Postdoctoral Research Associate

PRIMARY DETAIL

Join a leading dementia research team to uncover the role of interneuron populations in Alzheimer’s disease
- Appointment Type: Fixed Term employment for 12 months (with possible extension contingent to funding available)
- Location: Macquarie University (Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde)

The Role

This role requires significant independence in experimental planning and execution, data analysis, and reporting while offering an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in a collaborative and dynamic environment.
- Specific role requirements:_- Administer and test AAVs in various mouse models to dissect the role of interneurons in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis, including behavioural testing, monitoring of mice and analysis of data.- Experience in mammalian cell biology techniques including cell culture maintenance, transfections and transductions, DNA cloning, western blotting, immunofluorescence microscopy, live-cell imaging and/or immunoprecipitations.- Conduct molecular biology experiments such as: RT-PCR, DNA/RNA extractions, molecular cloning and modification of DNA plasmids.- Maintain and monitor a large mouse colony to a high standard. This includes setting up of breeding pairs, monitoring pregnancies, weaning offspring, tissue harvesting, record keeping and genotyping of mice.- Contribute to manuscript preparation for publication and present findings at scientific conferences.

About You

You are a highly motivated researcher with experience working with laboratory animals and a strong interest in using these models to test and assess novel AAV-based constructs to investigate the role of specific interneuron populations in Alzheimer's disease.

Experience with behavioural, biochemical, and histological analysis in
rodents is highly desirable.

You demonstrate initiative and independence, with the ability to drive projects to completion. You work effectively both autonomously and within a multidisciplinary team. You also have a strong publication record, experience presenting at scientific conferences, and excellent time and project management skills to meet tight deadlines and milestones.

Your exceptional communication and interpersonal skills enable you to
collaborate successfully with internal and external stakeholders across all levels.

About Us
The

Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences

(FMHHS)

is ambitiously pushing the boundaries of progressive thinking and challenging what’s possible to solve some of the big issues of our time, both nationally and on a global scale. The Faculty forms part of MQ Health, an integrated academic health sciences enterprise which incorporates Macquarie University Hospital and primary and specialty clinics. We have active research programs in neurosciences, health systems and patient safety research, cancer medicine, and clinical sciences, amongst others. We foster a values-based culture of innovation and creativity to achieve excellence in teaching and to enhance the research performance of the University. We invest in developing the careers and wellbeing of our students and staff and expect all our leaders to live our values of Caring, Integrity, Teamwork, Ambition, Innovation, and Engagement.

Within the Faculty, the

Dementia Research Centre

provides an environment for innovative, interdisciplinary research for dementia and other neurological conditions, using and developing state-of-the-art technologies to advance basic discoveries towards translation into clinical treatments. The Dementia Research Centre is committed to providing a unique and supportive mentoring program to allow the growth of future leaders for dementia research. This position provides a unique opportunity to develop advanced technical skills while making a meaningful contribution to understanding neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.

Join us and make a positive difference to the lives of people living with Dementia.

As part of Macquarie University, a globally engaged institution, we are committed to solving the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation in 1964, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community.

Connect with us today

and learn more about the Dementia Research Centre.

To Apply
- Essential Criteria_- PhD in Neuroscience, Medical Science, Cell Biology or a closely related discipline; ideally with a focus on neurological disorders and/or neurodegeneration.- Experience with handling and characterisation of laboratory rodents, particularly behavioural analysis. Experience with administrating reagents to rodents via various methods and routes, as well as the maintenance and care of large mouse colonies and associated animal ethics is highly desirable.- Experience with biochemical and histological analysis of biological samples, including protein extraction, western blotting, immunofl