Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Neuron and Astrocyte Communication in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) Models of Neurodegenerative Disease

We have an exciting opportunity to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the newly established multidisciplinary Oxford-GSK Institute for Molecular & Computational Medicine (IMCM) operating within the Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM) in collaboration with the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience (NDCN), Sir William Dunn School of Pathology and Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG).

The institute aims to improve tools in, and knowledge from, genetics, genomics, molecular and single-cell biology, spatial imaging, machine learning and novel methods of data handling to study the pattern of diseases in new ways. The Lang Lab is an inclusive environment with a focus on positive and proactive mentorship, teamwork, and scientific creativity. In this role you will undertake a multidisciplinary approach to understand mechanisms of communication between dopamine neurons and astrocytes in health and neurodegenerative disease.

You will be responsible for performing monocultures and microfluidic co-culture of iPSC-derived dopamine neurons and astrocytes from Parkinson’s patients and controls, as well as performing neuronal and astrocyte differentiation of iPSCs from Parkinson’s patients and controls. You will also be tasked with utilizing single-cell, bulk and long-read RNA-sequencing approaches to look at gene expression changes to identify proteins/pathways involved in iPSC-derived neuron-astrocyte support or damage. You will be responsible for contributing ideas for new research projects, developing ideas and preliminary data for generating research income and presenting detailed research proposals to senior researchers.

To be successful in this role, you will hold a PhD/D.Phil (or close to completion) in Neuroscience, Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Genetics/Genomics, or related areas along with experience in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal models. You will have experience in cell culture, molecular and cell biology, protein biochemistry, and setting up cellular assays, including imaging-based experiments. You will also have the knowledge of bulk or single-cell RNA-sequencing techniques and of CRISPR-Cas9 knockdown techniques. Finally, you will have excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience.

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract for 3 years and is funded by GSK. 

Only applications received before 12 midday on Wednesday 14 August 2024 will be considered. Interviews to be held on Tuesday 27 August 2024. Please quote 174327 on all correspondence.

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