The Role
Type I interferons (IFN-I) are best known as an essential mediator of antiviral immunity, yet their neurotoxic potential is increasingly acknowledged. A common signature of dysregulated IFN-I signalling has been identified across a diverse range of neurological disease states, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases as well as aging and vascular diseases of the CNS.
Identification of shared pathomechanism in these disorders would offer an efficient route to therapy. Dementias alone cost the UK economy more than £17 billion according to UK government estimates. The burden of disease is expected to rise as populations age, with projections suggesting 25% of the European population will be aged over 65 in 2030. Yet fundamental questions remain unanswered concerning the possible involvement of IFN-I in neurological disease, foremost among them whether IFN-I contributes directly to CNS disease or is induced as a consequence of neurological damage.
Arguably the strongest evidence for a directly causal role in neuropathology comes from a group of rare inborn errors of immunity termed type I interferonopathies [PMID: 34671122]. Our group previously identified a type I interferonopathy associated with homozygous mutation of STAT2 [PMID: 31836668]. We have generated a mouse model of this disorder, in which neurological disease is recapitulated and where multiple CNS cell types including microglia, neurones and endothelial cells exhibit pathological effects (unpublished). This project explores the cellular drivers of IFN-mediated pathology using conditional in vivo expression of the pathogenic allele in individual cell types, allied with human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) models of the corresponding cell types in vitro. We will also assess novel IFN-I inhibitors developed in partnership with medicinal chemistry collaborators. This project will shed light on direct and indirect pathogenic properities of IFN-I in the CNS, providing a framework for interpreting pathomechanism in neurological disease.
This post is funded by the UK Medical Research Council and is fixed term until 10th July 2027
For informal enquiries contact:
Dr Christopher Duncan:
Prof Sophie Hambleton:
Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here:
Find out more about our Research Institutes here:
Key Accountabilities
1. 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'
2. Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements
3. Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
4. Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
5. 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
6. Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
7. Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
8. Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
9. 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 (in the case of Research Associate)
10. 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
11. May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
12. Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment
13. Undertake training in advanced research skills necessary for delivery of the role
14. Contribute to promotion of a safety culture within the laboratory, including the development of SOPs and BIOCOSHH forms
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
15. Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
16. Detailed knowledge of innate antiviral immunity
17. Advanced skills related to the research projects
18. High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
19. Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
20. Experience of research with clear transferable skills and experience or awareness of the research environment
21. Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications
22. Excellent organizational and time management skills
23. Specific experience working with stem cell derived cells and/or primary brain slice cultures
24. Experience supersiving undergraduate or postgraduate research students
25. Experience working with in vivo models (Desirable)
26. Bioinformatics analysis of quantitiative datasets using R (Desirable)
Attributes and Behaviour
27. Commitment to team science
28. Openess to continuous learning and development
29. Willingness to adopt leadership responsibilities appropriate to skills and experience
30. Highest standards of probity and commitment to delivering reproducible scientific outputs
31. Professionalism
32. Commitment to a career in scientific research (Desirable)
Qualifications
33. BSc in relevant subject (minimum 2:1) required (Research Assistant)
34. MRes or equivalent in relevant subject required (Research Assistant)
35. A PhD in immunology or neuroscience required (Research Associate)
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We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a silver award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 28625