Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Edinburgh

Contract Type – Fixed Term – 5 years

We seek a talented and ambitious Postdoctoral Research Fellow to investigate how specific regulators of microglia state (abundance/function) influence the microglia-endothelial cell axis in the development and progression of white matter abnormalities relevant to vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. 

This key position, part of a large collaborative programme funded by NIH/NINDS, is reviewed on an annual basis with potential for funding up to 5 years. 

The Opportunity:

The project will combine a well characterised preclinical model of white matter damage and vascular cognitive impairment with genetic and pharmacological approaches to modify microglia state. A range of in vivo, cellular, molecular and quantitative neuroimaging techniques will be used including behavioural measures of cognitive abilities and preclinical MRI/DTI/PET neuroimaging to study blood brain barrier integrity, white matter microstructure and inflammation. In parallel collaborative studies  supported by other researchers, single cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, will be used to identify how targeting regulators of microglia number/function impact on microglia and on endothelial cell populations, their cell state(s), intercellular communication and how these might alter in relation to the progression of white matter abnormalities and cognition. The work will also be related to findings in relevant human cohorts.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• PhD or other higher level degree (MD/PhD etc) in relevant discipline (eg neuroscience, immunology, biomedical sciences).
• Experience in the field of cerebrovascular and/or Alzheimer’s disease and/or neuroimmunology.
• Experience in animal work involving models of CNS injury
• Experience with assessment of CNS pathology/function using neuroimaging (eg MRI/PET) and/or behaviour. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.