Job ID: 87476

Research Assistant

Position: Technician

Deadline: 3 October 2022

Contract Length: 12 months initially with possibility to extend up to 36 months

City: Edinburgh

Country: United Kingdom

Institution: University of Edinburgh

Department: UK DRI/ Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences

Description:

Full-time (35 hours per week)

The Durrant lab (UK Dementia Research institute, University of Edinburgh) are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic research assistant interested in helping develop translational human and murine tissue models. Prior experience in sterile tissue culture, basic biochemical assays and motivation to assist high quality research into neurodegenerative diseases is essential. Further experience in acute/organotypic brain slices, microscopy, or working with human tissue are desirable. The candidate will have an undergraduate degree in neuroscience (or relevant biological science).  Informal enquiries are welcomed and can be made to Dr Claire Durrant (claire.durrant@ed.ac.uk).

The Opportunity:

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic team developing cutting edge translational methods to explore synapse loss in Alzheimer’s disease. As part of the Durrant lab, the research assistant will be linked with key stakeholders including the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), “Race Against Dementia (RAD)” and the James Dyson Foundation (who have funded this project). This project seeks to expand the use of living human brain tissue in Alzheimer’s disease research and develop tools to assess functional activity in living human brain tissue. The successful candidate will be a key link between clinical and research colleagues, assisting in the collection and processing of precious human samples. The candidate will play a major role in the day-to-day running of the brain slice lab with many opportunities to be involved in collecting data relating to mechanisms of synapse loss in Alzheimer’s disease. You will be a valued member of an enthusiastic and highly supportive team working in the heart of Edinburgh- recently awarded the title of “Best City in the World 2022” by Time Out.

Your skills and attributes for success:

  • An undergraduate degree in neuroscience (or relevant biological science) and an interest in being involved in Alzheimer’s disease research.
  • Experience with sterile technique and tissue culture maintenance.
  • Experience of basic biochemical assays relevant to neuroscience.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Prior experience in a “wet-lab” research environment and knowledge of good laboratory practice and general lab housekeeping.

The start date is flexible but ideally by Jan 2023.

For full details, job advert and description see: https://elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/5140/?utm_medium=jobshare