Research Associate in Improving Cerebral Blood Flow in Vascular Dementia

Job reference: BMH-028445
Salary: £37,174 to £40,497 per annum, depending on relevant experience
Faculty/Organisational unit: Biology, Medicine Health
Location: Oxford Road
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Division of Cardiovascular Sciences
Hours per week: 1 FTE
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 14/04/2025
Contract duration: Fixed term for 36 months
School/Directorate: School of Medical Sciences

An exciting opportunity exists to carry out a BHF funded 3-year postdoctoral project to determine the effectiveness of a novel treatment option for hypertension-induced vascular dementia. The position will be in the Microvascular@Manchester group (microvascularmanchester.com) under the guidance of Dr Harry Pritchard and Professor Adam Greenstein, but also Professor Stuart Allan and Dr Ingo Schiessl of the Brain Inflammation Group (braininflamelab.org). The post will be based within the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Manchester and the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre.

The research follows on from the recent work from the Microvascular@Manchester group into the pathways underlying the reduction in cerebral blood flow in hypertension-induced vascular dementia (www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2307513120). The appointed person will work with cerebral arteries from a model of hypertension-induced cognitive decline, using both ex vivo and in vivo approaches. The goal is to determine if we restore ion channel activity in pail artery smooth muscle cells, will this improve arterial diameter control, cerebral blood flow and cognitive function. This research will utilise electrophysiology of freshly dissociated vascular smooth muscle cells from cerebral arteries but also native small artery calcium imaging and pressure myography. Additionally, in vivo approaches to measure cerebral blood flow will use cutting edge technologies including function ultrasound and multi-photon imaging. Cognitive function will be determined using established behavioural tests. For candidates who do not have a background in all of the techniques, full training will be provided. As well as leading a project, the successful post-doctoral researcher will also be given fantastic opportunities to collaborate on other projects within the lab and/or within The Manchester British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence.

Successful candidates may be subject to pre-employment screening carried out on our behalf by a third party. The offer of employment will be dependent on the successful candidate passing that screening. Whilst you will be required to provide express consent at a later stage, by continuing with your application now you acknowledge that you are aware that such screening will take place, and agree to take part in the process.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Dr Harry Pritchard

Email: harry.pritchard@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support: jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars including job description and person specification are available on the University of Manchester website - click on the 'Apply' button above to find out more.

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