At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to develop advanced humanised pain models and conduct cutting-edge research.
- Company: Be part of a leading neuroscience lab focused on innovative biomedical research.
- Benefits: Access to state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to guide and mentor less experienced researchers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in neuroscience and contribute to groundbreaking research projects.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field with experience in neuronal culture and electrophysiology.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Reporting to Profs Annina Schmid and David Bennett, the post holder is a member of the Neural Injury Group and the Neuromusculoskeletal Health and Science Lab with responsibility for contributing to a multi-lab MRC-funded research project aiming to develop advanced humanised pain models. This role is part of a multi-disciplinary team including expertise in cell culturing, electrophysiology, and bioinformatics.
The role will be responsible for developing and characterising human dorsal root ganglia cultures to benchmark the newly developed iPSC derived organoid model systems. This will include processing of human DRG and nerve roots with subsequent cellular and molecular analyses looking at alterations in injured vs non-injured neural tissues using physiological, molecular and anatomical outcomes. The post-holder will also optimise human DRG cultures and perform electrophysiological and functional characterisation.
In parallel, the post holder will use the newly developed human induced pluripotent stem-cell derived sensory neurons pain models to characterise their validity as well as in-vitro excitability including after inducing experimental nerve injury and pharmacological interventions, and relate these to the individual’s clinical phenotypes (already available). The post holder provides guidance to less experienced members of the research group, including postdocs, research assistants, technicians, and PhD and project students.
The research activities will take place in the state of the art facilities provided by NDCN including access to wet lab space, cell culture and advanced imaging. The Neural Injury Group consists of a multidisciplinary team with expertise ranging from molecular neurobiology to clinical phenotyping. The post is primarily based in NDCN, but there will be meetings and collaborative opportunities as this is a network grant including external collaborators.
Selection Criteria
- Essential Criteria
- Hold a relevant PhD/DPhil, together with relevant experience in the area of biological research/biomedical engineering
- Experience with neuronal culture techniques, preferably with human cells (e.g., human DRGs, human induced pluripotent stem-cell derived sensory neurons)
- Experience with electrophysiological recordings and imaging in sensory neurons (e.g., patch clamp, Multi Electrodes Arrays, calcium imaging, confocal imaging) in assessment of neuronal excitability and sensory transduction
- Experience of imaging of sensory neurons (such as confocal imaging to assess morphology and assessment of calcium flux)
- Possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to work within established research programmes
- Ability to manage own academic research and associated activities
- Previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations
- Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings
- Experience with human DRG and/or human induced pluripotent stem-cell derived sensory neuron cultures
- Experience of working in the field of sensory physiology and pain
- Experience of using patient-derived iPSCs
- Experience in transfection/transduction of iPSC derived neurons
- Experience in assessment of gene expression
- Experience in assessing mechanosensory currents
- Experience of independently managing a discrete area of a research project
- Experience of actively collaborating in the development of research articles for publication
Postdoctoral Neuroscientist employer: International Association for the Study of Pain
Contact Detail:
International Association for the Study of Pain Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Neuroscientist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the neuroscience field, attend relevant conferences, and engage with researchers on social media. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or collaborations.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your research projects, publications, and any presentations you've done. This will help you stand out during interviews and give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses to common questions. Focus on articulating your experience with human DRG cultures and electrophysiological techniques, as these are key for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We encourage you to submit your application directly on our platform. It’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Neuroscientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in biological research and neuronal culture techniques. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your expertise in human DRGs and electrophysiological recordings!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the research project and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our multi-disciplinary team. Let us know what excites you about contributing to the Neural Injury Group.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key, make sure your application reflects your ability to write for publication and present research. We love candidates who can clearly articulate their ideas and findings, so don’t hold back on demonstrating this in your application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at International Association for the Study of Pain
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the MRC-funded project and the methodologies involved, especially around human dorsal root ganglia cultures and electrophysiology. Being able to discuss your previous research and how it relates to this role will show your genuine interest and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with neuronal culture techniques and electrophysiological recordings. Bring examples of your work, such as publications or presentations, that highlight your skills in imaging and assessing neuronal excitability. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical proficiency.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working within a multidisciplinary team, be ready to discuss your experience in collaborative projects. Share examples of how you’ve guided less experienced members or contributed to team success, as this will illustrate your ability to work well with others and lead when necessary.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Have a few insightful questions ready about the research group’s current projects or future directions. This shows that you’re not only interested in the position but also engaged with the ongoing research and eager to contribute ideas for new projects.