Research Assistant in Parkinson’s Disease Biomarkers

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Translational Neuropathology Group (TNG) at the University of Oxford is recruiting a Research Assistant to work on the Deciphering the Aggregatome project. Based at the John Radcliffe Hospital, you will contribute to experimental characterisation and quantification of α-synuclein seeding and handle human biosamples under supervision.

The role offers collaboration across a multinational research program.

Responsibilities

• Optimise, perform and quality-control α-synuclein SAAs on cerebrospinal fluid and brain-derived material
• Prepare and analyse human biosamples and contribute to data and protocol sharing within the consortium
• Collaborate with scientists in Oxford and across the ASAP Collaborative Research Network to develop translational neuropathology skills

Job description

Location: John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU.

We are seeking a Research Assistant to the Translational Neuropathology Group (TNG) led by Professor Laura Parkkinen, in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN), University of Oxford. The post is part of “Deciphering the Aggregatome: Unravelling Alpha-Synuclein Seeding Drivers in Parkinson’s Disease”, an international research programme supported by Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP). The project brings together Oxford, the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry and LMU Munich to investigate why Parkinson’s disease progresses differently between individuals and to identify molecular determinants of α-synuclein seeding.

Misfolded α-synuclein aggregates are a defining pathological feature of Parkinson’s disease and related synucleinopathies. Seed amplification assays (SAAs), including RT-QuIC, can detect disease-associated α-synuclein seeding activity in human samples. The TNG group in Oxford has contributed to the development and application of these approaches in cerebrospinal fluid [1, 2] and to the biochemical characterisation of human brain-derived α-synuclein aggregates [3]. However, it remains unclear which molecular features explain differences in seeding activity and clinical progression.

The collaborative project will investigate the “aggregatome”, the molecular environment associated with α-synuclein aggregates, including interacting proteins, post-translational modifications, lipids and glycosaminoglycans. Complementary SAAs will be combined with biochemical and structural analyses, spatially resolved measurements and multi-omics data across brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, blood and skin. By comparing matched and longitudinal samples, the consortium aims to distinguish factors associated with seeding from those that functionally modify it, and to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

At Oxford, the postholder will contribute primarily to the experimental characterisation and quantification of α-synuclein seeding and to the preparation and analysis of human biosamples. Working with Professor Parkkinen and under the day-to-day supervision of Dr Livia Civitelli, they will collaborate with scientists in Oxford and across the ASAP Collaborative Research Network. This is an opportunity to develop specialist skills in translational neuropathology, quantitative assays, reproducible data analysis and open science within a multidisciplinary international programme.

The postholder will optimise, perform and quality-control α-synuclein SAAs on cerebrospinal fluid and brain-derived material, and, as required by the study plan, other human biomaterials. They will support complementary assay formats, including quantitative, recursive and in situ approaches [4-6], where appropriate to their training and project priorities; compare assay kinetics and seeding profiles; and assist with biochemical and morphological characterisation of native and amplified aggregates. They will maintain rigorous sample traceability, experimental records and reproducible analysis workflows, and contribute data and protocols to consortium-wide analyses and outputs.

For any queries regarding visa sponsorship, HR and the University’s Staff Immigration Team will provide advice and assistance when the chosen candidate for the role has been identified.

The post is full time for a fixed term until the 31st of March 2029.

Only applications received before 12.00 midday on Friday 20th November will be considered.

Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.

Contact Person: NDCN HR Recruitment

Closing Date & Time: 20-Nov-2026 12:00

Contact Email: [e-mail]

£36,360 to £42,434 per annum. Research Grade 6