Research Assistant - Analysing protein aggregation (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 year in the first instance.

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant (RA) position to work on the development and applications of a microfluidic platform for analysing protein aggregation, with a focus on protein expression, purification and quality control, a project funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The RA will work in the group of Professor Tuomas Knowles in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge.

The aim of this interdisciplinary project is to develop an approach for detecting biomarkers that allow early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, provide a means to track disease progression, and support the development of future therapeutics. A particularly attractive route to achieve this objective is to directly measure the seeding activity of misfolded and aggregated forms of the central protein driving Parkinson's disease (PD), alpha-synuclein. Yet, the ability to measure and quantify the seeding activity of pathological aggregates in clinical samples has remained elusive. Here, we propose to address this challenge by developing a quantitative and practical seeding assay in digital format which allows better quantification. Success with this project will open a platform and path towards quantitative PD biomarker detection.

The project aims to develop a novel toolbox enabling the digital quantification of single aggregates supporting PD diagnosis and following disease progression. To this end, the RA will combine cell culture assays with microfluidic techniques to develop a biophysical toolkit that allows real-time characterisation of alpha-synuclein aggregation at a single aggregate resolution.

The RA should be educated to first degree level and have a relevant specialist area, including cell culture, protein expression and purification techniques (ion exchange, size exclusion chromatography) and protein aggregation assays. Prior experience with microfluidics is an advantage but not required.

Applicants will be expected to work in an interdisciplinary environment, interact and communicate effectively with a team of scientists with a wide range of expertise in biophysics and physical chemistry.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter in the upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

For queries relating to your application or the application process, please contact Echo Williamson via email on [email protected]

Please quote reference MA40994 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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