data, proteomics, and data from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-oligodendrocytes and other iPSC cultures using a wide range of bioinformatics approaches to dissect the mode of action by which epigenetic and genetic factors coordinate oligodendrocytic funtion and cell type cross-talk in ageing, resilience and disease.

You will be responsible for planning, execution and report of bioinformatics experiments and contribution to the formulation and submission of research publications as well as management and direction of this challenging project as opportunities allow.

The post is available immediately and is funded by the UK Dementia Research Institute Ltd for 12 months at UCL. After completing 12 months at UCL, the post will then move to King’s College London for a further 24 months.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin at ucl.ac.uk).

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Dr Dervis Salih (dervis.salih at ucl.ac.uk).

For a full job description please visit UCL’s online recruitment portal (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs) and search using vacancy reference B02-10500. To apply, please upload a current CV, complete the online application form, and use the supporting statement section or upload a cover letter to outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please do not upload any additional attachments as these will not be considered by the selection panel.

You’ll have a PhD (or be close to completion) in Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline, coupled with knowledge of epigenetics and transcriptomics analyses, multiomics and/or data integration, and cellular, molecular, or biochemical mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and aging. Demonstrable experience in performing high-quality research, of working in a laboratory in an interdisciplinary research environment, and the demonstrable ability to execute a programme of experiments through the design and improvement phase to data curation and publication is also essential for this role.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits; visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Customer advert reference: B02-10500

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