Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
An exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow has arisen in the Neuroplasticity and Disease Group of the MRC Clinical Sciences Centre at Imperial College London. The successful candidate will study the molecular details controlling cell type specific synaptic dynamics in the adult brain (De Paola et al, 2003, Nature Neur. 6, 491-500; De Paola et al. 2006, Neuron 49, 861-875). Our expectation is that this will inform us on the key biochemical pathways that suppress, maintain or promote structural plasticity in specific cortical circuits and synapses. This project has potential clinical value as synaptic reorganization plays a key role in neurodegeneration and acute brain injury.
The project will make use of both in vitro and in vivo procedures and novel conditional mutants. In particular you will work in a team, which employs in vivo 2-photon microscopy together with behavioral assays and a wide range of transgenic, molecular, and cell biology techniques, including single-cell DNA electroporation, FACS, RT-PCR, slice cultures, gene gun transfection and 3D anatomical reconstructions. The broad aim is to advance our knowledge of cortical plasticity and its relevance to neuropathological processes by defining the molecular basis and functional roles of synaptic structural dynamics (for more information visit the Neuroplasticity and Disease Group web site).
Requirements for the position:
PhD degree in Molecular and/or Cell Biology or in disciplines related to neuroscience.
Expertise: Preferably a sound background in advanced molecular biology techniques (e.g. RNAi, laser capture micro dissection, genomics, gene expression analysis).
Desirable: live imaging.
We are looking for outstanding and motivated candidates with a strong interest in using imaging and molecular methods to study neuronal plasticity and its relevance to behavior and neuropathology.
This post is a Career Development Fellowship to support post-doctoral scientists in early or changed career training and help establish them as successful research scientists in their chosen field. The Clinical Sciences Centre (CSC) is an institute funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and is a division of the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London, a thriving research environment with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, including micro MRI and PET imaging.
For informal enquiries regarding the post please contact Dr Vincenzo De Paola (v.depaola@csc.mrc.ac.uk).
Applications are handled by the RCUK Shared Services Centre; to apply please visit our job board at https://ext.ssc.rcuk.ac.uk and complete an online application form. Applicants who would like to receive this advert in an alternative format (e.g. large print, Braille, audio or hard copy), or who are unable to apply online should contact us by telephone on 01793 867003, Please quote reference number IRC9909.
The MRC is an Equal Opportunities Employer
Final appointments will be subject to a pre employment screening
Application Deadline:
13 January 2011
Contact:
Hayley Page,
sscmrcrecruitment@ssc.rcuk.ac.uk
