Postdoctoral Scientist in Lewy Body Dementia Research

We are looking for a highly-motivated researcher to join a multidisciplinary
research team funded by National Heath Institute (NIH) to dissect the
aetiology of Lew body dementias (LBD). These include Parkinson’s disease with
dementia (PDD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), which is the second most
common progressive dementia, after Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and it affects
millions of individuals around the world. Despite its impact, basic questions
remain unanswered. Specifically, it is not clear if PDD and DLB are distinct
diseases with different underlying mechanisms or if they are clinical
syndromes on a single mechanistic spectrum. Furthermore, there are virtually
no tools that enable clinicians to make an accurate diagnosis of LBD, which
can only be confirmed at autopsy. The lack of validated biomarkers for LBD
contributes to delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, and thus potentially
exposes individuals affected by DLB to inappropriate medication use and
results in the failure to treat DLB-specific manifestations. Thus, determining
if the DLB and PDD are molecularly distinct is necessary for the
identification of disease-specific therapeutic targets and biomarkers that
will lead to effective treatments. We will employ digital pathology with
artificial intelligence (AI) and genotyping in a large cohort of PDD and DLB
brain (n~1000) to perform the first GWAS assessing the role of genetics in
relation to quantitative PD neuropathology that may pinpoint to mechanistic
targets





Applicants must hold a PhD/DPhil (or close to completion) in Neuroscience or
relevant subject area. You will have experience in general molecular biology
techniques (e.g. immunohistochemistry, microscopy, DNA/RNA extraction) and
good knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases as well as neuroanatomy. The
ability to design experiments, trouble-shoot technical problems, be meticulous
in practical work and in record keeping is essential. You will be part of a
team but are also expected to work independently.





For informal enquiries, please contact Prof Laura Parkkinen (
laura.parkkinen@ndcn.ox.ac.uk).





Please see the below 'Job Description' for further details on the
responsibilities and selection criteria, as well as further information about
the university and how to apply.





**The post is full time for a fixed term until 30/04/25 in the first
instance.**





**Only applications received before 12.00 midday on Friday 29th November will
be considered.**





**Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.**