Research Associate - Cardiff, United Kingdom - Cardiff University

Cardiff University

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Cardiff, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

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Tom O´Connor

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Description

Advert

Research Associate

UK Dementia Research Institute Cardiff

School of Medicine

College of Biomedical and Life Sciences
Applications are invited for a Research Associate in Neuroinflammation/Complement Biology at Cardiff University School of Medicine.

We are recruiting a postdoctoral Research Associate, in the Dementia Research Institute (DRI) to work for 2 years on an exciting translational project entitled 'Identification of brainpenetrant complement membrane attack inhibitors for therapy of dementia.' Membrane attack complex (MAC) is the final stage of complement cascade activation. MAC assembles on cell surfaces and kills cells by lysis, which drives inflammation; brain inflammation is a critical pathological driver of Alzheimer's and other dementias. Although the damaging role of complement, and specifically the MAC, in inflammatory diseases is well known, and there is abundant interest in the use of anticomplement drugs to treat brain diseases, currently there are no anticomplement drugs suited for the therapy of AD; none of the offtheshelf drugs can enter the brain. In this context, a small molecule, brain penetrant drug would have distinct advantages.
In this project we will develop a highthroughput screening assay that will accelerate antiMAC drug discovery, allowing quick and efficient testing of existing drug libraries to identify small molecules that inhibit MAC and can enter the brain. The work will include high throughput screening, biochemical methods for ligand binding (e.g. surface plasmon resonance), functional assays (e.g. complement haemolysis) and compound optimisation. The work will enable proofofconcept testing in appropriate AD models, laying the foundation for future human therapies.
The postholder will be based in the Cardiff-DRI and will frequently visit the Oxford Drug Discovery Institute (ODDI) to transfer screening assays onto automated platforms and to learn about and assist with highthroughput compound screening. This project will be led by Dr. Wioleta Zelek at Cardiff DRI and by Dr. Emma Murphy at ODDI.This post is full time (35 hours per week), available from 1st July 2023 and is fixed term until 30th June 2025.

Salary:

£36,333 - £43,155 per annum (Grade 6)

Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.
Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (including bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more.

It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter
Date advert posted:
Wednesday, 19 April 2023

Closing date:
Sunday, 7 May 2023

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published.

More information is available at:
Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research- To conduct research within complement biology and neuroinflammation and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.

To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
To conduct high throughput screening, biochemical methods for ligand binding, functional assays and compound optimisation
To develop a highthroughput screening assay that will accelerate antiMAC drug discovery, allowing quick and efficient testing of existing drug libraries
To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely r