Postdoctoral Research Assistant - UOD1882

We are recruiting for a Grade 7 Postdoctoral Researcher. This position is for 12 months.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing research team at the University of Dundee. David Koss and his team are focused on understanding the emerging role of DNA damage in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, this Postdoctoral Research Assistant role will build on our recent findings of novel nuclear alpha-synuclein (aSyn) pathology and elevated DNA damage in Dementia with Lewy bodies (Koss et al., 2025, Mol. Neurodegener.). The project will use post-mortem human brain tissue and chromatin immunoprecipitation in combination with Next-Gen genomic sequencing to 1) identify physiological genomic loci of aSyn binding and establish disease associated alteration and 2) map genomic loci enriched with double strand break DNA damage. An initial 12-month plan of funding, awarded from the Lewy Body Society is in place. It is hoped that additional funding will be available to build upon this project.

Having recently been established in 2023, this opportunity represents a chance to join a small team within its formative early years. The lab is keen to support early-stage researchers to maximise their potential and is dedicated to building a supportive and inclusive environment. Overall, it is hoped that our collective passion for the work can exist alongside the fun and excitement of the scientific process. The group is already actively publishing and enjoying numerous collaborations within the UK and Europe. We now seek a talented scientist to join the team, from which together we can progress our current understanding of how DNA damage facilitates neurodegenerative diseases and ultimately develop strategies for future therapeutic targets.

Your priorities will include:

• Carrying out laboratory-based research to a high standard.
• Performing valid and effective analysis of data from a variety of experimental procedures.
• Developing, refining, and optimising various methodological procedures from existing protocols.
• Discussing and contributing to the direction of the research project.
• Maintaining a current grasp of relevant research literature.
• Working under supervision of the principal investigators but assuming responsibility for key project aspects.
• Working independently on the project but also working toward overall goals as part of a team.
• Contributing to group meetings and communicating with external collaborators.
• Contributing to work dissemination in both written, oral and poster-based formats.

A strong candidate will have:

• A PhD or will been about to obtain a PhD in a relevant subject, preferably in pathology/mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases.
• Knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia with Lewy bodies or DNA damage and DNA damage repair pathways.
• Experience in molecular techniques, particularly chromatin-immunoprecipitation.
• Experience in genomics and bioinformatics will be considered extremely advantageous.
• Good written and oral presentation skills.
• The willingness to drive an independent research project.
• A belief in the importance of supporting team members and building an enjoyable research community.
• A belief in the importance of approaching research with transparency and honesty with a commitment to communicate this to the public.

Those interested in applying for this position are encouraged to contact Dave Koss (dkoss001@dundee.ac.uk) for further information.

The diversity of our staff and students helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for undergraduate, postgraduate and distance learning. Family friendly policies, staff networks for BME, Disabled and LGBT staff, membership of Athena SWAN, the ECU Race Equality Charter and Stonewall as well a full range of disability services, create an enjoyable and inclusive place to work.