Applications are invited for a Research Associate position to join a team of researchers investigating the capacity of a small molecule to reduce the level of mutant mitochondrial DNA in patients with mitochondrial disease in a safety and efficacy trial.

The point mutation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) at nucleotide position 3243 is the most common cause of mitochondrial disease. These diseases are largely untreatable at present. The mutant mtDNA (m.3243G) is essentially recessive and reducing the proportion of m.3243G by a few percentage points can produce substantial improvements in mitochondrial function. In prior work we have demonstrated that a small molecule is capable of decreasing the level of m.3243G in cells of patients with mitochondrial disease. The compound has been used in humans previously and we will next assess its capacity to decrease the level of mutant mtDNA in patients´ blood, urinary epithelia cells and muscle, in a project supported principally by Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Successful candidate must have a PhD in cell biology/biochemistry or a related subject area and Honours degree in biology or a related discipline. Experience in in vitro laboratory studies, including molecular biology techniques and cell culture Experience in in vitro laboratory studies, including molecular biology techniques and cell culture is essential as is Experience in mitochondrial diseases.

The post is available from  March 2018 and is funded for 2 months by the Medical Research Council and by a grant from Muscular Dystrophy UK for 12 months in the first instance.

The post is graded as Grade 7 with starting salary in the range £34,635 to £37,551 per annum (including London Allowance).  

You should apply for this post through UCL's online recruitment www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/jobs  where you can download a job description and person specification using ref: 1718139

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Oksana Shapoval, HR Officer, UCL Institute of Neurology (email: IoN.HRAdmin@ucl.ac.uk).  

UCL Taking Action for Equality