Current Vacancies
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Key details
- Location: UK DRI at Cardiff
- Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum
About us:
The Baljit Khakh Laboratory is relocating from the University of California Los Angeles to the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at Cardiff and is seeking to appoint a number of Research Associates to join a newly established and ambitious research programme investigating the roles of astrocytes in brain function and dementia.
Professor Baljit S. Khakh, internationally recognized for discoveries in astrocyte physiology and neuron–glia signalling, is launching his new research programme at UK DRI Cardiff University in summer 2026. The lab will integrate molecular genetics, advanced imaging, electrophysiology, and translational neuroscience to explore fundamental neuroscience mechanisms and uncover how astrocyte dysfunction contributes to the onset and progression of dementia.
This is a new opportunity to join a leading neuroscience lab at one of the UK’s most vibrant and collaborative research hubs. The group will explore how astrocytes shape neural circuit activity, cognition, and neurodegeneration — with the goal of identifying new mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for dementia and related disorders. The laboratory will be housed in state-of-the-art research facilities within the Hadyn Ellis Building.
What you would be doing
To conduct research within the laboratory, integrating molecular genetics, advanced imaging, electrophysiology, and translational neuroscience to uncover how astrocyte dysfunction contributes to the onset and progression of dementia and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same. The posts are full time, require in person attendance and involve extensive experimental work and data analysis.
Duties and Responsibilities
- To conduct research with expertise in one or more of the following: in vivo imaging, brain slice electrophysiology, behavioural analyses, molecular genetics, viral vector design, molecular biology, proteomics or bioinformatics.
- Contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
- To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
- To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
- To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
- To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
- To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
- To participate in School research activities.
- To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects
- To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
- To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
- To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
What we are looking for
Qualifications and Education
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within one or more of the following research fields:
1. Molecular biology
2. RNAseq and data analyses
3. Proteomics and data analyses
4. Electrophysiology in any cellular setting in vivo or in brain slices
5. Calcium imaging in any cellular setting in vivo or in brain slices
6. Glial biology in cell culture or in vivo
7. In vivo approaches
8. Cell culture experience, ideally with stem cell-derived astrocytes
9. Understanding of cellular and molecular neuroscience
3. Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field of neuroscience and glial biology
4. Proven ability to publish in national journals and/or present data at national conferences
5. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies
Communication and Team Working
6. Proven ability in effective and transparent communication
7. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals
Other
8. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
9. Proven ability to work without close supervision -
Key details
- Location UK DRI at King's
- Salary: £45, 031 - £52,514 per annum
- Lab: Prof Jernej Ule
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.
About the role:
Professors Jernej Ule and Benjamin Blencowe are seeking a Research Associate to join a team of researchers working on the Wellcome funded project.
The successful candidate will focus on the design and testing of auto-gating therapeutics in the iNeuron models of neurologic diseases, which will also involve the generation and culture of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, their differentiation into neurons and analyses with transcriptomics and imaging, thus contributing to relevant publications in collaboration with other team members.
Some of the key skills involved include:
- Planning and performing high quality research under co-supervision of Ben Blencowe and Jernej Ule and in collaboration with other team members.
- Preparing figures, summarising the results and playing a leading role in writing the manuscripts to be submitted to peer-review journals.
- Supervision of visiting and rotating students related to the post holder’s work.
- Contributing to the multidisciplinary research strategy of the Centre and department
- Attend, contribute and present at international conferences as well as internal meetings at UK DRI, Departmental and with external collaborators as appropriate.
- Regular interaction with collaborators and coordination of joint work.
- Ensuring the highest standard of record keeping, maintaining accurate, complete, and up to date records.
- Continue professional development, including participation in staff development and review procedures in accordance with King’s guidelines, including annual formal appraisal.
About You:
Essential criteria
- Hold a PhD in Molecular or Cellular Biology, or a closely related discipline.
- Experience with molecular biology of ribonucleoprotein complexes and RNA regulation
- Experience in genome editing techniques.
- Experience with high-throughput sequencing and its analysis.
- Experience in immunostaining, microscopy and image analysis.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and take initiative in problem-solving and experimental troubleshooting.
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills
**** ***Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.
Desirable criteria
- Experience with working with iPSC cells
- Experience with Transcriptomics
- Experience with the studies of protein-RNA condensates
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Key details
- Location: UK DRI at King's
- Students will be fully funded for four years full time, to include home tuition fees, annual stipend and some research and travel costs.
About the Project
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive muscle weakness and paralysis through the loss of motor neurons. A major unresolved question is why motor neurons are so vulnerable. One likely contributor is their extreme cellular architecture: motor neuron axons can extend over very long distances, placing unusual demands on RNA transport, local protein synthesis and axonal maintenance.
Programme:
This PhD project will investigate how RNA granules - dynamic structures that organise RNA transport, translation and stress responses - are altered in ALS-affected human motor neurons, with a particular focus on long axons. Many ALS-linked proteins, including TDP-43 and FUS, are RNA-binding proteins associated with RNA granules, but the full landscape of RNA granules in long human motor axons remains poorly defined.
The student will use human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons carrying ALS-associated changes alongside matched control lines to map the RNA granule landscape in ALS, using imaging and biochemical approaches (including iCLIP and RNAseq). These cells will be grown on the Serio lab’s Long Axon Microarray (LAM) platform, which enables human motor neurons to extend axons over approximately 1 cm while retaining access for imaging and molecular analysis. This system has already revealed ALS-relevant axonal phenotypes that are not detectable in short-axon cultures.
The project will provide training in stem cell culture, motor neuron differentiation, bioengineered long-axon systems, advanced microscopy, RNA biology, transcriptomics and bioinformatic analysis. The student will be embedded in two closely collaborating ALS research groups at King’s and the UK Dementia Research Institute, with access to strong neurodegeneration, imaging and data-analysis expertise. The work aims to identify early, compartment-specific molecular changes in ALS and to reveal candidate pathways that could be targeted to preserve motor neuron axons.
How to apply:
In your application, you will be asked to include:- Academic Transcripts - where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application
- Details of your qualifications - you will need to attach copies
- Details of previous employment - please include your CV
- A personal statement describing your interests and why you wish to apply for this project. Please include this as an attachment rather than using the text box.
- Academic References – all admissions applications require one supporting reference. If the applicant is relying on their referees to submit a reference directly to the College after they have submitted their admissions application, then the applicant must ensure that (1) their chosen referee is made aware of the funding deadline (i.e. 7 days from application deadline) and (2) that the reference needs to be sent from an institutional email address
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Key details
- Location: UK DRI at King's
- Salary: £39,076 - £40,773 per annum,
- Lab: Prof. Jernej Ule
About us:
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.
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.
About the role:
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. For more information, please see the laboratory website
Working closely with other members of the Ule group, the postholder will be expected to:
- Planning and performing experiments and analysing data to support joint projects with other lab members.
- Generation of novel iPSC lines using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing.
- Maintenance and differentiation of iPSCs into neurons.
- Characterisation of iPSC lines and derived neurons using molecular and cell biology techniques, including immunostaining, western blotting, and RT-qPCR.
- Analysis of imaging data using automated image analysis tools.
- Management and maintenance of cell line stocks, reagents and consumables.
- Contributing to relevant publications in collaboration with other team members.
- Continuing professional development, including participation in staff development and review procedures in accordance with King's guidelines, including annual formal appraisal.
- Ensuring the highest standard of record keeping, maintaining accurate, complete, and up-to-date records.
- Attending and contributing to departmental, institutional, and other meetings as appropriate.
- Adhering at all times to the policies, rules and regulations of the Centre, Department and King's.
About you:
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
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Key details
- Location: UK DRI at King's
- Salary: £39,076 - £40,733 per annum
- Lab: Dr. Owen Gwydion James and Prof. Jernej Ule
About us:
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.
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.
About the role:
Dr. Owen Gwydion James and Prof. Jernej Ule are seeking a Research Assistant to join a team of researchers working on the roles of ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNP) and their defects in neurodegenerative disorders.
The postholder will work primarily with Dr. James and will be central to efforts to model RNA dysregulation in motor neuron disease (MND) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) 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.
Working closely with other members of the Ule group, the postholder will be expected to:
- Planning and performing experiments and analysing data under the supervision of Dr. James and Prof. Ule, and supporting other members of the Ule group where appropriate.
- Generation of novel iPSC lines using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing.
- Maintenance and differentiation of iPSCs into neurons.
- Characterisation of iPSC lines and derived neurons using molecular and cell biology techniques, including immunostaining, western blotting, and RT-qPCR.
- Analysis of imaging data using automated image analysis tools.
- Management and maintenance of cell line stocks, reagents and consumables.
- Contributing to relevant publications in collaboration with other team members.
- Continuing professional development, including participation in staff development and review procedures in accordance with King's guidelines, including annual formal appraisal.
- Ensuring the highest standard of record keeping, maintaining accurate, complete, and up-to-date records.
- Attending and contributing to departmental, institutional, and other meetings as appropriate.
- Adhering at all times to the policies, rules and regulations of the Centre, Department and King's.
About you:
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 o a related discipline
- Experience in working with IPS cells
- Experience of cellular and molecular biology
- Experience in experimental design and bench work.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and take initiative in problem-solving and experimental troubleshooting.
- Excellent communication skills
- IT proficiency (Spreadsheet, Word Processing, Database, Email, Web based applications)
Desirable criteria
- Experience with differentiating iPS cells into neurons.
- Experience with genome editing techniques.
- Experience with immunostaining and microscopy.
- Experience with image analysis techniques.
- Excellent organization skills, meticulous and accurate in all aspects of work.