Research Assistant (Fixed Term)

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant position in the laboratory of Prof. Ewan St. John Smith at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge for an immediate start to work on The Helmsley Trust funded project: New insights into Crohn's disease from studying Naked Mole Rats.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects ~5 million individuals globally. One form of IBD is Crohn's disease (CD), a condition characterised by the development of inflammation and structural abnormalities throughout the digestive tract, which generally results in diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Increased understanding of disease pathogenesis could lead to improved therapeutic, and perhaps preventative, treatment. Naked mole-rats are extremophile animals that live for 35+ years and maintain good health throughout lifespan. Of relevance to CD, naked mole-rats also show diminished inflammatory pain, and their digestive tract displays reduced permeability, as well as showing disease resistance in a CD-like model.

In this project, we will take a multidisciplinary approach. We will conduct comparative genomics to identify genetic differences supporting the physiology of the naked mole-rat digestive tract. In addition, we will conduct in vivo models of IBD in mice and naked mole-rats to holistically characterise disease pathogenesis with behavioural, histological, electrophysiological and transcriptomic analyses to identify mechanisms underpinning IBD resistance in naked mole-rats. Lastly, we will use cellular models to determine the molecular mechanisms subserving the enhanced barrier integrity of the naked mole-rat gastrointestinal tract.

Though no PhD is required for this position, applicants should have general "wet-lab" techniques, for example, molecular biology, cell culture and histology. The role holder will support two Postdoctoral Research Associates leading on the genomics/bioinformatics and behaviour/physiology angles of the project.

This exciting project will involve establishing new techniques in the naked mole-rat and as such requires a motivated and innovative scientist who is demonstrably able to work in a collaborative manner. You must be a careful and methodical worker, paying attention to accuracy and ready to take responsibility as part of a team. This is a collaborative project, working closely with the labs of Gabriel Balmus (UKRI Dementia Institute), Alex Cagan (Genetics) and Walid Khaled (Pharmacology / Stem Cell Institute).

The role holder will be based in central Cambridge. The key duties and responsibilities will include but are not limited to: developing and conducting the project, managing own research and administrative activities, and supporting on-going research in the lab.