Research Assistant - Neuronal cell biologist in Targeting calcium channels in Parkinson’s disease

Department: Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU

Contract & job type: Full-time, Fixed-term until 31 December 2027

About us: At the Department of Physiology Anatomy & Genetics (DPAG) we undertake discovery science where we reassemble physiological processes at the molecular, cellular, tissue and systems level of organisation. In so doing we provide a bridge to translational medicine, and interface between physical and life sciences. We are committed not only to innovative research and the highest standard of teaching, but also to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Overview of the role: Applications are invited for a Research Assistant (Neuronal cell biologist) to work on a project to target calcium channels in Parkinson’s disease. The project, funded by the Michael J Fox Foundation and in collaboration with Lario Therapeutics, represents an exciting opportunity to undertake translation work at the interface between academic research and pharmaceutical target and drug discovery in an exceptional setting. This work will develop new inhibitors of calcium channels as a neuroprotective strategy to protect vulnerable dopamine neurons in Parkinson’s working with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived dopamine neurons generated from Parkinson’s patients.

The post is available from July 2026 and runs until December 2027.

Key responsibilities:

• Apply cellular and molecular imaging techniques to probe calcium channel biology in iPSC-derived neurons
• Study the phenotypic impact of pharmacological inhibitors of calcium channels on the cell biology phenotype
• Undertake maintenance culture and neuronal differentiation of iPSC lines and differentiation into dopamine neurons
• Contribute to wider project planning, including ideas for new research projects
• Determine the most appropriate methodologies to test hypotheses, and identify suitable alternatives if technical problems arise
• Gather, analyse, and present scientific data from a variety of sources
• Contribute to scientific reports and journal articles and the presentation of data/papers at conferences
• Manage own research and administrative activities, within guidelines provided by senior colleagues
• Collaborate effectively with other team members to achieve collective goals

Selection criteria:

• Hold or be near to completion of a BSc or MSc degree in neuroscience or cell/molecular biology, or equivalent.
• Experience in neuronal cell culture, preferably in human pluripotent stem cells
• Experience in setting up cellular assays, including image-based experiments
• Knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s
• Must have excellent IT skills including word-processing and spreadsheet or scientific graphic packages
• The candidate will be highly motivated, with the capacity to think creatively and work across teams

What we offer: Your wellbeing at work matters, so we offer a range of family friendly and financial benefits including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle and electric car loan schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

How to apply: Please provide a supporting statement outlining how you meet the selection criteria along with your CV, and the details of two referees as part of your online application. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 22 May. Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 01 June, and will be face to face. Applications are particularly welcome from women, black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

Follow us: Stay connected with us on LinkedIn, Bluesky and Instagram to learn more about our work and culture. Informal enquiries about the role may be directed to the DPAG HR Team: hr@dpag.ox.ac.uk

DPAG’s Statement of Inclusion: We, as a Department and Community, will be considerate and welcoming of all people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socio-economic background. We acknowledge societal inequalities and how these impact us, and those around us, personally and professionally. Our policies, practices and Respectful Behaviours Framework underpin this commitment.

DPAG and Sustainability: We have signed up to The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) and Green Impact, actively implementing and encouraging eco-friendly practices that reduce waste, promote energy efficiency, and promote bio-diversity. See the job description for more detail.