Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Fixed-term until 30/04/2027, Full-time

The Cragg lab alongside other groups at Oxford (Wade-Martins and Magill), UCL (Kittler) and Ulm (Liss) are conducting a collaborative Wellcome Trust-funded research project to explore the physiological roles of Ca2+ in regulating dopamine transmission to gain insights into the roles of Ca2+ in Parkinson’s disease.

This project will exploit state-of-the-art tools to understand the roles of Ca2+ influx, storage and signalling within dopamine axons in health and disease. Our recently published data suggests that the roles of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are dynamically regulated across striatal territories in a manner that correlates with risk factors of Parkinson’s (Brimblecombe et al 2023, PMID: 37941514).

In this project, we will advance understanding of the downstream coupling of Ca2+ to mitochondrial function to better understand the selective vulnerability of a subset of DA neurons in Parkinson’s, and to inform druggable targets that could offer neuroprotective potential. We are now seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Scientist with a strong interest in Ca2+ biology to join us as part of this exciting collaboration.

Duties include adapting existing and developing new scientific techniques and experimental protocols; testing hypotheses and analysing scientific data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as appropriate; contributing ideas for new research projects and for generating research income.

You will have a strong background in electrophysiological and/or electrochemical and/or photometry techniques, used to investigate neural circuits or synapses of the central nervous system. Applicants must hold, or be close to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in a relevant area of neurobiological research.

The fixed term post is available from 01/05/2024. The post will be based in The Department of Physiology Anatomy & Genetics, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT

Informal enquiries may be directed to the DPAG HR Team – [email protected] / Professor Stephanie Cragg –[email protected]

Closing date for applications is midday on 12/04/2024.

Interviews are likely to be held on the week commencing 29/04/2024.

Applications are particularly welcome from women, black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

We, as a Department and Community, will be considerate and welcoming of all people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socio-economic background. We acknowledge societal inequalities and how these impact us, and those around us, personally and professionally. – DPAG Statement of Inclusion