Research Assistant in Single Cell Genomics

Job number

**MED05199**
- Faculties

**Faculty of Medicine**
- Departments

**Department of Brain Sciences**
- Salary or Salary range

**£43,003 - £46,297 per annum**
- Location/campus

**White City Campus - Hybrid**
- Contract type work pattern

**Full time - Fixed term**
- Posting End Date

**2 Jul 2025**

**About the role**:
Today, over 1 million people in the UK are living with dementia and related neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The impact of these incurable and progressive conditions on individuals and their families is devastating. The cost to the economy and public services is large and growing as the UK population ages.

The UK DRI is a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of over 900 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, driving a step change in our understanding of neurodegeneration, and accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of interventions that will help diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent dementia.

**What you would be doing**:
We are developing new methods for profiling the binding of transcription factors to DNA. We need these methods to work at single cell resolution which is requiring us to push the limits of existing microfluidics capabilities. You will be responsible for developing, testing and implementing novel protocols towards this goal. The Neurogenomics Lab is exploiting these technologies to enable genome function to be understood in disease relevant cell types. This is being done with a view towards commercialisation so would suit a highly motivated tech minded scientist with an engineering approach to molecular biology.

Working in state-of-the-art laboratories on Imperial’s newest campus for innovation in the heart of the west London tech corridor, the research group of Dr Nathan Skene in the UK DRI at Imperial seeks to identify regulatory mechanisms which cause neurodegenerative disorders, along with the cell types in which they act, and determine whether inhibition or activation of the pathway is associated with increased disease risk. Dr Skene’s research focuses on answering simple questions about brain diseases, through the analysis of epigenomic and genetic datasets. A major question of our group is identifying which cell types carry the most genetic load for brain disorders, by linking GWAS data to epigenomic data obtained using single cell methods. This research area is evolving rapidly. You will be given opportunities to train in new methods, develop new competencies relevant to the specific aims set and address major questions of importance for Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative conditions.

**What we are looking for**:

- Development of novel methods for single cell genomics, using customisable microfluidic platforms
- Experience with general molecular biology and cellular genomics methods
- Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team
- Demonstrate an aptitude for an organised, methodical approach to your work

**What we can offer you**:
The role will be part of the UK Dementia Research Institute and the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London. Research Assistants enjoy excellent career development opportunities with:

- Access to a range of cutting-edge technologies
- Strong national links through the UK DRI with attendance at its annual scientific meeting ‘Connectome’.
- A network of computational and wet lab researchers
- The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
- Grow your career: Gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression
- Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).

**Further information**:
The post is based in the new UK DRI research labs on the White City Campus in West London. You will benefit from an active research (and social) environment in the Department of Brain Sciences, with additional research labs in the Burlington Danes Building on the nearby Hammersmith Campus.

Imperial is one of the UK’s most international universities and welcomes staff from all backgrounds and from all over the world.

**Available documents**:

- Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.- Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

**About Imperial**:
Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.

Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a l