Research Associate - Therapies for Renal Ciliopathies

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.

The Role
Following recent success in securing an EU HORIZON funded programme called Therapies for Renal Ciliopathies (TheRaCil, https://theracil.eu/), we are seeking a Research Associate to join our internationally renowned multi-disciplinary team in Newcastle.

This position provides an opportunity for an outstanding Research Associate to develop their career within a team that brings together clinicians and academics in a vibrant translational research environment that works closely with patients and their families.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/siblings-who-developed-kidney-failure-17535415

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/health/newcastle-university-kidney-research-sayer-15431046

Three Hexham siblings with kidney failure finally get answers thanks to Newcastle University genetics team - Chronicle Live

You will be skilled in kidney research, translational research and have demonstrable experience with murine models of kidney development/disease, with a recent PhD in this area.

We are looking for an exceptional individual able to lead on laboratory molecular techniques as well as perform in vivo experiments and interpret the findings.

Mutations affecting the structure/function of primary cilia cause a heterogenous group of complex disorders that typically progress to end stage renal failure (ESFR) with dialysis and transplantation the only current treatment. Renal ciliopathies account for 10% of all patients with kidney failure and represent the main cause of ESRF during childhood. Although mutations in over 40 genes have been shown to underlie the renal ciliopathies, extensive genotype:phenotype heterogeneity means it is difficult to predict the severity of the disease and the rate of progression to ESRF. TheRaCil, aims to use models of renal ciliopathy diseases to drive translational research and bring treatments to the clinic within the next 5 years, see Ramsbottom SA, Molinari E, Srivastava S, Silberman F, Henry C, Alkanderi S, Devlin LA, White K, Steel DH, Saunier S, Miles CG, Sayer JA. Targeted exon skipping of a CEP290 mutation rescues Joubert syndrome phenotypes in vitro and in a murine model. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2018 115(49):12489-12494. PMID: 30446612; Ramsbottom SA, Thelwall PE, Wood KM, Clowry GJ, Devlin LA, Silbermann F, Spiewak HL, Shril S, Molinari E, Hildebrandt F, Gunay-Aygun M, Saunier S, Cordell HJ, Sayer JA, Miles CG. Mouse genetics reveals Barttin as a genetic modifier of Joubert syndrome. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2020 117(2):1113-1118. PMID: 31879347; and Garcia H, Serafin AS, Silbermann F, Porée E, Viau A, Mahaut C, Billot K, Birgy É, Garfa-Traore M, Roy S, Ceccarelli S, Mehraz M, Rodriguez PC, Deleglise B, Furio L, Jabot-Hanin F, Cagnard N, Del Nery E, Fila M, Sin-Monnot S, Antignac C, Lyonnet S, Krug P, Salomon R, Annereau JP, Benmerah A, Delous M, Briseño-Roa L, Saunier S. Agonists of prostaglandin E2 receptors as potential first in class treatment for nephronophthisis and related ciliopathies. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2022 119(18):e2115960119. PMID: 35482924.

This post is fixed term for a period of 24 months in the first instance.

Please note that if you are successful to this role, you will require medical clearance before you can commence in the role.

For informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Professor John Sayer

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/

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