Research Associate in Neuropathology and Protein Seeding Assays

Overview

In this role you will help develop next-generation models to study how protein aggregates drive neurodegenerative disease. You will work within a cross-disciplinary project aimed at establishing RT-QuIC assays and novel in situ seeding immunodetection (isSID) technologies on human brain tissue and CSF. The work combines neuropathology, biochemistry, assay development and advanced imaging to map where disease-driving aggregates initiate and propagate. This position offers the chance to lead methodological innovation and contribute to high-impact publications.

Pay / Benefits

• full-time fixed term post
• career development days
• generous annual leave
• pension scheme
• access to brain bank
• opportunities for promotion and progression

Responsibilities

• Establish and optimise RT-QuIC assays for TDP-43 and beta-amyloid using brain tissue and CSF
• Develop and apply isSID assays on human post-mortem brain tissue sections
• Prepare and characterize human brain homogenates and samples from neurodegenerative cohorts
• Perform immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and quantitative microscopy
• Generate and analyse whole-slide imaging and confocal microscopy data
• Correlate seeding activity with neuropathology and clinical information
• Optimise workflows and establish SOPs for new assays
• Prepare manuscripts and present findings; contribute to grant applications

Key requirements

• PhD (or near completion) in neuroscience, neuropathology, molecular biology, protein biochemistry or related discipline
• Experience with protein-focused experimental research
• Experience with immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence or related tissue-based methods
• Experience with quantitative microscopy and image analysis
• Experience designing, troubleshooting and optimising laboratory assays
• Ability to independently plan and execute experimental work
• Evidence of scientific productivity (publications, preprints or equivalent outputs)

• independence
• problem-solving
• effective communication
• RT-QuIC
• PMCA or related seeding amplification assays
• immunohistochemistry

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