Research Fellow in Mitochondrial Medicine

About us

The Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences is a world-leading group that brings together expertise across the clinical and basic science spectrum of the physiology and pathology of rare and acquired neurodegenerative disorders.

Located within the Department is the research group led by Professors Spinazzola and Holt, two leaders in the field of mitochondrial medicine. Early in their careers, they identified the first pathological mutations in human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as well as the first nuclear gene associated with mtDNA instability and disease. Since then, the group has leveraged their knowledge of the fundamental molecular basis of mitochondrial disorders to identify potential therapies for these currently incurable diseases, which now they are testing in in vitro and in vivo models of human mtDNA disorders.

About the role

We are now recruiting a Research Fellow to join Professors Spinazzola and Holt’s research group to investigate the mechanism of action of compounds that could serve as treatments for mitochondrial diseases.

Specifically, the fellow will investigate compounds to

• Purge cells of deleterious mtDNA molecules (PMID: 34873176; 35478201; 38402076).
• Reverse mtDNA loss (PMID: 26760297 and manuscript submitted).

The project’s main goals are to:

• Determine the effects of small molecules on the cell types and tissues most affected in mitochondrial DNA disorders.
• Define the metabolic configuration that favours the selection of the functional mtDNAs.
• Characterise the key molecular features and series of events that lead from mitochondrial dysfunction to organ pathology and disease.

You will join a dedicated team of scientists and as a key member of the research team, and you will employ targeted and omic approaches to investigate patient-derived materials (fibroblasts and stem cell derived models) and transgenic mice of mitochondrial DNA disorders. The new knowledge will advance the projects towards translational medicine studies in human subjects affected by a range of mtDNA disorders.

The role is available from 03 March 2025 and is funded by grants awarded to Professors Spinazzola and Holt until 31 January 2027 in the first instance.

For a full job description and to apply for this role please visit UCL’s online recruitment portal and search using vacancy reference B02-08239.

About you

You will hold a PhD or MD with a background in Neuroscience, Developmental Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related field. Expertise in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, a strong background in nutrient metabolism regulation and metabolome-proteome analysis, and experience with stem cell-derived models are required. Experience in brain analysis is desirable.

What we offer

Appointment as Research Fellow is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be as Research Assistant (salary £38,357 - £41,005 per annum) with appointment as Research Fellow being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on EDI initiatives.

Customer advert reference: B02-08239

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