Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Cellular Neuroscience

University of Oxford; England; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in the UK is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Cellular Neuroscience. The role involves contributing to research on synaptic inhibition and plasticity in the mammalian cortex, guiding team members, and requires expertise in electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry. The position is fixed-term for six months with a closing date for applications on 19 September 2025.

Qualifications

• Relevant PhD/DPhil (or nearing completion) in cellular neuroscience.
• Experience with patch clamp electrophysiological recordings in rodent cortex.
• Experience in immunohistochemistry and fluorescence imaging in rodent cortex.
• Experience with in vivo gene delivery techniques in the rodent brain.
• Familiarity with developing custom analysis scripts for data.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to a project investigating synaptic inhibition in mammalian cortex.
• Characterize novel mechanisms of synaptic efficacy changes.
• Guide less experienced research group members.
• Collaborate with team and work independently.

Skills

Patch clamp electrophysiological recordings

Immunohistochemistry

Fluorescence imaging

In vivo gene delivery techniques

Custom analysis scripts development

Education

PhD/DPhil in Cellular Neuroscience

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Cellular Neuroscience to work in the group of Professor Colin Akerman in the Department of Pharmacology. This is a fixed-term post, for six months, funded by the Medical Research Council and is due to start no earlier than January 2026.

Responsibilities

• Use experimental approaches to contribute to a project investigating aspects of synaptic inhibition and plasticity in the mammalian cortex.
• Carry out studies in rodents to characterize novel mechanisms by which synaptic efficacy changes as a function of recent experience.
• Provide guidance to less experienced members of the research group, including postdocs, research assistants, technicians, PhD students and project students. Collaborate as part of a team and work independently as required.

Qualifications / Requirements

• A relevant PhD/DPhil (or close to completion) with relevant experience in cellular neuroscience.
• Extensive experience with patch clamp electrophysiological recordings in the rodent cortex to quantify synaptic transmission.
• Extensive experience in immunohistochemistry and fluorescence imaging in rodent cortex.
• Extensive experience with in vivo gene delivery techniques in the rodent brain (e.g., viral delivery).
• Experience developing custom analysis scripts for quantifying synaptic inhibition.

Details

Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Friday 19 September 2025.

Salary: £39,424 - £47,779; Pay Scale: RESEARCH GRADE 7.

Contact Email: [e-mail]

Vacancy ID: 181827