Post-Doctoral Research Assistant in Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma

Department: Blizard Institute
Salary: £40,223 per annum (Grade 4)
Reference: 1346
Location: Whitechapel
Date posted: 29 February 2024
Closing date: 14 March 2024

Further details and apply

About the Role

The Post-doctoral research assistant will study the relationship between a rare inherited neuropathy (Hereditary Sensory Neuropathy type 1 (HSN1)) and the much more common acquired diabetic neuropathy. Approximately 10% of the worldwide population are affected by type-2 diabetes, and of these, ~25% develop neuropathic pain. Despite the 100’s of millions worldwide that are affected by painful diabetic neuropathy, the cause of the pain is not understood, and does not correlate with diabetic control. I ran a large multidisciplinary project to study the pathophysiology of HSN1, which we published in 2021 (PMID: 34337561). There are distinct clinical and biochemical similarities between the rare HSN1 and painful diabetic neuropathy. The purpose of this position is to study the similarities in pathophysiology between these conditions using induced pluripotent stem-cell models, and in vivo animal models, with a purpose of understanding the cause of pain in diabetic neuropathy and potentially testing therapeutic agents.

The project will involve the differentiation of iPSCs reprogrammed from diabetic patients into sensory neurons and investigating them in a variety of manners including biochemical and functional assays. The position also is likely to involve in vivo analysis of diabetic mice, including behavioural assays and dissection.

The project is funded by the Rosetrees Trust for 3 years, between 2024 and 2027. The Research Assistant will report directly to Dr Alex Clark who is the PI for the study, and will become part of the Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma team headed by Prof Adina Michael-Titus. The Research Assistant will also play a key role in supporting the development of the project through dissemination and funding. 

About You

Candidates are expected to have a PhD (submitted, or near completion) in a relevant area, and have experience with the culture and differentiation of iPSCs.

About Queen Mary
At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

Our reformer heritage informs our conviction that great ideas can and should come from anywhere. It’s an approach that has brought results across the globe, from the communities of east London to the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits
In return, we offer 30 days’ leave per annum, access to a pension scheme, a season ticket loan scheme and competitive salaries. We also offer enhanced family friendly leave, and an on-site nursery at the Mile End campus. You will also work with a friendly team, with personal development opportunities.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability.

Further details and apply