Overview
Research Assistant – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS
About us:
The School of Neuroscience is UK’s 2nd largest Neuroscience school with over 500 researchers and 200 PhD students. It is one of three schools at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. We are ranked 4th in the world for the total number of publications in neuroscience, 4th for the number of publication outputs in top 5% citations in neuroscience, and 4th for top 5% citations in neurology.
CDN is one of four departments in the School of Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience and is located at Guy’s campus. Researchers have access to support facilities in genotyping, molecular biology and Drosophila work. CDN has close partnership with the Medical Research Council (MRC) and CDN researchers, together with clinical researchers from King’s, make up the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
About the role:
This post consists of providing support on ARUK-funded research investigating the role of local regulation of mRNAs in neuronal and synaptic functions in healthy and neurodegenerative brains, using zebrafish and mammalian cell culture models.
The candidate should hold a Master’s degree in Neuroscience or a related biological science, and previous wet-lab research experience is essential.
The candidate will gain experience in a range of wet-lab techniques using zebrafish embryos and adult brain tissue to investigate how RNA is locally regulated in neurites, how this is disrupted in neurodegeneration, and mechanisms that promote synapse resilience and healthy nervous system ageing.
Proactive and motivated, with strong organisational skills and the ability to identify technical problems and implement effective solutions.
This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an a fixed term contract for 1 year, with the potential to renew each year for up to 3 years or until grant funding end date.
Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.
About you:
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
- Master’s degree in Neuroscience or a related biological science
- Wet-lab research experience
- Strong knowledge of brain development, cell biology and neurodegeneration.
- Skills in using animal models or cells in culture
- Proactive and motivated, with strong organizational skills, to complete tasks efficiently where possible
- Ability to identify technical problems and implement effective solutions
- Experience using data analysis tools (e.g. Image/JFiJi)
- Microscopy skills
Desirable criteria
- Experience in zebrafish biology
- Experience in embryo injections
- Skills in proteomics
- Experience using AI powered tools such as AlphaFold
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
