Senior Research Technician

Applications are invited for a Senior Research Technician to join a collaborative research programme between the groups of Prof Kurt De Vos (PI), Dr Matthew Livesey, Dr Ryan West, Dr Richard Mead, and Dr Andrew Grierson at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of 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.

You will work within a team of two Research Associates and two senior research technicians under a 5-year MRC-funded collaborative research programme with the aim to gain understanding of the mechanisms and the role of synaptic dysfunction and impaired neurotransmission in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD). The programme will involve electrophysiological and microscopy-based interrogation of synaptic function in vitro in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models of ALS/FTD and primary neuron cultures. Further, this work will investigate underlying mechanisms using high-resolution genetic and biochemical perturbations combined with state-of-the art proteomics and determine the role of synaptic dysfunction as a driver of disease using Drosophila models.

This post will involve supporting the work of the postdoctoral research assistants on the project, as well as conducting your own experiments. The ideal candidate will be a practically skilled, well-organised and committed individual with a proven track record in in vivo preclinical mouse models. Previous experience with primary neuron cultures, lentiviral and AAV viral vectors, and Drosophila would be highly advantageous. Proficiency in molecular cloning, PCR, biochemistry (western, IP) and fluorescence microscopy would also be valuable to the role. Candidates should also demonstrate the ability to contribute to laboratory management.

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.