Job offer Biceps MSCA Doctoral Candidate Position 16 - University of Oxford, UK

Use digital pathology and deep learning algorithms that allow a robust, reproducible and high-throughput quantitative assessments of both protein aggregates and neuroinflammatory profile in a large, well-characterised PD cohort (~500 brains) to examine the relationship of inflammatory responses to the progression of PD-related pathology and progression of disease (e.g. onset, duration of disease, motor symptoms, dementia). Use proteomics to examine cytokines, chemokines and angiogenesis-related or other inflammation-associated molecules in brain samples representing different progressive stages of PD pathology and also examine these same markers in the matching blood samples in order to determine if these can be used as biologically-relevant biomarkers. Use spatial transcriptomics to elucidate the molecular determinants and interactions that drive these neuro-immune cellular responses across the landscape of the human PD brain., The University of Oxford Newcomers' Club is an organisation run by volunteers that aims to assist the partners of new staff settle into Oxford, and provides them with an opportunity to meet people and make connections in the local area. See this website. Eligibility criteria Entry into employment with the University and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Selection process Pre-employment screening If you are offered the post, the offer will be subject to standard pre-employment checks. You will be asked to provide: proof of your right-to-work in the UK; proof of your identity; and (if we haven't done so already) we will contact the referees you have nominated. You will also be asked to complete a health declaration so that you can tell us about any health conditions or disabilities for which you may need us to make appropriate adjustments. Please read the candidate notes on the University's pre-employment screening procedures. Additional comments, The University operates an Employer Justified Retirement Age (EJRA) for all academic posts and some academic-related posts. The University has adopted an EJRA of 30 September before the 69th birthday for all academic and academic-related staff in posts at grade 8 and above. The justification for this is explained at this website. For existing employees, any employment beyond the retirement age is subject to approval through the procedures. There is no normal or fixed age at which staff in posts at grades 1 to 7 have to retire. Staff at these grades may elect to retire in accordance with the rules of the applicable pension scheme, as may be amended from time to time.

Master Degree or equivalent,

• Hold a BSc degree in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Genetics/Genomics or related areas
• Demonstrable experience in translational human (or animal) neuropathology and knowledge of the brain anatomy
• Experience in histopathology and general molecular biology techniques (e.g. with microtomy, immunohistochemistry, tissue extraction, immunoblotting)
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present research results in weekly lab meetings, and at departmental/external meetings
• Ability to interpret experimental results and assist in experimental optimisation
• Working knowledge of statistical programs relevant to basic research (e.g. Excel, SPSS)
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and independently
• Confidence and aptitude in presenting and networking
Desirable selection criteria
• Experience in light, fluorescence and confocal imaging and image data analysis of biological systems
• Experience or basic understanding of developing AI-driven algorithms
• Experience in proteomics
• Experience or basic understanding of spatial transcriptomic techniques.
  
  Biceps
Beyond neuroInflammation: new Concepts to Elucidate the peripheral immune system's vital role in Parkinson's disease Decades of research into Parkinson's disease (PD) have fallen short in fully comprehending its mechanisms, leaving us without a cure. Current treatments merely alleviate symptoms temporarily, but are unable to impede the progression of the disease. Clearly, PD research has hit a wall, and new approaches are needed. Recent discoveries of the involvement of the peripheral immune system in PD have sparked a groundbreaking proposition by BICEPS: PD must be considered a systemic disease with an immune response involving both brain and periphery. Thus, to revolutionize PD research, we must shift away from the neuro-centric approach of past decades and extend our focus to studying the immune system outside the brain. Furthermore, recent advancements, such as systems biology and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven data mining, diagnosis, and drug development, hold significant promise for advancing PD research. Therefore, BICEPS is uniting PD researchers, immunologists, and experts in AI and systems biology from leading European academic institutions, startup companies, and established pharmaceutical firms into a unique consortium. The primary objective is to train a new generation of PD researchers with interdisciplinary expertise in these fields. This ambitious goal will be realized through an intensive training program that encompasses cutting-edge methodologies, encourages innovation, nurtures transferable skills, and provides immersive, hands-on research experiences. Thereby, the BICEPS network aims to shape the future of PD research by adopting a fresh perspective and expediting the development of diagnostics and therapies for PD, with a particular focus on the immune system. Title of the project: The effects of inflammation in the human Parkinson's disease brain Description of project: This post provides an exciting opportunity to join a multidisciplinary research team funded by Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (BICEPS) to investigate the role of inflammation in Parkinson's disease (PD). Decades of research into PD have fallen short in fully comprehending its mechanisms, leaving us without a cure. Current treatments merely alleviate symptoms temporarily, but are unable to impede the progression of the disease. Clearly, PD research has hit a wall, and new approaches are needed. Recent discoveries of the involvement of the peripheral immune system in PD have sparked a ground-breaking proposition that PD must be considered a systemic disease with an immune response involving both brain and periphery. Thus, to revolutionize PD research, we must shift away from the neuro-centric approach of past decades and extend our focus to studying the immune system outside the brain. Furthermore, recent advancements, such as systems biology and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven data mining, diagnosis, and drug development, hold significant promise for advancing PD research. The BICEPS network includes 15 participants from the European academic institutions, startup companies, and established pharmaceutical firms including University of Oxford. The primary objective is to train a new generation of PD researchers with interdisciplinary expertise in these fields. This ambitious goal will be realized through an intensive training program that encompasses cutting-edge methodologies, encourages innovation, nurtures transferable skills, and provides immersive, hands-on research experiences. Thereby, the BICEPS network aims to shape the future of PD research by adopting a fresh perspective and expediting the development of diagnostics and therapies for PD, with a particular focus on the immune system. The project in University of Oxford will focus on studying the effects of inflammation specifically in the human Parkinson's disease brain and is led by Professor Laura Parkkinen from the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences who also directs the Oxford brain bank. Prof Parkkinen's research group is combining expertise in translational neuropathology, molecular biology, protein chemistry, genetics and computational biology to investigate mechanisms and develop drug targets and biomarkers for two main neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer's disease and PD. The main objective of this current project is to deconvolute the neuroinflammation with pathological hallmarks of human PD brain and progression of disease using high-throughput, AI-driven digital tools, proteomics, and transcriptomic profiling., With one of the most generous family leave schemes in the Higher Education sector, and a range of flexible working options, Oxford aims to be a family-friendly employer. We also subscribe to My Family Care, a service that provides practical advice and support for employees who have caring responsibilities. The service offers a free telephone advice line, and the ability to book emergency back-up care for children, adult dependents and elderly relatives. See this website. The University has excellent childcare services, including five University nurseries as well as University-supported places at many other private nurseries., Welcome to the University of Oxford. We aim to lead the world in research and education for the benefit of society both in the UK and globally. Oxford's researchers engage with academic, commercial and cultural partners across the world to stimulate high-quality research and enable innovation through a broad range of social, policy and economic impacts. We believe our strengths lie both in empowering individuals and teams to address fundamental questions of global significance, while providing all our staff with a welcoming and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to develop and do their best work. Recognising that diversity is our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, we aspire to build a truly diverse community which values and respects every individual's unique contribution. While we have long traditions of scholarship, we are also forward-looking, creative and cutting-edge. Oxford is one of Europe's most entrepreneurial universities and we rank first in the UK for university spin-outs, and in recent years we have spun out 15-20 new companies every year. We are also recognised as leaders in support for social enterprise. Join us and you will find a unique, democratic and international community, a great range of staff benefits and access to a vibrant array of cultural activities in the beautiful city of Oxford. For more information, please visit this website. Medical Sciences Division The Medical Sciences Division is an internationally recognized centre of excellence for biomedical and clinical research and teaching, and the largest academic division in the University of Oxford. World-leading programmes, housed in state-of-the-art facilities, cover the full range of scientific endeavour from the molecule to the population. With our NHS partners we also foster the highest possible standards in patient care. For more information visit this website. The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN), led by Prof Kevin Talbot, has over 400 staff and 150 postgraduate students. NDCN has an established research and teaching portfolio with a national and international reputation for excellence. NDCN is based in high quality research and clinical facilities in the West Wing of the John Radcliffe Hospital, alongside the Department's world-class Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN) and the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (which houses 3 of our research groups), and provides the ideal facilities to translate research from bench to bedside. In keeping with the award of NIHR Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre status, to a partnership between Oxford University and the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, we have developed a highly integrated and interdisciplinary environment in which research, teaching, clinical training and clinical care interact. This enables us to establish new, Nuffield Division of Anaesthesia NDA is led by Associate Professor Andrew Farmery. The NDA is committed to the development and maintenance of internationally competitive research programmes in pain and consciousness; respiration and hypoxia; adult and neuro-intensive care; simulation and human factors training. For more information visit this website. Division of Clinical Neurology DCN is led by Professor David Bennett. DCN is committed to the development of research programs that improve understanding of the nervous system in health and disease. For more information visit this website. The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN) WIN is a multi-disciplinary neuroimaging research facility led by Heidi Johansen-Berg. WIN aims to bridge the gap between laboratory neuroscience and human health, by performing multi-scale studies spanning from animal models through to human populations. It focuses on the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for neuroscience research, along with related technologies such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, MEG and EEG. WIN has core locations at the John Radcliffe Hospital (FMRIB), Warneford Hospital (OHBA) and University Science area (BSB). For more information visit this website. Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology NLO is led by Professor Russell Foster, who leads the Sleep & Circadian Neuroscience Institute. NLO pursues scientific and clinical research into a range of areas related to vision, the eye and circadian neuroscience. For more information visit this website. Centre for the Prevention of Stroke & Dementia CPSD is led by Professor Peter Rothwell. The centre carries out research that increases understanding of the causes of cerebrovascular disease. Its aims are to improve prevention of stroke and dementia by earlier diagnosis, more reliable prognostication, and more effective use of existing preventive treatments in routine clinical practice. For more information visit this website. Working at NDCN NDCN actively promotes a healthy work life balance amongst employees through a number of family friendly policies. See this website for further information. The University of Oxford is a member of the Athena SWAN Charter and holds an institutional Bronze Athena SWAN award. The Department of Clinical Neurosciences holds a departmental Silver Athena award in recognition of its efforts to introduce organisational and cultural practices that promote advancement of gender equality: representation, progression and success for all.

University employees enjoy 38 days of paid holiday, generous pension schemes, travel discounts, and a variety of professional development opportunities. Our range of other employee benefits and discounts also includes free entry to the Botanic Gardens and University colleges, and discounts at University museums. See this website. University Club and sports facilities Membership of the University Club is free for all University staff. The University Club offers social, sporting, and hospitality facilities. Staff can also use the University Sports Centre on Iffley Road at discounted rates, including a fitness centre, powerlifting room, and swimming pool. See this website and this website.