An exciting opportunity is available for a 3-year postdoctoral position funded by the Wellcome Trust. The project will investigate whether menopause increases Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk in females by exacerbating vascular dysfunction. There is potential to extend the post beyond the initial 3 years.
The position is supervised by Dr Kira Shaw and Dr Ingo Schiessl and is part of the wider Brain Inflammation Group (braininflamelab.org). The successful candidate will also work closely with other group members, including Professor Stuart Allan, and with collaborators in the Microvascular@Manchester group (microvascularmanchester.com), including Dr Harry Pritchard and Professor Adam Greenstein. The post is based within the Division of Neuroscience at the University of Manchester.
You will investigate the effects of menopause on neurovascular health using preclinical mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease and AD risk (https://wellcome.org/research-funding/funding-portfolio/funded-grants/does-menopause-enhance-alzheimers-disease-risk). The role involves in vivo imaging approaches (e.g. multi-photon microscopy and optical imaging spectroscopy) to assess neuronal and vascular function in the hippocampus and neocortex of awake mice. You will also measure regional blood flow, blood volume, and oxygenation to understand how menopause, APOE genotype and/or amyloid pathology influence brain health. Cognitive function will be assessed using established behavioural tests. Post-mortem analysis will include immunohistochemistry and RNA sequencing to identify candidate treatments targeting menopause-sensitive vasodilation pathways.
Full training will be provided for any unfamiliar techniques. As a Wellcome Trust-funded researcher, you will have access to 10 training days per year and funding to attend one national and one international conference during the appointment. This is a chance to contribute to an ambitious, well-supported project while developing your own skills and career. The successful candidate will also have opportunities to collaborate across the wider lab and research networks.
Successful candidates may be subject to pre-employment screening carried out on our behalf by a third party. The offer of employment will be dependent on the successful candidate passing that screening. Whilst you will be required to provide express consent at a later stage, by continuing with your application now you acknowledge that you are aware that such screening will take place, and agree to take part in the process.
What you will get in return:
As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.
Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here
Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.
Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.
Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk. Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.
Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Dr Kira Shaw
Email: kira.shaw@sheffield.ac.uk
General enquiries:
Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk
Technical support:
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.
Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.
