Research Assistant in Motor Neuron Disease

The Oxford Motor Neuron Disease (MND, also known as Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis, ALS) Centre requires an enthusiastic research assistant for the
opportunity to develop their expertise in Motor Neurone Disease (MND, also
known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS, and the related disorder
frontotemporal dementia, FTD) through their engagement with an established
internationally-leading programme of neuroscience research led by Professor
Martin Turner, Professor Kevin Talbot and Dr Alexander Thompson.





This post would be very suitable for a bioscience graduate who is considering
going on to study for a doctorate in neuroscience. It requires excellent
organisational skills and attention to detail.





The post holder will be responsible for supporting all aspects of the Good
Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) laboratory set up for the measurement of
trial participant blood samples that underpins a major new UK drug screening
platform in MND, the ‘EXPErimental Route To Success in ALS’ (EXPERTS-ALS,
www.experts-als.uk).





A major rate-limiting step in therapeutic advancement for ALS is the capacity
to deliver Phase 3 randomised controlled trials at pace for a growing pool of
drugs. Through multiple cohort studies, blood neurofilament light chain (NfL)
level has been established as an objective correlate of the individual rate of
disability progression in ALS.





EXPERTS-ALS is a randomised, open-label, multi-arm study that will prioritise
groups of candidate drugs by their ability to lower NfL levels in relatively
small groups of ALS patients over up to 6 months per drug. It involves 11 MND
centres around the UK. The Sheffield CTRU has general trial management
oversight. A separate ground-breaking experimental medicine programme will
enable the analysis of samples generated from participants for the development
of novel biomarkers.





The EXPERTS-ALS platform hinges on the robust and high-throughput NfL
measurement using the SIMOA HDX instrument (Quanterix) which is run by a
postdoctoral scientist alongside this post holder. The analysis of human
samples collected as part of this clinical trial must comply with the
Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 and will provide
the primary endpoint data that will dictate the outcome of each clinical trial
arm. The post holder will work alongside the post-doctoral scientist, Clinical
Research Project Manager, with oversight from an independent Quality Assurance
Consultant and an existing Senior Clinical Project Manager to ensure that the
data generated is documented and reported in compliance with GCLP and the
applicable regulatory requirements.





The post offers the opportunity to become proficient in biofluid sample
processing, analytical techniques such as ELISA, experience of working within
a Quality Management System of a GCLP laboratory and to gain experience in
neurodegeneration research as it relates to MND. As such the post would be
very suitable for a bioscience graduate who is considering going on to study
for a doctorate in neuroscience. The post requires excellent organisational
skills and attention to detail.





The post-holder will join a wider vibrant team of more than 30 people in the
Oxford MND Centre who are involved in a range of basic science and patient-
based research, plus those involved in the clinical care of those living with
MND. It is an opportunity to be closely involved in driving one of the most
significant global advances in drug screening in MND and biofluid biomarker
development more widely.





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 available from 11th March 2025 until
31st March 2027.**





**Only applications received before 12.00 midday on Friday 14th February 2025
will be considered.**





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