Research Associate in Neuroscience : London, United Kingdom

UCL – School of Pharmacy

Research Associate in Neuroscience

The appointment will be full time on UCL Grade 7. The salary range will be £33,353 – £35,196 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

We are seeking a highly motivated, very enthusiastic Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the group of Professor Mala Shah to investigate how neurotransmitters affect axonal KV7 channel function in hippocampal dentate gyrus granule cells and mossy fiber boutons. The group first showed that KV7 channels in the axon initial segments are important for setting the action potential threshold (Shah et al. (2008), PNAS, 105, 7869-74; Martinello et al. (2015), Neuron, 85, 346-63). More recently, the group has shown that long-term inhibition of these axonal KV7 channels by muscarinic receptors leads to enhanced granule cell excitability (Martinello et al. (2015), Neuron, 85, 346-63). We are now seeking a postdoctoral research associate who would be able to continue to explore the modulation of axonal and synaptic KV7 channels by neurotransmitters using electrophysiological recordings and two-photon imaging.

Subject to the regulations of the funding bodies appropriately qualified members of research staff will be expected to contribute to teaching or other departmental activities. At the present time this is estimated to amount to an absolute maximum of thirty contact teaching hours per annum for full time staff.

This post is funded by a BBSRC Grant for 24 months in the first instance.

The successful candidate must have (or expect to have) a Ph.D. in a relevant subject area. The candidate must have significant experience in making whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from neurons present in in brain slices. A good understanding of neuronal and synaptic physiology is required. In addition, the candidate should be able to work independently as well as part of a team.

If you have any queries regarding the vacancy or the application process, please contact Alpa Patel, Staffing & HR Administrator.