Research Associate

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Postdoctoral Research Associate to join an exciting collaborative research project at the translational medicine interface in Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) in the team of Prof Heather Mortiboys in collaboration with Professor Chris McDermott, Dr Channa Hewamadduma and Dr Andrew Grierson at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN). The project is funded by LifeArc and at the cutting edge of translational science research. The project focuses on investigating mitochondrial biology in patient derived fibroblasts from HSP patients, in addition to transforming some of these fibroblasts into stem cells and differentiating into neurons. The project will utilize state of the art high content imaging techniques and biochemistry to investigate mitochondrial phenotypes in patient cells and then identify small molecules which can restore the mitochondrial abnormalities. The patient cells are from a clinically well characterized cohort of patients, the cellular phenotype will be correlated to both genetic and clinical information. We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher with experience in tissue culture skills, ideally primary cells, imaging expertise and analysis. Experience and knowledge of mitochondrial biology will be advantageous. You should be passionate about neurodegenerative disease research, ideally with a track record of translational research in this area. Your role will be embedded in a very dynamic research group. Team spirit and an impeccable work ethic is essential.

You will be a practically skilled, well organized and committed Postdoctoral Researcher who will join a team to investigate mitochondrial pathways related to specific gene mutations in HSP patient derived cells.

You will conduct laboratory research on a semi-independent basis under direction of the principle investigator, focusing particularly on tissue culture, high content imaging and mitochondrial cellular assays. You will be expected to: design, execute and evaluate experiments; keep excellent experimental records; prepare reports regularly and feed back to the funder and collaborators in regular conference calls and written reports. You are also expected to contribute to the preparation of scientific manuscripts, attend and deliver seminars; locally, nationally and internationally.

You should be strongly motivated, self-driven, able to accept direction and be an excellent team player. Good communication, written and interpersonal skills are expected.

This post is fixed-term for 12 months and is available immediately. Salary will be competitive and will be set at the appropriate point on the Postdoctoral Research Associate scale.

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