Research Fellow

**Ref Number**

B02-07809

**Professional Expertise**

Research and Research Support

**Department**

School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)

**Location**

London

**Working Pattern**

Full time

**Salary**

See advert text

**Contract Type**

Fixed-term

**Working Type**

On site

**Available for Secondment**

Yes

**Closing Date**

29-Oct-2024

**About us**:
The Department of Neuromuscular Diseases is a hub for clinical and research excellence across the spectrum of spinal cord and neuromuscular diseases. Our group of world-leading clinical, genetic and basic science researchers focus their work on understanding the causes and biological mechanisms leading to Neuromuscular Disease and translating this knowledge into developing novel therapeutic solutions that is of direct benefit to neurological disorders such as motor neurone disease, Alzheimer’s disease and neuromuscular disease.

**About the role**:
We are seeking a research fellow to support genetic and biomarker studies in neuromuscular diseases. You will mainly use patient genetic and biomarker data, with the possibility to work with iPSC-derived neurons and mice, to increase the diagnostic yield on unsolved neuromuscular diseases, and develop disease-relevant biomarkers to develop therapies (with focus on SORD neuropathy).

You will be based in the Cortese Laboratory and work in close collaboration with the Sleigh Laboratory on two main projects; project one involves using novel long-read sequencing (LRS) technologies to increase the diagnostic yield in unsolved neuromuscular diseases, and project two involves using clinical data to identify and track serum biomarkers, that will be paired with a recently generated mutant Sord mouse to unravel common and distinctive signatures to facilitate translation of key findings into human clinical trials

The post is available immediately and is funded by Muscular Dystrophy UK and AFM-Telethon for one year, or until 31 October 2025, whichever is earlier, in the first instance.

A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below.

**About you**:
You’ll have a PhD in Neuroscience, Biology, or a related discipline (or an MD in Medicine/Surgery), experience in neurobiology/neuroscience research, and an interest in the neuromuscular system and relevant pathological conditions. Experience in next-generation sequencing data analysis, of molecular biology techniques, and with handling patient samples is also essential for this role.

**What we offer**:
Starting salary offered at £43,124 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

Appointment as Research Fellow is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be as Research Assistant (salary £38,357 - £41,005 per annum) with appointment as Research Fellow being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits, some of which are below:

- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Immigration loan
- On-site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance

**Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion**:
The Institute prides itself on operating in an all-inclusive environment irrespective of personal, physical, or social characteristics. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and we are committed to advancing the careers of everyone. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives; visit our EDI website for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.