Post-Doctoral Research Associate / Research Assistant

Vacancy Reference Number

ZE44012

Closing Date

8 Dec 2024

Salary

£36,924-£45,163

Address

UK DRI at The University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1TN

Duration

Fixed Term

Dementia is the greatest health challenge of our century. To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it. The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward research to fill this gap. We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of 700 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, with laboratory-based research groups located at University College London, the University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, Edinburgh University, Imperial College London and King's College London. Cambridge Developing new treatments that can prevent the onset of dementia or protect neurons from damage is hindered by our lack of knowledge in the fundamental causes and mechanisms behind neurodegeneration. Scientists at the UK DRI at Cambridge use cutting-edge approaches to build our understanding of the biological processes behind the earliest stages of neurodegeneration and ageing. They explore mechanisms causing the loss of vital connections between neurons and the pathways that drive repair of these connections, which are essential for memory formation and survival of brain cells and identify key molecular targets for translation into effective treatments to stop, slow or reverse dementia. Dr Maura Malpetti is looking for an enthusiastic Post-Doctoral Research Associate or Research Assistant to join her lab at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences of the University of Cambridge. The post is part of a Cambridge-based program aiming to investigate neuroinflammation in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and accelerate the development of treatments for dementia. To this end, we also recently established a multi-centre study, the UK-wide Open

Network for Frontotemporal dementia Inflammation Research (ON-FIRE), which involves data collection from 22 sites across the UK. The post will focus on the integration of novel PET and blood-based biomarkers of neuroinflammation, neuropathology and neurodegeneration, and clinical outcomes in models of disease progression in genetic and sporadic frontotemporal lobar degeneration. In this role, you will lead (i) PET imaging recruitment and data analysis in patients with frontotemporal dementia and progressive supranuclear palsy, (ii) the coordination of ON-FIRE and related studies on blood-based biomarkers. You will drive the project, develop and deliver the study's research objectives and be well equipped to present developments and key findings to relevant stakeholders.

How to apply: https://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/49140/

Further Information

For this post, you will have an undergraduate and/or a PhD in neurosciences, psychology, physiology or related discipline. You will have knowledge of neuroimaging, related research methods and applications, and project management skills. Experience in patient recruitment in research studies of dementia or mental health disorders would be advantageous. You will collaborate within a balanced team with post-doctoral scientists, clinical fellows, research nurses and students to ensure efficient research activities across the center.

Contact Details

For informal inquiries regarding the role, contact Dr Maura Malpetti (mm2243@medschl.cam.ac.uk).