Opportunities

Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Synaptic Neuropharmacology

Grade 7: £35,308-£43,155 per annum

Department of Pharmacology, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT

Are you seeking a postdoctoral post in the field of neuroscience? This 3 year post-doctoral position is funded by MRC-AMED, in the group of Professor Nigel Emptage. The project, entitled ‘An interrogation of synaptic dysfunctions arising from human cognitive disease gene mutations using opto-physiological and neurochemical strategies’ aims to explore how the pattern of synaptic engrams changes in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

The work will involve in vivo imaging of activated synapses following the establishment of a novel memories in rodents and rodent AD models. The work will be conducted in collaboration with Professor Haruhiko Bito’s laboratory (Tokyo). Professor Bito will furnish the project with new genetically expressed optical probes that permit selective tagging of activated synapses.

In order to conduct this work, you will need a good knowledge of neuroscience, and demonstrable in vivo imaging experience. It will also be helpful if you have experience in training animals in simple behavioural tasks.

You should hold, or be close to completion, a PhD/DPhil in Neuroscience or a related discipline. You must be competent in in vivo brain imaging and should have proven expertise in fluorescence microscopy, eg two-photo microscopy. You should also be able to demonstrate an ability to manage your own academic research, previous experience of contributions to publications/presentations, and an ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation.

Expertise in the training of rodents in simple memory tasks, and a Home Office Personal Licence, would be an advantage.

The post is fixed-term for three years, funded by MRC-AMED, and is available immediately.

The closing date for applications is 12noon on Wednesday 21 June 2023.

Apply via the University website