Join Our Team: The Neuroinflammation Research Laboratory at UBC

Position: Post-doctoral fellow/Research associate

With support from funding agencies as well as privately funded initiatives, the Neuroinflammation Research Lab is growing. We are expanding our research efforts and are looking for committed team players interested in making a difference in health research and the lives of individuals living with neurodegenerative disorders including MS.

Focus project areas: 

• Imaging and therapeutic strategies in preclinical models of neuroinflammatory disorders
• Limiting inflammation and activation of the blood-brain barrier
• Biomarker analyses in patient cohorts
• Environmental influence upon inflammatory and neuroprotective proteins and processes relevant to multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Candidates:  Candidates with expertise in neuroscience/immunology related cell culture, molecular biology, murine preclinical and behavioural models are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will undertake a research project aimed to examine factors that regulate neuroprotective factors both in the peripheral immune and within the central nervous system.

Training & expectations: Major areas of focus will include inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress, environmental stressors, immune populations, neurodegeneration and repar. The candidate should have a solid understanding and demonstrated proficiency in several of the following:

• Cell culture and aseptic technique, preferably involving both isolation and maintenance of rodent primary cultures as well as cell lines.
• Aseptic technique and experience with human blood handling for the isolation of PBMC and subsequent culture/assay
• Ability to perform and troubleshoot a wide variety of molecular and cellular biology techniques, including many of the following:
  RNA/DNA isolation, quantitative PCR, transfection, siRNA knockdown and cDNA construct knockin, flow cytometry, immunohisto- and cytochemistry on cells as well as frozen and formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues, ELISA, protein isolation and western blotting;
• A comprehensive understanding of experimental design and assay optimization is important.
• Experience performing fluorescence and light microscopy; conventional and/or confocal
• Willingness to work with small rodents is essential. Able to carry out and oversee procedures involving small rodents including immunization/injections, necropsy, blood sampling, and minor surgical procedures involved in animal surgery; applicants with experience in pre-clinical models of neurodegenerative diseases including MS are especially encouraged to apply.
• Maintenance/monitoring of colonies of transgenic animals, including colony breeding, screening and management.

Studies will span basic cell analyses through to more complex models and ultimately translation of these findings to human systems and disease.

Interested candidates should send a statement of research interests and an updated CV to jquandt@pathology.ubc.ca by April 22nd, 2016.