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View Vacancy -- Post-Doctoral Training Fellow, Neurobiology - MGU 405
MRC Harwell is at the international forefront of the use of mouse genetics to study the relationship between genes and disease. The models we create and study are used to understand the disease processes that occur when a gene goes wrong.
Most human diseases have a significant genetic component - changes in the DNA of our genes contribute to the development of the disease. This is true for example for birth defects, diseases of childhood and chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, stroke, respiratory and psychiatric conditions that affect people of all ages, nationalities and classes. Diseases of ageing such as Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases are also a significant genetic burden on the human population.
We are seeking a talented postdoctoral researcher to join a newly-established research Programme between the MRC Harwell Institute and the University of Oxford studying novel cellular and mouse models of neurological disease. This is a 36-month training and development position for a postdoctoral scientist who has recently completed their doctoral studies. This Programme is headed by Peter Oliver, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Oxford, and the successful candidate will work alongside a Senior Investigator Scientist at the MRC Harwell Institute.
The successful applicant will use a combination of approaches to study the molecular mechanisms of neuronal cell death and dysfunction focussing on a family of proteins mutated in a group of inherited neurological disorders that also control the response of neurons to cellular stress (e.g. PMID 25753484 / 26668325). Under the supervision of the senior investigator, you will be responsible for carrying out the research, drafting publications and presenting the results at scientific meetings.
The techniques will include primary neuronal culture and microscopy, protein or RNA biology and rodent behavioural phenotyping. You will have support from the state-of-the-art facilities for cell biology and mouse phenotyping offered by the University of Oxford and MRC Harwell.
Education/Qualifications/Training required:
Essential:
- PhD in appropriate discipline, e.g. Genetics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry
- High motivation to pursue a career in academic research science
- The ability to work in a multi-disciplinary collaboration and drive independent research, particularly with technically demanding projects
- The ability to communicate well with colleagues working on neurological disease research in a different Institute
- A proven track-record in carrying out scientific research to an international standard, e.g. publications/presentations at meetings
Previous research experience required:
Essential:
Successful experience in either:
a) Rodent behavioural neuroscience and colony management or
b) Molecular and cellular biology or biochemistry
- Willingness to work hands-on with mouse models of disease
- A minimum of one peer-reviewed publication
Personal skills/behaviours/qualities:
- Interest and enthusiasm for neuroscience
- Excellent communication and organisation skills and an imaginative, flexible, pro-active approach
- Ability to work in a team, interacting with and helping to support a Senior Investigator Scientist
- Meticulous care in documenting laboratory protocols and results
- Ability to present clearly and at a professional level
- Proven writing skills
More information about MRC Harwell can be found at http://www.har.mrc.ac.uk/
For more information about the Oliver group:
https://www.dpag.ox.ac.uk/research/oliver-group
For informal enquiries regarding the project:
Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
This opportunity is closed to applications.