PhD Studentship

Job Description

Alzheimer’s Research UK Funded PhD Studentship: Grade: [insert grade]

Department: Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Department of Imaging: Location: Paul O’Gorman Building, 72 Huntley Street

Reports to

Dr Ian Harrison – Principal Research Fellow, Dr Simon Beggs – Associate Professor

Context

The Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging (CABI) at UCL is a multidisciplinary research centre dedicated to developing and applying innovative imaging technologies to understand disease mechanisms and inform new therapeutic strategies. With 12 state-of-the-art imaging modalities and expertise spanning neuroscience, cardiovascular biology and cancer research, CABI provides an outstanding environment for interdisciplinary biomedical research. Dr Ian Harrison’s research group, one of the Centre’s research groups, focuses on glymphatic function and its role in brain health and neurodegenerative disease, using advanced in vivo imaging approaches to investigate brain clearance pathways and the mechanisms underlying disease.

CABI researchers form part of UCL’s world-leading neuroscience research community, bringing together expertise in fundamental neuroscience, neurodegeneration and clinical translation. CABI’s close proximity to the UCL hub of the UK Dementia Research Institute provides valuable opportunities to collaborate with leading researchers investigating the causes and mechanisms of dementia. Within this environment, the Harrison group benefits from access to cutting-edge imaging infrastructure and interdisciplinary expertise, supporting research into how factors such as early-life experiences influence brain function and susceptibility to neurodegenerative disease. Together, these resources provide an exceptional setting for innovative research and the training of the next generation of neuroscience researchers.

Main purpose of the job

The purpose of this PhD studentship is to investigate how early-life surgery influences glymphatic function in the brain and whether alterations in brain clearance pathways contribute to the development or progression of dementia-related pathology later in life. Working within Dr Ian Harrison’s research group at UCL’s Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, the student will contribute to advancing understanding of the mechanisms linking early-life experiences, brain health and neurodegenerative disease. The overarching aim is to generate new knowledge that may help identify mechanisms underlying long-term neurological vulnerability and inform future research into strategies to protect brain health.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering a defined programme of doctoral research, generating robust and reproducible scientific data, critically evaluating findings and communicating research outcomes through publications, presentations and their doctoral thesis. They will be expected to develop increasing independence as a researcher, contribute to the wider research objectives of the Harrison group and engage effectively with collaborators across neuroscience, glymphatic biology and neurodegeneration. Through this work, the student will contribute to UCL’s wider mission to advance scientific understanding and support the development of future approaches to preventing, diagnosing and treating neurodegenerative disease.

Duties and responsibilities

Deliver a defined programme of doctoral research investigating the effects of early-life surgery on glymphatic function and its potential contribution to dementia-related pathology in later life.

Generate robust, reproducible and scientifically rigorous research data to advance understanding of the relationship between early-life experiences, brain clearance pathways and neurodegeneration.

Design and conduct experiments using appropriate preclinical models and imaging approaches to address the project's research objectives.

Analyse and interpret experimental findings using appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods to draw scientifically valid conclusions.

Maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date records of experimental procedures, research data and analyses to ensure research integrity and reproducibility.

Critically evaluate relevant scientific literature and emerging evidence to inform research direction, experimental design and interpretation of findings.

Present research findings clearly and effectively through scientific presentations, progress reports, publications and the doctoral thesis.

Contribute to the preparation of manuscripts and other research outputs for dissemination to the scientific community.

Work collaboratively with supervisors, researchers and technical specialists across glymphatic biology, neuroscience, neurodegeneration and developmental neuroscience to achieve shared research objectives.

Manage research activities, competing priorities and project milestones effectively to support timely progress towards the successful completion of the PhD.

Comply with relevant ethical approvals, institutional policies and regulatory requirements governing preclinical research, animal welfare, laboratory safety and research data management.

Develop and demonstrate increasing independence, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to support the delivery of high-quality doctoral research.

Participate in relevant research group meetings, seminars, training activities and wider academic initiatives to support professional development and contribute to the research environment at UCL.

Contribute to the responsible management and sharing of research data and outputs in accordance with institutional policies and good research practice.

The postholder will be expected to undertake preclinical laboratory research in accordance with applicable ethical and regulatory requirements. Any specific working conditions, including requirements for occasional out-of-hours work or travel, will be determined by the needs of the project and relevant institutional policies.

General

Follow and actively promote the UCL Ways of Working.

Takes responsibility to carry out duties in a way that embodies UCL's environmental and social sustainability values, actively supporting UCL's Sustainability Strategy, policies and objectives within the remit of their role.

Carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the project supervisor(s).

This job description may be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Note to job applicant: copy and paste the following criteria into your “Statement in support of your application” and describe underneath each criteria how you meet it, giving examples. You will be scored on how you meet each criteria.

Essential Criteria: Assessment method (Application form/ Interview / Practical Test)

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

An undergraduate degree in neuroscience, biomedical sciences, physiology or a closely related discipline.:

A master’s degree in neuroscience, biomedical sciences, physiology or a closely related discipline, or be close to completing the degree.: Application form Home Office personal licence holder (PIL A, B & C).: Application form Previous hands-on research experience using animal models of neurodegeneration.: Application form / Interview Previous hands-on wet lab research experience in neuroscience, biomedical sciences or a related field.: Application form /

A strong foundational understanding of neuroscience and an interest in brain ageing, glymphatic function and neurodegenerative disease.: Interview Knowledge of scientific research principles, including experimental design, critical evaluation of scientific literature and interpretation of research findings.: Interview Experience of working in a research environment and an understanding of research integrity, accurate record-keeping and reproducibility.: Application form / Interview An understanding of laboratory safety, ethical research practice and the principles of responsible animal research, where applicable.: Application form /

Skills and abilities

Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to interpret scientific data and evaluate research findings objectively.: Application form / Interview Good problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify challenges and develop appropriate approaches to address them.: Application form / Interview Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate scientific information clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.: Application form / Interview Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet agreed deadlines.: Interview Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative and adapt to new challenges in a research environment.: Interview Ability to work collaboratively and contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary research team.: Application form / Interview Ability to maintain accurate records and work systematically to support reliable, reproducible research.: Application form /

UCL Ways of Working

Personal Excellence: Delivering work to agreed standards, with accuracy, care and attention to quality.:

Working Together: Understanding other people’s perspectives and working constructively with colleagues from different backgrounds and disciplines.:

Achieving Our Mission: Taking responsibility for your work and delivering agreed objectives to the required quality and timeframe.:

Desirable Criteria: Assessment method (Application form/ Interview / Practical Test) Previous experience performing surgical techniques on small animals, such as stereotaxic injections and intracardiac perfusions.: Application form / Interview Knowledge of and previous experience using neuroimaging techniques, such as MRI, nuclear imaging, and fluorescence/bioluminescence.: Application form / Interview Practical experience with laboratory techniques such as histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biology techniques such as PCRs/Westerns.: Application form / Interview Experience in quantitative image analysis.: Application form /