Research Associate in Neuropathology and Protein Seeding Assays

About the role

Are you interested in developing next-generation tools to understand how pathological protein aggregates drive neurodegenerative disease?

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join an Alzheimer's Research UK-funded pilot project entitled “Novel in situ seeding immunodetection assays for beta-amyloid and TDP-43". The project will establish RT-QuIC assays for TDP-43 and beta-amyloid and develop innovative in situ Seeding Immunodetection (isSID) assays, a recently developed technology that enables visualisation of protein seeding activity at cellular and regional resolution within intact tissue.

The successful candidate will work with human post-mortem brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid from individuals with Alzheimer's disease, LATE-NC and frontotemporal lobar degeneration to investigate where and how disease-driving protein aggregates initiate and propagate. The project combines neuropathology, protein biochemistry, assay development, advanced microscopy and quantitative image analysis

What you would be doing

In this role, you will:

Establish and optimise RT-QuIC assays for TDP-43 and beta-amyloid using human brain tissue and CSF.Develop and apply novel isSID assays for beta-amyloid and TDP-43 on human post-mortem brain tissue sections.

Prepare and characterise human brain homogenates and other biological samples from neurodegenerative disease cohorts.

Perform immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and quantitative microscopy studies.

Generate and analyse whole-slide imaging and confocal microscopy datasets.

Correlate seeding activity with neuropathological features and associated clinical information.

Optimise experimental workflows and establish standard operating procedures for newly developed assays.

Prepare manuscripts for publication and present findings at scientific meetings.

Contribute to future funding applications arising from this project.

What we are looking forThis role is particularly suited to candidates with expertise in protein aggregation, neuropathology, protein biochemistry, quantitative imaging, assay development, or related experimental approaches, who are interested in developing innovative methodologies to study neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.

We are looking for candidates with:

A PhD (or near completion) in neuroscience, neuropathology, molecular biology, protein biochemistry or a related discipline.

Experience working with protein-focused experimental research.

Experience with immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence or related tissue-based methodologies.

Experience with quantitative microscopy and image analysis.

Experience designing, troubleshooting and optimising laboratory assays.

Ability to independently plan and execute experimental work.

Evidence of scientific productivity through publications, preprints or equivalent outputs.

Particularly advantageous

Experience with RT-QuIC, PMCA or related seeding amplification assays.

Experience studying protein aggregation or amyloidogenic proteins.

Experience working with human post-mortem tissue or neuropathology.

Experience developing novel experimental methodologies or assay platforms.

Experience with TDP-43, beta-amyloid, tau or alpha-synuclein biology.

What we can offer youThe opportunity to work on a highly innovative Alzheimer's Research UK-funded methodology project investigating the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease.

The opportunity to lead development of novel RT-QuIC and in situ Seeding Immunodetection (isSID) assays, extending a recently developed and patented technology platform.

Access to the Imperial College Brain Bank and unique collections of human post-mortem tissue and associated clinical data.

The opportunity to generate high-impact publications from assay development and application to human neurodegenerative disease tissue.

Opportunities to contribute to future grant applications and help shape the next phase of development of this research programme.

The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.

Access to Imperial's dedicated career support for researchers and opportunities for promotion and progression.

As a member of research staff, you will have 10 development days per year to support your career development.

Generous annual leave allowance and pension scheme.

A collaborative, inclusive and multidisciplinary research environment with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further information

This is a full-time fixed term post based at our Hammersmith Campus.

For informal enquiries, please contact:

Mariam Abo Hammad, Department Operations Assistant – m.abo-hammad.uk Clinical Associate Prof Javier Alegre-Abarrategui –