Research Assistant

Dementia is the greatest health challenge of our century.

To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it.

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward research to fill this gap.

We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of 700 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, with laboratory-based research groups located at University College London, the University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, Edinburgh University, Imperial College London and King’s College London.

Centre context

King’s 

Researchers at the UK DRI at King’s use innovative approaches to explore the biological mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Their goal is to defeat dementia by uncovering vital new knowledge that will lead to the design of smarter diagnostics and effective treatments. The team aim to understand the fundamental biological processes involved in dementia at a molecular level – and to use that knowledge to design new ways to diagnose and treat disease more precisely.

The group of Dr Marc-David Ruepp is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual for a full-time research assistant position to support their research. This position will involve significant work in molecular cloning, analysis of changes in gene expression by RT-PCR and qPCR, mammalian cell culture, and splicing modulation and thus requires consistency and attention to detail, as well as a willingness for occasional weekend work in the context of cellular work. The post-holder will also provide support for general organisational and technical duties to allow the smooth and efficient running of the lab.

Dr Marc-David Ruepp’s group works on RNA metabolism in health and disease with a specific focus on the two neurodegenerative diseases frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This position will provide valuable research support and contribute to the understanding of ALS/FTD in order to find effective therapeutic strategies.

• Maintenance of cell cell cultures


• Perform molecular biology, biochemistry, and imaging assays


• Maintaining accurate laboratory records


• Manage the ordering of laboratory supplies and equipment


• Liaising with other technical staff to service and maintain stocks and equipment


• Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be requested by Dr Marc-David Ruepp


• Requires flexibility for occasional weekend work

Qualifications

• BSc/MSci in Neuroscience or related discipline

Essential Skills

• Experience in mammalian cell culture


• Experience in molecular biology


• Experience in preparing buffers and media


• Experience in molecular biology: Nucleic acid isolation, RT, qPCR


• Experience in splicing modulation using modified snRNAs


• Experience in C++, Java, R and Graph Pad Prism

As agreed.

As Agreed.

As agreed.

Dementia is the greatest health challenge of our century.

To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it.

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward research to fill this gap.

We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of 700 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, with laboratory-based research groups located at University College London, the University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, Edinburgh University, Imperial College London and King’s College London.

Researchers at the UK DRI King's College use innovative approaches to explore the biological mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Their goal is to defeat dementia by uncovering vital new knowledge that will lead to the design of smarter diagnostics and effective treatments. The team aim to understand the fundamental biological processes involved in dementia at a molecular level – and to use that knowledge to design new ways to diagnose and treat disease more precisely.

Professor Jernej Ule is seeking an undergraduate student to work on an EMY placement for a year, joining a team working on the mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caused by mutations in RNA binding proteins. The group focuses on transcriptomic approaches to study RNP assembly and its defects in disease.

 

The post holder will contribute to the project, in particular the culture of cellular models of disease, transcriptomic studies of protein-RNA interactions and analysis of resulting datasets.

The post is based at the UK DRI, https://ukdri.ac.uk/, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute on the Denmark Hill Campus

Working towards BSc in Neuroscience or equivalent biological field

Key Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory work to optimise the efficiency of our preclinical studies.


• Deliver high-quality data from our preclinical studies including:


• Image tissues using slide scanning and confocal microscopes


• Undertake image analysis using advanced analytical software tools


• An ability to work independently and within a team


• Attention to detail and high standards of accuracy in all work


• Conscientious and organised


• Ability to time manage appropriately


• Willing to work occasionally during weekends and bank holidays
  
   

Essential criteria

• Quantitative image analytical software and statistical analyses