Ref: 500
Starting at £31,656 and rising to £37,768 per annum
Full time, fixed term for 24 months
The School of Life Sciences is at the forefront of research in the biological sciences in the UK, coming in the top 10 in the REF 2014.
Applications are invited for a Research Fellow position funded by the Motor Neurone Disease Association to identify non-coding RNAs (including microRNAs) in cerebrospinal fluid and serum, which have potential as biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; more commonly known as motor neurone disease). This exciting project will utilize the novel RNA-seq technology approach to detect all small non-coding RNAs, including known and as yet unknown microRNAs, in a cohort of serum and cerebrospinal fluid from ALS patients and controls. The most promising non-coding RNA biomarkers with significant sensitivity and specificity for potential use in the diagnosis and/or prognosis of ALS will be used in monitoring of drug efficacy in ALS clinical trials. These new RNA biomarkers may permit earlier diagnosis e.g. in those without classical examination findings at presentation, and assist in drug development through novel pathway discovery. We seek a postdoctoral scientist with a strong background in RNA and molecular biology techniques who is capable of working as part of a small team as well as the ability to organise and direct their work within a larger collaboration. The successful candidate will join research groups of Dr Majid Hafezparast, Dr Sarah Newbury, and Professor Nigel Leigh at the University of Sussex and Brighton and Sussex Medical School, in collaboration with Dr Martin Turner at the University of Oxford. An overview of research within Sussex Neuroscience and Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Centre at the University of Sussex could be found at
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/sussexneuroscience/schools/centres and
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/neurodeg/ The School is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and currently holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award. Applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in science and engineering at Sussex. The School of Life Sciences welcomes applications to academic posts from candidates who wish to work part-time or as job-sharers.
The University offers various schemes to provide real benefits to parents; these can be found at
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/humanresources/personnel/familyfriendlypoliciesPotential candidates are strongly encouraged to make informal contact with Dr Majid Hafezparast (
[email protected]) before applying.
Applications should be accompanied by a full CV, a statement of research interests and aspirations (not more than 4 pages), and the names of three academic referees.
Closing date for applications: 3 January 2016
Interviews will be held on: Mid-January 2016
Expected Start date: 01 April 2016
For full details and how to apply see
www.sussex.ac.uk/jobs The University of Sussex is committed to equality of opportunity
