Post Status: 3 year contract
Discipline/Faculty: School of Biochemistry and Immunology
Location: Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience
Salary: €37,750 - €40,003
Closing Date: 12 noon on April 29th 2011
Post Summary
The successful applicant will be responsible for performing inter-disciplinary research on the subject of brain inflammation, neurodegeneration, brain neurochemistry and acute cognitive impairments.
Background to the Post
This post is a three year post-doctoral position funded by the Wellcome Trust to work on animal models of delirium during dementia. The research group comprises the principal investigator, three Ph.D. students and one research assistant and is focused on the interaction between systemic inflammation and existing chronic neurodegeneration.
Scientific Background
Delirium is a profound acute disturbance of cognitive and mental function that can last from hours to weeks. As well as the distressing nature of the acute episode, delirium also significantly alters the progression of dementias such as Alzheimer's disease and shortens time to permanent institutionalisation and death. The most common triggers for these episodes in the aged and demented population are systemic infection or inflammation, injury or surgery and particular changes in medication. We have developed models with which to study this phenomenon and the successful applicant will be actively involved in this research.
Principal Duties
x Performance of biochemical analysis of brain tissue.
x Performance of behavioural experiments with rodents.
x Implementation of in vivo biosensor experiments (in collaboration with Prof Lowry, NUIM).
x Preparation and analysis of histological sections for immunohistochemistry/microscopy.
x Development of new techniques in the laboratory as may arise.
x Assistance with the management and supervision of students in the laboratory.
Person Specification
We are seeking, highly motivated and well-organised individual with a strong interest in
neuroscience and inflammation. The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in a related sphere
of Neuroscience, although applicants with a background in inflammation/immunology will also
be considered. The University of Dublin
Trinity College Dublin
Knowledge & Experience
The ideal candidate will have experience of experimental neuropathology and of behavioural assessment of mice and experience in standard biochemical techniques such as quantitative PCR, ELISA, western blotting and immunoprecipitation. Additional experience in molecular biological techniques and in cell culture would be of considerable benefit to the position. The proposed experiments involve microdialysis and biosensor experiments and experience in these techniques and in the HPLC analysis of neurotransmitters and their metabolites would also useful, although the latter are not requirements and training will be given. The successful candidate should also have already demonstrated research productivity and independent thinking during their post-graduate studies. The candidate will be expected to have good I.T skills.
School and Faculty Summary OR Area Summary
The work will take place with the School of Biochemistry and Immunology, a dynamic research-led school, but will maintain a strong affiliation with the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN). TCIN is an interdisciplinary research and teaching institute housing researchers across traditionally distinct academic boundaries.
Information relating our area of research are available on-line http://www.tcd.ie/Biochemistry/research/c_cunningham.php
Informal enquiries to colm.cunningham@tcd.ie
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