Research Associate in Alzheimer's Disease Mechanisms (Tau Biology)

Job description

About the role

Are you a motivated postdoctoral researcher keen to uncover the earliest mechanisms driving Alzheimer's disease?

We are seeking a Research Associate to join an Alzheimer's Research UK-funded project investigating how early tau aggregates form, propagate, and initiate neurodegeneration. The project combines human neuropathology, protein biochemistry, and cell-based systems to identify seeding‑competent tau species and define how astrocytes and amyloid-beta influence these processes.

The role involves working across a collaborative research programme at Imperial College London and the University of Oxford, applying integrated experimental approaches to understand disease initiation and progression.

What you would be doing

In this role, you will:

• Design and perform experiments investigating early tau aggregation and seeding
• Work with mammalian cell culture systems to study protein uptake and propagation
• Apply protein biochemical approaches to characterise aggregation states and protein species
• Use molecular approaches to modulate gene or protein expression in cellular systems
• Integrate cell-based and biochemical techniques within multi-step experimental workflows
• Analyse and interpret experimental data and refine research strategies
• Collaborate across research teams at Imperial and Oxford
• Contribute to coordination of project activities

Supervise and mentor a PhD student

What we are looking for

This role is particularly suited to candidates with strong hands-on laboratory experience combining cell biology, protein biochemistry, and molecular approaches to manipulate gene or protein expression, and who are confident working independently on complex experimental systems.

We are looking for candidates with:

• A PhD (or near completion) in a relevant discipline
• Demonstrated experience in mammalian cell culture systems
• Strong experience in protein-focused experimental work, including biochemical characterisation of protein states
• Experience in molecular manipulation of cellular systems (e.g. transfection, gene expression modulation, or related approaches)
• Experience working across multi-step experimental workflows
• Proven ability to design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments independently
• Evidence of research output (publications or equivalent)

Desirable:

• Experience in neurodegeneration or protein aggregation research
• Experience with human tissue or advanced experimental systems
• Experience supervising or mentoring students

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to contribute to a major ARUK-funded research programme
• A collaborative environment across leading laboratories at Imperial and Oxford
• Access to advanced facilities in neuropathology, biochemistry, and imaging
• Opportunities to publish, develop independence, and contribute to funding applications
• Dedicated career development support at Imperial, including 10 development days per year
• Competitive salary, pension, and benefits package

Further information

This is a full-time, fixed-term role to 31 January 2030, with the possibility of an extension based on funding.

The role is based at Imperial College London (Hammersmith Campus), with collaboration with the University of Oxford.

For informal enquiries, please contact: Mariam Abo Hammad, Department Operations Assistant - [email protected]

Clinical Associate Prof Javier Alegre Abarrategui - [email protected]