Job Description

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Job Title: Research Fellow, Computational Biologist (Life Sciences Institute, Neurobiology)
Posting Start Date: 01/12/2025
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Join Professor Patani's distinguished laboratory within the Life Sciences Institute's Neurobiology division to advance research in motor neuron disease, particularly Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This pivotal role centres on elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive ALS pathogenesis by leveraging cutting-edge methodologies, including the use of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The successful candidate will be instrumental in dissecting disease mechanisms across various relevant neural cell types, such as motor neurons, astrocytes, and microglia, thereby contributing to transformative insights in neurodegenerative disease biology
The Research Fellow will spearhead a strategically designed research programme focused on understanding the nexus between genomic instability and altered RNA metabolism in ALS. This involves close collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, including experimental biologists and computational data scientists, to design and execute sophisticated experiments. The role entails employing state-of-the-art molecular techniques alongside innovative sequencing technologies, facilitated by partnership with the Boulton Laboratory at the Francis Crick Institute, to investigate the functional interplay within pathological pathways
Key Responsibilities:

• Conceive, design, and manage comprehensive research initiatives aligned with strategic objectives, ensuring rigorous methodological standards and adherence to timelines.
• Collaborate dynamically with multidisciplinary teams to integrate experimental findings and data analytics, fostering a seamless progression of research activities.
• Lead the establishment and optimisation of complex experimental protocols, overseeing laboratory workflows and providing mentorship and supervision to junior researchers and students.
• Maintain meticulous documentation of experimental data, perform robust analyses, and contribute substantively to the preparation of manuscripts for submission to leading scientific journals.
• Present research outcomes at national and international symposia, fostering knowledge exchange and networking within the global neuroscience community.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of teaching modules linked to current research themes, enriching academic programmes and promoting a collaborative learning environment.
• Uphold exemplary standards in record keeping, data confidentiality, and laboratory best practices, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and regulatory mandates.
• Participate actively in departmental initiatives, institutional meetings, and contribute to strategic planning, promoting sustainability and efficient resource utilisation in line with organisational goals.

Qualifications
Ideal candidates will possess a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, or a closely related discipline, complemented by comprehensive expertise in ALS research. Profound familiarity with human iPSC technology, including differentiation into neural subtypes and experience with mouse models of ALS, is essential. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in advanced molecular biology techniques and be adept at analyzing high-throughput datasets such as RNA sequencing and imaging data.
Experience working with human post-mortem tissue to corroborate experimental findings is highly desirable, as is competence in computational biology through coding skills tailored to bioinformatics analyses. A track record of supervising postgraduate students or early career researchers is important, evidencing leadership and mentoring capabilities.
Applicants must showcase a robust publication history in peer-reviewed, high-impact journals, coupled with a recognized independent research profile at national and international levels. Evidence of active engagement in the scientific community via conference presentations and collaborative projects will be considered an asset.
Core Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to independently prioritise and manage multiple complex tasks to meet rigorous deadlines.
• Fluent oral and written communication, capable of conveying complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences and contributing effectively to collaborative discussions.
• Strong problem-solving aptitude, demonstrating initiative and resourcefulness in experimental design, troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
• A commitment to fostering an inclusive research culture, enthusiastic about mentoring and actively supporting the development of emerging researchers.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams, adaptable and eager to acquire new skills and knowledge.
• Experience in university-level lecturing or teaching, contributing to curriculum development and student engagement in scientific disciplines.

We are seeking candidates who are passionate about contributing to world-leading research in molecular neuroscience and dedicated to advancing understanding of ALS to ultimately inform therapeutic innovation.

Skills Required