Post Doctoral Position - Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield School of Medicine

Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated, well organized and goal driven scientist to join an exciting new project funded by the Joint Programme between Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK), Charles River Laboratories, five Pharma partners (Eisai, J&J, Lilly, MSD and Takeda) and the University of Sheffield (Dr. Tennore Ramesh, PI and Dr. Guillaume Hautbergue, Co-I) in translational medicine for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Fronto-temporal dementia (ALS/FTD). The overall aim of the project, which involves two post-doctoral research associates is to identify small molecule compounds that modulate the interaction between SRSF1 and pathological C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat RNA expansions expressed in in vitro patient derived neurons and in vivo zebrafish and mouse models of C9ORF72-ALS/FTD.

This post will be based at the state-of-the-art Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Sheffield School of Medicine, Dentistry and Health. SITraN is a purpose-built research institute and houses computational, clinical and basic scientists with a focus on neurodegenerative disorders such as Motor Neurone Disease (MND) also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease and Dementia.

Person Specification

Applicants should provide evidence in their applications that they meet the following criteria. We will use a range of selection methods to measure candidates’ abilities in these areas including reviewing your on-line application, seeking references, inviting shortlisted candidates to interview and other forms of assessment action relevant to the post.

About the Team

The Department of Neuroscience comprises multidisciplinary groups from the units of Neurology, Neuropathology and Psychiatry working in both basic and clinical neuroscience. Clinical and non-clinical researchers combine to investigate the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease and major psychoses, with the goal of translating novel insights into new therapeutic approaches.

This post will be based at the state-of-the-art Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Sheffield School of Medicine, Dentistry and Health. SITraN is a purpose-built research institute and houses computational, clinical and basic scientists with a focus on neurodegenerative disorders such as Motor Neurone Disease (MND) also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease and Dementia.

ARUK/Pharma consortium project is led by Dr. Tennore Ramesh and Dr. Guillaume Hautbergue in the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN).

Job Description

Applications are invited for the post of Postdoctoral Research Associate funded by the Joint Programme between Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK), Charles River Laboratories, five Pharma partners (Eisai, J&J, Lilly, MSD and Takeda) and the University of Sheffield (Dr. Tennore Ramesh, PI and Dr. Guillaume Hautbergue, Co-I). The project is aggressive, ambitious and milestone driven.  Success in this project has the potential for advancement into further long-term discovery and clinical development driven projects. This will be ideal for post-docs that would like to explore the range of drug discovery process starting from early discovery phase with constant input and collaboration with top pharmaceutical companies in the world. 

We are seeking a highly motivated, well organized and goal driven scientist to join an exciting new project in translational medicine for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Fronto-temporal dementia (ALS/FTD). You will be a practically skilled, well organised, flexible and committed Postdoctoral Researcher who will join the ARUK/Pharma consortium as part of the teams led by Dr. Tennore Ramesh and Dr. Guillaume Hautbergue in the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN).

The overall aim of your project is to screen and identify small molecule compounds that modulates the interaction between SRSF1 and pathological C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat RNA expansions, nuclear export of pathological C9ORF72 repeat transcripts and repeat-associated non-AUG translation of dipeptide-repeat proteins in in vivo zebrafish and mouse models of C9ORF72-ALS/FTD. You will conduct laboratory research on a semi-independent basis under the direction of the principle investigators. You will be expected to: design, execute and evaluate experiments; keep excellent experimental records; prepare reports regularly and feed back to the consortium partners in regular reports and conference calls. You are also expected to contribute to the preparation of scientific manuscripts, attend and deliver seminars and supervise undergraduate students.

You will have a strong background in molecular and cellular biology with experience using zebrafish/mouse models, neuronal isolation and ELISA development. Experience in the neurodegeneration field or models of ALS/FTD would be desirable.  The successful candidate should be strongly motivated, self-driven, able to accept direction and be an excellent team player. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are expected.

This post is fixed term for 14 months with potential for further extension and is available immediately. The project is milestone driven with initial milestone at 6 months.  Salary will be set at the appropriate point on the post-doctoral research associate scale.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, set-up and run experiments in relation to the project after consultation with the Principal Investigators.
• Demonstrate a high level of competence in molecular and cellular biology techniques, zebrafish/rodent biology, neuronal isolation and ELISA techniques (MSD methods desirable).
• Keep excellent scientific records and analyse and interpret experimental data, prepare reports and participate in conference calls with the members of the ARUK Consortium.
• Prepare papers for journals / presentations either in-house or at national / international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings.
• Write and document lab procedures, protocols and study design.
• Undertake other tasks related to the project as requested by the line manager.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of relevant scientific developments in the field.
• Teamwork- provide help to other researchers in the same laboratory in related fields of research, co-ordinate activities with other group members.
• Plan for specific aspects of the research programme as discussed with the supervisors of the project.
• Assist in the day-to-day management and delivery of the project.
• For each particular hypothesis, plan for own contribution up to three months ahead, incorporating issues such as the availability of resources, deadlines, project milestones and overall research aims. Design individual experiments weekly.
• Supervise research team/activities including the work of research assistants and graduate students if necessary.
• Continuously monitor and check results. The unpredictability of research means that daily planning needs to accommodate new developments.
• Order all reagents/consumables required for the experimental work.
• Liaise with staff from other Departments or outside agencies.
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post.

Reward Package

Terms and conditions of employment:

This post is fixed term for 14 months with a flexible start date around September 2020 with potential for further extension based on the success of the initial aims.

This post is full-time:

This role has been identified as a full-time post, but we are committed to exploring flexible working opportunities with our staff which benefit both the individual and the University (See www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/guidance/flexible/arrangements). Therefore, we would consider flexible delivery of the role subject to meeting the business needs of the post. If you wish to explore flexible working opportunities in relation to this post, we encourage you to call or email the departmental contact listed below.

Salary for this grade: Grade 7.1 up to 7.7

£31,866 up to £38,017 per annum. 

If you join the University you will have access to a Total Reward Package that includes a competitive salary, a generous Pension Scheme and annual leave entitlement, as well as access to a range of learning and development courses to support your personal and professional development. You will have access to your own personalised portal where you can also access a comprehensive selection of benefits and offers to suit your changing lifestyle needs, for example financial wellbeing, travel options, shopping and cinema discounts.

To find out more visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/thedeal

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We aim to empower staff to work sustainably by giving them the knowledge to make ethical decisions at work and home. Staff have the opportunity to be involved in impactful sustainability projects through the nationally recognised Green Impact scheme.

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We are proud of our award-winning equality, diversity and inclusion action, and 90% of staff tell us they are treated with fairness and respect (staff survey 2018). We continue working to create a fully inclusive environment where everyone can flourish.

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Selection – Next Steps

Closing date: For details of the closing date please view this post on our web pages at www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs

Following the closing date, we will contact you by email to let you know whether or not you have been shortlisted to participate in the next stage of the selection process. Please note that due to the large number of applications that we receive, it may take up to two working weeks following the closing date before the recruiting department will be able to contact you.

It is anticipated that interviews and other selection action will be held on XXX. Full details will be provided to invited candidates.

For more information on our application and recruitment processes visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/info

Informal enquiries

For informal enquiries about this job and the recruiting department, contact: Dr. Tennore Ramesh on t.ramesh@sheffield.ac.uk or on 07949200318.

For all online application system queries and support, visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/applying

Criminal records check

Appointment to the post will be subject to a security check, which will be carried out for the preferred candidate.

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We are consistently ranked in the top 100 of the world’s universities, but there’s so much more to us than that. By joining the University, you will be joining award-winning teams and departments who are all working together to make the University of Sheffield a remarkable place to work.

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