Job Opportunities

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate to join the team of Prof Gabriel Balmus, in the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) Centre at the University of Cambridge for a project to explore the role of DNA Damage in neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on Huntingston's Disease (HD), funded by UKDRI. This project is funded for 3 years in the first instance.

Huntington's Disease (HD) is a fatal autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by unstable expansion of a CAG triple nucleotide repeat in the coding region of the HTT gene. Currently, no treatment can slow or stop disease initiation or progression; thus, there is an unmet need that requires research aimed at discovering disease modifiers with therapeutic potential. Large HD population studies have recently uncovered that the expansion of repeats is strongly modified by two distinct DNA damage and repair (DDR) modules, FAN1 and mismatch repair (MMR). The goal of this project is to elucidate the associated broader network of genes that modulate CAG repeat instability and integrate this network with the broad DNA Damage Response network. Uncovering this network would represent an important step toward identifying therapeutic targets and how to stratify patients.

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 over 700 researchers 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.

*Cambridge * Developing new treatments that can prevent the onset of dementia or protect neurons from damage is hindered by our lack of knowledge in the fundamental causes and mechanisms behind neurodegeneration. Scientists at the UK DRI at Cambridge use cutting-edge technologies such as single-cell transcriptomics, cerebral organoids, and advanced imaging to build our understanding of the biological processes behind the earliest stages of neurodegeneration and ageing. They explore mechanisms such as neuron-glia interactions and DNA repair dynamics that cause the loss of vital connections between neurons and the pathways that drive repair of these connections, which are essential for memory formation and survival of brain cells and identify molecular targets for therapeutic intervention to stop, slow or reverse the course of dementia to stop, slow or reverse dementia.

Education to PhD level in a relevant subject is required. Knowledge of techniques in cell and molecular biology, neural development, or neurodegeneration is essential although Knowledge of the DNA Damage Response field is essential. Experience with animal handling, 3D culture systems, CRISPR-mediated genome editing, or glial biology will be advantageous.training in all relevant techniques will be provided within a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary environment..

www.balmuslab.org. To learn more about the Balmus Lab, please visit:

For further enquiries please contact: cr267@cam.ac.uk

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,132) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Please quote reference ZE46718 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.