Research Associate in Cambridge

We are seeking a postdoctoral research associate with hands-on expertise in in vivo fibre photometry to join the group of Dr Clémence Blouet at the Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge. The project aims to understand how the brain detects changes in glucose availability, and how glucose-sensing neurons and circuits engage the behavioural and physiological responses that maintain glucose homeostasis, and how this is impaired in diabetes.

You will use in vivo fibre photometry in freely moving mice, together with genetically encoded calcium and neurotransmitter sensors, cell-type-specific transgenic and viral approaches, and controlled metabolic challenges (e.g. changes in circulating glucose, insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, glucoprivation and central or peripheral nutrient delivery), to record the activity of defined neuronal populations in real time and relate their dynamics to blood glucose, feeding behaviour and counter-regulatory responses.

This position offers an ideal opportunity for a highly motivated scientist wishing to develop their career in the neurobiology of metabolic control within a world-class research environment.

You will be expected to

• Design and perform in vivo fibre photometry experiments in mice to monitor glucose-sensing neuronal populations in response to metabolic challenges
• Perform stereotaxic surgery, including Cre-dependent viral vector delivery and optic fibre and cannula implantation
• Combine photometry with behavioural and metabolic assessments (e.g. glucose and insulin tolerance tests, food intake) and, where appropriate, chemogenetic or optogenetic manipulations
• Process, analyse and interpret complex time-series datasets, and verify fibre placement and sensor expression by histology and microscopy
• Prepare brain slices for ex vivo electrophysiology and calcium imaging
• Manage transgenic mouse colonies and ensure all work is carried out in accordance with good practice, the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act and local policies
• Contribute to laboratory-wide discussions on developments within the field
• Present scientific work at internal and external seminars and meetings
• Draft scientific papers and contribute to the preparation of research for publication
• Assist in training students and other members of the laboratory
• Identify funding sources to support your future work and career development

To be considered for this position, you must

• Hold (or be close to completing) a PhD in neuroscience, physiology or a related field
• Have a publication record that demonstrates scientific rigour and productivity
• Hold a Home Office Personal Licence (PIL)
• Be able to work independently and troubleshoot experimental problems
• Be self-motivated, creative and curious, with excellent record-keeping, organisational, communication and interpersonal skills

You must have hands-on experience of

• In vivo fibre photometry in mice, from surgery and signal acquisition through to data analysis
• Ex vivo electrophysiology
• Stereotaxic surgery and aseptic technique
• Working with transgenic mouse lines and colony management
• Mouse brain histology (tissue preparation, sectioning, immunostaining) and confocal microscopy
• Basic molecular biology techniques

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Experience of the following would be an advantage

• Mouse models of glucose homeostasis and metabolic phenotyping (e.g. glucose/insulin tolerance tests, hypoglycaemia, glucoprivation)
• Chemogenetic and/or optogenetic circuit manipulation
• Analysis of photometry data using Python, MATLAB or R
• Tissue clearing and light-sheet imaging

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance. **Proposed start date: As soon as possible

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Clémence Blouet, Metabolic Research Laboratories, Level 4, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Box 289, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ. Email: csb69@medschl.cam.ac.uk

Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD. Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,610) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award. Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Please quote reference RG51703 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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