Research Assistant in EXPERTS-ALS Trial

General Description

University of Oxford – Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN)

John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom

The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN) at the University of Oxford is seeking to appoint a Research Assistant to support the EXPERTS-ALS clinical trial within the Oxford Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Centre. This position provides an opportunity to contribute to an internationally significant neuroscience research programme focused on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Motor Neuron Disease.

The successful candidate will join a laboratory team responsible for delivering assay results that underpin a multicentre drug screening programme in ALS. The role involves supporting the establishment and operation of a Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) laboratory responsible for measuring trial participant blood samples that serve as an outcome measure for the “EXPErimental Route To Success in ALS” (EXPERTS-ALS) study.

A major challenge in advancing treatments for ALS is the ability to conduct Phase III randomized controlled trials efficiently across a growing number of potential therapies. EXPERTS-ALS addresses this challenge through a randomized, open-label, multi-arm platform study designed to prioritize candidate drugs based on their ability to reduce levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) in the blood, an established biomarker associated with the rate of disability progression in ALS.

The trial involves 11 MND centres across the United Kingdom, with overall trial management overseen by the Sheffield Clinical Trials Research Unit. In parallel, a pioneering experimental medicine programme supports the analysis of participant samples to facilitate the development of new biomarkers.

A core component of the project is the high-throughput measurement of NfL using the SIMOA HDX instrument (Quanterix). The laboratory team performing this analysis includes a postdoctoral scientist, a research assistant, and the appointed post-holder. All analyses must comply with the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 and provide the primary endpoint data determining the outcome of each trial arm.

The successful candidate will work closely with the post-doctoral scientist, another research assistant, the Clinical Research Project Manager, and other trial leadership personnel to ensure that all generated data are documented and reported in accordance with GCLP and regulatory requirements.

The role offers the opportunity to develop expertise in biofluid sample processing and analytical laboratory techniques such as ELISA, to gain experience working within the Quality Management System of a GCLP laboratory, and to contribute to research on neurodegenerative disease related to motor neuron disease. The position is particularly suited to a bioscience graduate considering future doctoral study in neuroscience or related disciplines.

The post-holder will join a dynamic team of more than 30 researchers and clinicians within the Oxford MND Centre engaged in both laboratory and patient-based research. The position provides the opportunity to contribute directly to a major global initiative aimed at accelerating drug discovery and biomarker development for ALS.

This position is full-time and fixed-term from 1 April 2026 until 31 March 2027.

• A degree in bioscience or a closely related discipline
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively within a collaborative laboratory team

• Excellent organisational and laboratory record-keeping skills
• Ability to support laboratory operations in a regulated research environment
• Knowledge or willingness to learn biofluid sample processing methods
• Familiarity with laboratory analytical techniques such as ELISA (or ability to develop these skills)
• Capacity to work within a Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) framework and comply with regulatory standards
• Strong teamwork and communication skills for multidisciplinary research collaboration

£35,681 – £41,636 per annum

23 March 2026 (12:00 noon)