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By joining the UK DRI you’ll belong to a team of fantastic researchers, technical specialists and professional support staff passionate about accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of interventions that will help diagnose, treat and ultimately prevent dementia, directly benefitting people affected by dementia, their carers, families and the community.

We’re looking for brilliant people with diverse perspectives. Together our unique contributions will transform the range and pace of research on dementia. You’ll be supported by the very best tools and resources and join a culture that encourages high risk/reward science and sharing of ideas.

We are a vibrant, ambitious and interactive community. We offer opportunities at all career levels for scientists and support staff in our seven centres across the UK, as well as in our London-based HQ team.

We’re always interested in hearing from people as passionate about our mission as we are. To find out more about working at the UK DRI or our current opportunities, please contact us at enquiries@ukdri.ac.uk.

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​UK DRI at The University of Edinburgh

From brain vasculature to microglia: elucidating the interactions within the brain and with the body which control the trajectory of neurodegenerative disorders.

  • Specialisms at Edinburgh
  • Cellular interplay maintaining brain homeostasis and its disruption in dementia
  • Mechanisms of synapse-, neuron- and circuit-level dysfunction leading to cognitive decline
  • Macroglial and microglial roles in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration
  • Biology of cerebrovascular, blood-brain-barrier and metabolic dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease
  • Read more about Edinburgh

    Studies are increasingly highlighting the important role of immune, vascular and metabolic factors in the development of neurodegenerative diseases but the interplay between these components in disease progression is poorly understood. The UK DRI at Edinburgh broadens out the traditional view of neurodegenerative disease as a disorder of misfolded proteins to encompass the multicellular environment surrounding degenerating neurons.

    The research team lead by Professor Giles Hardingham examines the complex interactions between cells of the brain, immune system and blood vessels that make up the ‘neurogliovascular unit’. They bring together strengths in metabolism, inflammation, blood vessel biology and stem cell medicine to explore how interactions at the neurogliovascular unit control the trajectory of neurodegenerative diseases leading to dementia.

    By describing interactions at the neurogliovascular unit that help to maintain cognitive function for several decades in a healthy, ageing brain, the team aim to identify biological regulators that can inform the development of new therapies.

    UK DRI at The University of Edinburgh is located on the BioQuarter, Edinburgh's new multidisciplinary research institute and teaching hospital with access to superb multimodal neuroimaging and clinical research facilities.

Apply for latest jobs at Edinburgh

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, UK DRI at Edinburgh - Opazo lab

    The Opazo Lab at the UK DRI at Edinburgh is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with experience with in-vivo two-photon microscopy, optogenetics, stereotaxic surgeries and animal behaviour. The purpose of the role is to investigate the synaptic and neuronal compensatory mechanisms that preserve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease mouse models. The project will involve the visualization and optogenetic manipulations of synapses (e.g. dendritic spines) and neuronal ensembles using in-vivo two-photon imaging in the primary visual cortex; as well as AAV-mediated genetic manipulations and animal behaviour. The ideal candidate will have prior experience with in-vivo two-photon imaging microscopy, optogenetics, stereotaxic surgeries and animal behaviour. Some experience with transcriptomics/proteomics, in-utero electroporation, molecular biology and programming (Matlab), would be desirable. Ref: 10199, Closing date: 7 May 2024

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  • Research Assistant, UK DRI at Edinburgh - Opazo lab

    The Opazo Lab at the UK DRI at Edinburgh is seeking a Research Assistant to provide support for ongoing experiments using immunohistochemistry, confocal and two-photon microscopy, stereotaxic surgeries and AAV-mediated genetic manipulations. The primary purpose of the position is to provide research support for ongoing experiments on synaptic compensation and repair in Alzheimer’s disease models. The projects in the lab involve AAV-mediated genetic manipulations, as well as the visualization of synapses (e.g. dendritic spines) using in-vitro and in-vivo two-photon microscopy. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in stereotaxic surgeries, two-photon microscopy and management of transgenic mouse lines colonies, as well as the ability to conduct own research and associated administrative activities. Ref: 10202, Closing date: 7 May 2024

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  • Research Assistant, UK DRI at Edinburgh - Hasel lab

    The Hasel Lab at the UK DRI at Edinburgh is seeking a Research Assistant to help explore how astrocytes at the borders of the brain contribute to brain function and dysfunction in disease. The candidate will establish, carry out and optimise experimental protocols and perform laboratory organisational activities such as stock checks and ordering, medium and reagent prep and lab maintenance. The post-holder will contribute to data collection for original research through assisting with sample preparation, RNA in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, microscopy and data analysis. The job is in a new research group that combines wet lab work with computational tools and is a great opportunity to learn new skills in molecular biology, histology or help with the generation and analysis of single cell RNA-sequencing and spatial transcriptomics data. A B.Sc. (or equivalent qualification) or higher degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience or related field is essential. Ref: 10029, Closing date: Wed 26 April 2024

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