Research Associate in Quantifying Neurodegenerative Disease Proteins

Research Assistant/Associate in Quantifying Neurodegenerative Disease Proteins

Requisition

Location:

Newcastle, GB

Contract Type:
Fixed Term

Working Pattern:
Full Time

Posted Date: 14 Oct 2025

Closing Date: 9 February 2026

Salary:
Research Assistant £33,002 - £34,610 per annum;
Research Associate £35,608 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package, the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

We are seeking a post‑doctoral Researcher based at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, UK (Co‑PIs Dr Christopher Morris, Dr Jon Sellars, Dr Paul Donaghy). We focus on the neurobiological basis of Lewy body disorders such as dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s, with the overarching goal of identifying novel biomarkers, treatments and therapeutic interventions. The programme integrates fundamental laboratory science with clinical research as part of the Mental Health, Dementia and Neurodegeneration Research Theme , which strongly aligns with the vision of Newcastle University and Newcastle University Centres of Research Excellence (NUCoREs).

The project will focus on identifying biomarkers of Parkinson’s and dementia with Lewy bodies and how these can be applied in clinical practice. The role will place particular emphasis on the chemical and biochemical aspects of biomarker discovery. The studies will be aimed at determining the pathological changes that occur in these disorders, how these changes relate to underlying disease biology, and how the biomarker changes can be translated into clinical use through a variety of patient samples including use of post‑mortem brain tissue, and patient biofluids obtained during life.

The post will develop and apply analytical chemistry and protein chemistry techniques to interrogate patient samples. The studies will explore molecular and chemical alterations underlying pathology in Lewy body disorders, such as changes in protein aggregation, post‑translational modifications, and small‑molecule metabolite signatures. Design and optimisation of fluorescent probes, high‑throughput biochemical assays, and chromatographic and mass spectrometry‑based platforms for quantitative biomarker profiling will be used.

Our major aim is to use these biomarkers to objectively determine severity of the underlying disease and relationships to clinical treatment and response.

This post is fixed term for a period of 9 months in the first instance with a view to extension for two years.

• Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholder will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial 'added value'
• Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
• Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
• Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
• May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants
• Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute.
• May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
• Develop an…