Research Fellow

Salary: As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £36,924

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to July 2028

Background

A Research Fellow with experience in behavioural neurogenetics of Drosophila is sought. The aim of the project is to investigate how experience and behaviour shape the brain throughout life, the impact that experience has on brain structure and how behaviour as a source of experience can impact it further. We aim to discover and test underlying molecular mechanisms that regulate structural brain plasticity and neurodegeneration, and link molecules to cells, neural circuits, neurites, synapses and behaviour. This project will use only the fruit-fly Drosophila as a model organism. This post focuses on behavioural neurogenetics of Drosophila adult, analysis and manipulation of neural circuits with confocal microscopy and could include molecular biology to generate transgenic tools. 

This project is integrated into a larger project involving two other postdocs, within a Wellcome Trust funded research programme led by Professor A Hidalgo into “A molecular switch between structural brain plasticity and neurodegeneration”. This overall project builds on our findings on structural plasticity, Drosophila neurotrophins and their Toll and Trk-like Kek receptors, from e.g. Foldi et al 2017 J Cell Biol 216, 1421; Li et al 2020 eLife 9:e52743; Sun et al 2024 eLife 13:RP102222.

Visit: https://more.bham.ac.uk/hidalgo/ 

Main Duties

• Work under the direct supervision of Professor Alicia Hidalgo, to carry out experiments, trouble-shoot, generate and analyse data, to deliver on this Wellcome Trust funded research project aims.
• Focus on, adapt, learn new methods and develop research objectives and engage in the intellectual aspects of the project, to enable cutting edge discoveries, under guidance of Professor Hidalgo.
• Design, plan and execute experiments to generate data for the project and analyse and interpret data.
• Collect research data through a variety of research methods, including scientific experimentation and keeping up with the relevant literature.
• Contribute to developing new experiments, techniques and methods, to trouble shooting and optimising protocols to ensure experiments run smoothly and to find creative solutions to solve scientific problems.
• Periodically and regularly write findings with figures to facilitate preparation of research publications.
• Apply knowledge and critical thinking to develop new intellectual understanding.
• Deal and aim to resolve problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and meeting project deadlines.

Person Specification

• First degree in Biology, Genetics, Neuroscience or related Life Sciences disciplines and a PhD (or near to completion) in Biology, Genetics, Neuroscience or related Life Sciences disciplines and/or equivalent research experience, are required. 
• Experience and skills in working with and coding in appropriate software for analysis of behaviour, e.g. R, MatLab and/or related, data curation and storage in open source sites, access to platforms and databases are desirable.
• Experience working with Drosophila behavioural neurogenetics would be an advantage.
• Skills in immunohystochemistry, laser scanning confocal microscopy and imaging. 

Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Alicia Hidalgo, email: a.hidalgo@bham.ac.uk or telephone 0121 4145416 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

Closes: 16/03/2025

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