The University of Oxford is a complex and stimulating organisation, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence in research and teaching. It employs over 10,000 staff and has a student population of over 21,000.
Most staff are directly appointed and managed by one of the University’s 130 departments or other units within a highly devolved operational structure - this includes 5,900 ‘academic-related’ staff (postgraduate research, computing, senior library, and administrative staff) and 2,820 ‘support’ staff (including clerical, library, technical, and manual staff). There are also over 1,600 academic staff (professors, readers, lecturers), whose appointments are in the main overseen by a combination of broader divisional and local faculty board/departmental structures. Academics are generally all also employed by one of the 38 constituent colleges of the University as well as by the central University itself.
Post: Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Department of Pharmacology
The Department of Pharmacology is based in the University’s science area in the centre of Oxford. The Department houses around 180 researchers, postgraduate students and support staff, and has excellent facilities. The members of the Department, associated staff and visiting scientists are all engaged in the investigation of basic questions concerning the interaction of chemical substances with biological systems.
Areas that have been given priority in the Department include neuropharmacology, molecular pharmacology, cell signalling, cardiac pharmacology, and pharmacogenetics.
Research topic: Novel mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration
Principal Investigator / supervisor: Professor Susan Greenfield
The project is part of the Institute for the Future of the Mind, based within the Department of Pharmacology. This Institute forms part of Oxford University’s James Martin 21st Century School.
The project focuses on the role of acetylcholinesterase C-terminal peptides responsible for non-hydrolytic actions of AChE, in mechanisms of neurodegeneration. At the Institute for the Future of the Mind, our novel theory for neurodegeneration is unique in that it would account for previously unexplained and puzzling facts such as co-pathologies and selectivity for certain brain regions. This theory is that peptides, cleaved from AChE could exert trophic action in the developing brain that becomes toxic when aberrantly activated in maturity.
The project has the following main objectives:
1. To investigate the use of these peptides as a potential diagnostic i.e. to detect naturally occurring peptide in human blood and brain tissue from neurodegenerative patients and compare levels with that of controls.
2. To characterise the interactions of these peptides with a target receptor that has already been identified and in doing so identify potential drug targets.
Responsibilities/duties
Practical work
- Techniques involved with purification of peptides including HPLC and immunoaffinity purification.
- Tissue culture of immortalised and primary cell lines.
- Immunohistochemistry and various microscopy techniques.
- General molecular biology techniques including radio-ligand binding and enzyme assays.
- Familiarity with pharmacology and medicinal chemistry.
Additional responsibilities may also include:
* Supervision of project students.
* Up to 2 hours per week contributing to the Departments teaching load.
- Preparation of manuscripts in conjunction with collaborators and submission to peer-reviewed journals.
- Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars, either with other members of the group or alone. Present papers and posters at national and international conferences.
* Participating in James Martin 21st Century School activities.
* Carrying out any appropriate administrative duties associated with the work.
* Contributing to the general running of the laboratory.
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Essential
* PhD degree in biochemistry, pharmacology, neuroscience or a related biological discipline.
* Experience in the following techniques: HPLC, tissue culture (including primary cell lines), and immunohistochemistry.
* Experience of data management and statistical analysis using SPPS and S-plus.
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* Excellent writing and presentation skills.
* Excellent computer skills, including word-processing, spreadsheet and scientific graphic and statistical software packages.
* An ability to effectively communicate with others, particularly with regard to co-ordination of work with various collaborators in the project, locally and internationally.
* An ability to contribute significant intellectual input to the progress and direction of the research projects.
* Ability to learn new skills and to modify duties to fit a changing research environment.
* Must be strongly motivated with the ability to work both independently and as part of a research team.
* Evidence that highlights previous duties (either in study or work environment) that require: accuracy and attention to detail; methodical work; reliability.
* A publication record particularly in the field of developmental neurobiology and/or neurodegeneration.
Desirable
* A knowledge and understanding of the scientific background relating to the research project, with a familiarity of various theories of neurodegeneration.
* Familiarity with mass spectrometry.
* An interest in the development of diagnostic tests and therapeutic drug development.he development of diagnostic tests and therapeutic drug development.
Pay and benefits
The salary of the post holder will be at an appropriate point on the first five points of grade 7 of the University scale (£29,099 – £35,788), depending on qualifications and experience. There is an annual ‘cost-of-living’ salary review, and an incremental increase next October.
The closing date for applications is noon on 14th July 2011. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed on 22nd July 2011. Please quote reference BW/2011/SAG on all correspondence.
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