Research Associate

Applications are invited for a Research Associate (PDRA) position in the groups of Dr Matthew Livesey, Dr James Alix and Professor Dame Pamela Shaw at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. SITraN is a purpose-built research facility which was opened in November 2010 by Her Majesty the Queen and awarded the Queen’s Anniversary prize for higher education in 2020 in recognition of having made an outstanding positive impact in patient’s lives from Neuroscience research. We were also awarded the British Neuroscience Outstanding Contribution Award in 2022. The Institute houses clinical and basic scientists from the Division of Neuroscience and the primary focus is research into neurodegenerative disorders such as Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

This project targets disturbances in neuronal excitability, a key feature and therapeutic target in MND. By aligning clinical neurophysiology with lab-based electrophysiology, your work will significantly contribute to developing new assays that connect laboratory findings with clinical insights. This project has the key objectives of generating MND patient-derived iPSC-derived neurons with electrophysiological profiles aligned to the electrophysiological signatures presented by the patient donors. This work will develop an advanced high-throughput pharmacological screening assay using multi-electrode array technology. Your approach will ultimately have the goal of enabling faster drug discovery, tailored to the varied excitability characteristics of MND patients.

In this post, you will lead the maintenance of curated iPSCs, the generation of iPSC-derived neuronal cultures and the generation of new iPSCs from ALS patients. You will contribute to all other aspects of the project, including the investigations of neuronal function using new state-of-the-art multi electrode array technology. Under direction of the PIs, you will be expected to design, execute and interpret experiments, compile reports and publications, and to present at lab group and scientific meetings, as well as to coordinate work and direct work with clinicians for the generation of iPSCs from patient samples.

The ideal candidate will be a practically skilled, well-organised and dedicated individual with a proven track record in human iPSC-based disease modelling, ideally with experience in iPSC-derived neuronal cultures. Previous experience in the characterisation of neuronal function (e.g., electrophysiology) and the development of new iPSC lines particularly advantageous. Proficiency in molecular cloning, PCR, biochemistry (western, IP) and fluorescence microscopy would also be valuable to the role. Candidates should also demonstrate a history of science communication (e.g. presentations, outreach activities, teaching/supervision).

The successful applicant will be an excellent team player, highly solution orientated and self-motivated. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential, alongside the ability to work independently and with others, with a high degree of accuracy including outstanding record keeping. We are looking for a person keen to work in a highly collaborative set-up and enthusiastic to join our diverse and interdisciplinary team. Solid communication skills are required to interact with group members and other researchers at in SITraN and at the other institutions involved in the programme.

This post is fixed term for 1.5 years and is available from 1 Jan 2025.

Please note; whilst the role is at Postdoctoral Research level and requires candidates to hold a PhD/DPhil (or equivalent), we may consider candidates who are close to completion of their PhD/DPhil qualification.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact Dr Matt Livesey and/or Dr James Alix to discuss the project prior to application.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

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