Research Associate - Microfluidics (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 28 February 2026 in the first instance.

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position to work on the development and applications of a microfluidic platform for analysing protein aggregation, with a focus on developing cutting-edge microfluidic techniques for high-throughput detection, a project funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The PDRA 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 PDRA will design and apply microfluidics techniques towards integration into an automated workflow that will serve as a biophysical toolkit for real-time characterisation of alpha-synuclein aggregation at a single aggregate resolution. The PDRA should have a relevant specialist area in droplet-based microfluidics, including design, fabrication, operation and troubleshooting of microfluidic systems, flow control strategies and high-throughput technologies. A background in engineering, life sciences and protein aggregation assays is an advantage.

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

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Appointment at the Research Associate level is dependent on the award of a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at the Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the award of the PhD has been confirmed.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and publications list 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 MA41307 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.

Further information
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