UK DRI Research Assistant – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative supporting research to fill the major knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause dementia. We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of 700 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, driving a change in our understanding of neurodegeneration and accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of interventions that will help diagnose, treat and ultimately prevent dementia.

Dementia is a major health challenge of our century – currently affecting fifty million people worldwide, projected to triple by 2050, with huge financial, emotional and social impact on people directly affected, their carers, families and the community. Dementia is a symptom of several neurodegenerative disorders, with Alzheimer's disease accounting for about 60% of cases. To date, there is no way to prevent or even slow the rate of progression of neurodegeneration.

Professor Jernej Ule and his team are seeking a highly motivated and engaged Research Assistant to support research on ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNP) and their role in neuronal homeostasis. The postholder will work with PhD students and postdocs who study the feedback regulation mechanisms (interstasis) using iPSC-derived neurons. The role will focus on cell biology techniques, in particular the generation, maintenance and characterisation of novel iPSC cells, their differentiation into neurons, and cellular phenotyping through imaging and sequencing technologies.

The postholder will contribute to data acquisition, quantitative analysis, and the optimisation of experimental workflows, supporting the day-to-day running of the laboratory, maintaining accurate records, and contributing to wider projects across the Ule Regulatory RNA Networks laboratory in collaboration with other team members. The post is based at the Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Denmark Hill campus, where the UKDRI Centre at King's and Ule Regulatory RNA Networks lab are located. The lab consists of 8 researchers including PhD students and postdoctoral fellows.

Working closely with other members of the Ule group, the postholder will be expected to:

• Plan and perform experiments and analyse data to support joint projects with other lab members.
• Generate novel iPSC lines using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing.
• Maintain and differentiate iPSCs into neurons.
• Characterise iPSC lines and derived neurons using molecular and cell biology techniques, including immunostaining, western blotting, and RT-qPCR.
• Analyse imaging data using automated image analysis tools.
• Manage and maintain cell line stocks, reagents and consumables.
• Contribute to relevant publications in collaboration with other team members.
• Continue professional development, including participation in staff development and review procedures in accordance with King's guidelines, including annual formal appraisal.
• Ensure the highest standard of record keeping, maintaining accurate, complete, and up-to-date records.
• Attend and contribute to departmental, institutional, and other meetings as appropriate.
• Adhere at all times to the policies, rules and regulations of the Centre, Department and King's.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week) and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31/03/2028 with the possibility of further extension dependent on funding. Research staff at King's are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• MSc in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Neurobiology, Cell Biology or a related discipline
• Experience in immunostaining, microscopy and image analysis
• Experience with molecular biology of ribonucleoprotein complexes and RNA regulation
• Experience in independent experimental design
• IT proficiency (Spreadsheet, Word Processing, Database, Email, Web based applications)
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and take initiative in problem-solving and experimental troubleshooting.

Desirable criteria

• Experience in working with iPSC cells
• Experience in genome editing techniques
• Experience with differentiating iPSC cells into neurons
• Experience with transcriptomics