Laboratory Technician (Neurovascular Pathology)

Company description:

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Job description:

The Role

We seek a motivated Technical Assistant to join our team based in the Translational and Clinical Research Institute to support a study on the spatial accumulation of degenerative protein modifications (DPMs) e.g. isoDGR protein motifs in vascular dementia (VaD) and other common dementias, develop blood biomarkers to track DPMs as potential diagnostic tools and assess the efficacy of immunotherapy in two mice models involving stroke and white matter disease that cause vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). The position is funded by a UK Chairity (ARUK) for up to 3 years.

The project involves evaluating the spatial distribution and accumulation of isoDGR-proteins in brain and vascular tissues from subjects who developed dementia and relevant controls using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) methods.  Then identify and test the diagnostic potential of isoDGR biomarkers for patients at high risk of dementia, particularly VCID/post-stroke dementia (PSD) to establish ELISAs to estimate concentrations of isoDGR proteins in postmortem brain tissues and blood (taken in life) samples from the same subjects. Finally, test the efficacy of anti-isoDGR immunotherapy to promote immune clearance of isoDGR-damaged protein in mouse models of VCID by using immunopathological and fluid immuno-assay methods.

In this role, you will be based at our Newcastle Upon Tyne Health Innovation Neighbourhood campus. You will join the world-leading, multidisciplinary Mental Health and Neurodegeneration Theme (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/research-themes/mental-health/). You will work under the direct supervision of Professor Raj Kalaria and Mr Dan Jobson.

Reporting to the technical manager and principal investigator, the role will require specific technical and practical skills and a well-developed working knowledge of technical practices and procedures, acquired by experience on the job and/or vocational training. The post will work as part of a professional community to provide a technical support service to the project and students by following established working patterns, but there will be a need to resolve most problems without access to senior colleagues. The role may involve developing skills in a particular specialist area or planning and supervising the work of others.

If you have any questions prior to applying, please contact Professor Raj Kalaria (raj.kalaria@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

This is a full time fixed term role for 36 months. 

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