Research Fellow

Job title:

Research Fellow

Company

University College London

Job description

About usUCL Institute of Ophthalmology conducts cutting-edge research, attracting principal investigators, post-doctoral fellows and MD/PhD students of the highest international calibre to a stimulating research environment. The Institute is committed to a multi-disciplinary research portfolio that furthers an understanding of the eye and visual system linked with clinical investigations targeted to specific problems in the prevention and treatment of eye disease.In recognition of the Institute’s international standing, the most recent Research Excellence Framework confirmed the outstanding quality of research carried out at the Institute. The combination of the Institute’s research with the expertise and resources of Moorfields Eye Hospital, which has the largest ophthalmic patient population in the Western World, facilitates advances at the forefront of vision research and provides an unparalleled setting for research, education and training in ophthalmology. We were graded #1 place in the world to study ophthalmology (CWUR 2017 world rankings). There are 4 themes at IoO:UCL Institute of Ophthalmology conducts cutting-edge research, attracting principal investigators, post-doctoral fellows and MD/PhD students of the highest
international calibre to a stimulating research environment. The Institute is committed to a multi-disciplinary research portfolio that furthers an understanding of the eye and visual system linked with clinical investigations targeted to specific problems in the prevention and treatment of eye disease.In recognition of the Institute’s international standing, the most recent Research Excellence Framework confirmed the outstanding quality of research carried out at the Institute. The combination of the Institute’s research with the expertise and resources of Moorfields Eye Hospital, which has the largest ophthalmic patient population in the Western World, facilitates advances at the forefront of vision research and provides an unparalleled setting for research, education and training in ophthalmology. We were graded #1 place in the world to study ophthalmology (CWUR 2017 world rankings). There are 4 themes at IoO:

• Development, Aging and Disease
• Rescue, Repair and Regeneration
• Visual Neuroscience and Function
• Population and Data Science

The researcher of tomorrow is critical to our goal of improving sight. We are involved in graduate training of research students (MD, MPhil, PhD), and the Institute of Ophthalmology delivers 8 highly regarded taught postgraduate programmes.The Institute employs around 250 staff, has a budget of £25m and is located next to the City of London’s main financial district near Old Street Underground station, Shoreditch High Street and a short distance from Liverpool Street Rail station.The Institute leadership is comprised of Director, Professor Andrew D. Dick, and deputy directors responsible for enabling research, education and enterprise.About the roleWe are looking to appoint a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, to join the MacDonald Laboratory. This role is to lead a research project entitled “Genetic dysregulation in glial cells as a driver of neurodegeneration in retinal ageing”. This project is funded by the BBSRC and will be based in the Institute of Ophthalmology at the University College London. This project will explore how genetic dysregulation in glial cells called Muller glia change in the ageing retina to potentially drive age-related neurodegeneration in the retina.The main duties of the post holder will be to explore fundamental mechanisms of molecular dysregulation as a potential driver of age-related neurodegeneration. We will use established techniques of killifish genetics (transgenesis, CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis), multiplex cellular labelling, -omics technologies, high-resolution imaging and computational analysis. The post holder will also develop new genetic techniques and tools to explore cell-specific genetic dysregulation, which may include but are not limited to, gene tagging, knock-in technologies, inducible gene expression in vivo and drug screening. The postdoc will also be expected to assist in supervision of technicians and students, including PhD students, to support the laboratory.The post is graded at postdoctoral Grade 7 (sp 31; salary £44,230 including London Allowance). Cost of living pay awards are negotiated nationally and are normally effective from 1st August each year. The post is funded for two years in the first instance.About youThis post offers an exciting opportunity to join a research group lead by Dr. Ryan MacDonald focused on understanding the ageing and disease of the retina. This project uses the killifish retina to approach longstanding problems in neuroscience by studying age-related genetic dysregulation in the rapidly ageing killifish.The overarching research aim of our laboratory is to understand how a healthy eye is built and maintained throughout life. More specifically, we are interested in how glial cells, the major support cells in the nervous system, are patterned and shaped during development to support neurons. We are also interested in what happens when the intricate glia-neuronal relationship breaks down due to increasing age or disease.The MacDonald lab use both zebrafish and killifish as model organisms to explore retina development and ageing. We use genetic engineering (cloning, transgenesis, CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis), multiplex cellular labelling techniques (immunofluorescence, in situ), high resolution imaging (confocal, 2-photon, spinning disk), computational analysis to explore fundamentals of glial biology.The MacDonald group consists of a diverse and including group of scientists with postdocs, PhD students and MSc students. For further information on the MacDonald lab group please see:What we offerWorking with some of the greatest intellects in the world, UCL also offers a generous pension scheme and holiday allowance, plus closure and bank holidays as well as enhanced parental pay and more. Visit to find out more.Application ProcessIf you have any queries regarding the vacancy please contact Dr,Ryan MacDonald, Email: . If you have any queries regarding the application process please email:A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.To apply for the vacancy please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below.Please ensure you attach your CV and highest academic qualification. In addition, please ensure you provide a personal statement outlining how you meet the criteria to support your application.Interviews will take place on week commencing Monday 10 March 2025 for successfully shortlisted applicants.Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and InclusionAs 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.We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.

Expected salary

Location

North West London

Job date

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 03:10:44 GMT

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