Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Postdoctoral Research Scientist

This post will investigate how Parkinson's disease-associated genetic perturbations alter mitochondrial function and cellular metabolism in human neurons. The postholder will extend, quality-control and use focused CRISPRi/a sgRNA libraries in iPSC-derived cortical neurons and validate priority findings in iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons. Cellular responses will be characterised using established high-content imaging, quantitative cellular phenotyping and assays of neuronal metabolism, under the supervision of Dr Brent Ryan in the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics.

The successful candidate will be based in the Ryan Group within the Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration at the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, South Parks Road, Oxford. The group has established expertise, protocols and experimental platforms for CRISPRi/a functional genomics, sgRNA design and cloning, iPSC culture and neuronal differentiation, high-content imaging, mitochondrial phenotyping and quantitative data analysis.

We welcome candidates with strong practical experience in one or more relevant areas, including CRISPR or molecular biology, functional genomics, iPSC or neuronal culture, high-content imaging, mitochondrial biology, cellular metabolism or quantitative cell biology. Training, established protocols and support from experienced members of the group will be provided for methods outside the successful candidate's existing expertise.

Working within a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment, the postholder will integrate these approaches to identify how common and rare Parkinson's-associated genes affect neuronal mitochondrial biology, define shared cellular mechanisms and prioritise findings for further validation. The role provides an opportunity to build on the candidate's existing strengths while developing broader expertise across functional genomics, human neuronal models and quantitative cellular phenotyping.

Key responsibilities include maintaining iPSC cultures and differentiating iPSC lines into dopaminergic or cortical neurons, performing medium-throughput experiments in iPSC-derived neuronal models using small-molecule treatments and CRISPR-based genetic perturbations, creating and maintaining sgRNA libraries to enable CRISPR-mediated manipulation of disease-related genes in neurons, and applying, developing and optimising cellular, molecular, high-content imaging and metabolic assays to assess mitochondrial, organelle and broader neuronal phenotypes relevant to neurological disease.

Essential selection criteria include holding a PhD/DPhil in neuroscience or cell/molecular biology or equivalent, having experience in neuronal/glial cell culture, preferably in human pluripotent stem cells, having experience in setting up cellular assays, such as image-based experiments, having knowledge of neurodegenerative disorders, and being highly motivated with the capacity to think creatively and work across teams.

What we offer includes an excellent contributory pension scheme, 38 days annual leave, a comprehensive range of childcare services, family leave schemes, cycle and electric car loan schemes, employee assistance programme, membership to a variety of social and sports clubs, discounted bus travel and season ticket travel loans.

How to apply: Please provide a supporting statement outlining how you meet the selection criteria along with your CV, and the details of two referees as part of your online application. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 19/10/26. Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 26/10/26, and will be face to face / held on Microsoft Teams, depending on applicant's location.