Research Fellow in Neurogenetics (University of Sussex)

About the role A Research Fellow in Neurogenetics position, specialised in neurobiological and behavioural analyses, is available in the laboratory of Claudio Alonso to study the mechanisms underlying neural development and function in Drosophila. How the molecular biology of neurons relates to the development and function of neural circuits and behaviour is an open question in modern neuroscience. The new Research Fellow will investigate this exciting question using the latest technology in the field. You will become a core member of the Alonso lab and interact closely with other lab members seeking to advance understanding of how the activity of genes controls the biology of neurons. You will play a key role in our lab and also in the interaction with our collaborators in the UK, Europe and around the world. We will aim at using the most modern and effective methodologies to resolve our experimental questions, and implement the latest theory and models to interpret our results. Together we will combine molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, transcriptomics, optogenetics, optical neuronal imaging, microscopy and quantitative behavioural approaches. We are a very active research group (https://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/alonsolab/) located in the Neuroscience Department, which also houses a number of other groups studying the mechanisms of neural function across vertebrates and invertebrate species; our lab is an active member of Sussex Neuroscience, a university Centre of Excellence that brings together a large, vibrant and highly interdisciplinary community of neuroscience laboratories (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/sussexneuroscience/). About you The successful candidate will have a degree in Biology, Neuroscience or related disciplines, and be educated to doctoral level. They will have a solid background in neural development, neurobiology or behaviour, and familiarity with Drosophila genetics. The selected candidate will show evidence of engagement in high-quality research activity, have excellent communication skills and be able to work individually on own initiative and without close supervision, and as part of a team supporting other colleagues. They will have excellent organisational administrative skills and be able to set priorities and meet deadlines. About our School In the School of Life Sciences we strive to understand the mechanisms that drive biological and chemical processes and to develop innovative and diverse approaches to enhance human health, technology and the environment. We undertake multidisciplinary research, teaching and engagement across a wide range of subjects, from Chemistry through Cellular and Molecular Biosciences to Conservation Biology. The School comprises five Departments: Biochemistry & Biomedicine, Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Neuroscience, Ecology & Evolution and Chemistry. We also house the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre which works to deliver the bench-to-bedside translation of our discoveries. The breadth and depth of our cutting-edge research and innovative teaching practice is delivered by a diverse community who work across boundaries to deliver excellence, engage with real world problems and produce impact. We pride ourselves on our world-leading research and have a strong research economy, with approximately 50% of our income stemming from research and an active grant portfolio of over £50 million. We host or form part of three University Centres of Excellence: Sussex Neuroscience, the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, and Sussex Sustainability Research Programme. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 90.6 % of our Biological Sciences outputs and 84.8% of our Chemistry outputs were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. We are proud that in both areas, 100% of our Impact cases were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. The School is committed to the University’s core values of kindness, integrity, inclusion, collaboration and courage. We believe that equality, diversity and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility and aim to provide a friendly and supportive environment for all who work, study and visit the School of Life Sciences. Please find further information regarding the School of Life Sciences on our website. The School of Life Sciences is proud to hold a Silver Athena Swan Award. Why work here Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme. Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that. Find out more about our reward and benefits package. Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion Further Key Information Please contact Professor Claudio R. Alonso at c.alonso@sussex.ac.uk for informal enquiries. For full details and how to apply see our vacancies page The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex. Please note that this position may be subject to ATAS clearance if you require visa sponsorship. The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK. Benefits The benefits that you will receive from day one: Hybrid Working, Generous pension scheme, Purchase additional Annual Leave through our Scheme for a great home and work life balance, Discounts of public transport, Cycle to work Scheme, and special rates in hotels in Brighton and the Sussex region, Discounts on high-street shops through our Rewards partner, along with a Cash back Health Plan, Considerable discount on our on-site Gym Facilities because we care about our employees’ Health and Wellbeing. Location Brighton, UK Hours Full time or part time hours considered up to a maximum of 1.0 FTE/ 37.5 hours per week. Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need). Salary Grade 7 starting at £37,999 to £45,163 per annum, pro rata if part time. Contract Type Fixed Term Contract Attachments Job_Description_Person_Specification_Ref_32716_.pdf If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Psychoneuroxy

About the role

A Research Fellow in Neurogenetics position, specialised in neurobiological and behavioural analyses, is available in the laboratory of Claudio Alonso to study the mechanisms underlying neural development and function in Drosophila.

How the molecular biology of neurons relates to the development and function of neural circuits and behaviour is an open question in modern neuroscience. The new Research Fellow will investigate this exciting question using the latest technology in the field.

You will become a core member of the Alonso lab and interact closely with other lab members seeking to advance understanding of how the activity of genes controls the biology of neurons. You will play a key role in our lab and also in the interaction with our collaborators in the UK, Europe and around the world. We will aim at using the most modern and effective methodologies to resolve our experimental questions, and implement the latest theory and models to interpret our results. Together we will combine molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, transcriptomics, optogenetics, optical neuronal imaging, microscopy and quantitative behavioural approaches.

We are a very active research group (https://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/alonsolab/) located in the Neuroscience Department, which also houses a number of other groups studying the mechanisms of neural function across vertebrates and invertebrate species; our lab is an active member of Sussex Neuroscience, a university Centre of Excellence that brings together a large, vibrant and highly interdisciplinary community of neuroscience laboratories (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/sussexneuroscience/).

About you

The successful candidate will have a degree in Biology, Neuroscience or related disciplines, and be educated to doctoral level. They will have a solid background in neural development, neurobiology or behaviour, and familiarity with Drosophila genetics.

The selected candidate will show evidence of engagement in high-quality research activity, have excellent communication skills and be able to work individually on own initiative and without close supervision, and as part of a team supporting other colleagues. They will have excellent organisational administrative skills and be able to set priorities and meet deadlines.

About our School

In the School of Life Sciences we strive to understand the mechanisms that drive biological and chemical processes and to develop innovative and diverse approaches to enhance human health, technology and the environment. We undertake multidisciplinary research, teaching and engagement across a wide range of subjects, from Chemistry through Cellular and Molecular Biosciences to Conservation Biology.

The School comprises five Departments: Biochemistry & Biomedicine, Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Neuroscience, Ecology & Evolution and Chemistry. We also house the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre which works to deliver the bench-to-bedside translation of our discoveries. The breadth and depth of our cutting-edge research and innovative teaching practice is delivered by a diverse community who work across boundaries to deliver excellence, engage with real world problems and produce impact.

We pride ourselves on our world-leading research and have a strong research economy, with approximately 50% of our income stemming from research and an active grant portfolio of over £50 million. We host or form part of three University Centres of Excellence: Sussex Neuroscience, the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, and Sussex Sustainability Research Programme. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 90.6 % of our Biological Sciences outputs and 84.8% of our Chemistry outputs were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. We are proud that in both areas, 100% of our Impact cases were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.

The School is committed to the University’s core values of kindness, integrity, inclusion, collaboration and courage. We believe that equality, diversity and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility and aim to provide a friendly and supportive environment for all who work, study and visit the School of Life Sciences.

Please find further information regarding the School of Life Sciences on our website.

The School of Life Sciences is proud to hold a Silver Athena Swan Award.

Why work here

Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.

Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.

Find out more about our reward and benefits package.

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion

Further Key Information

Please contact Professor Claudio R. Alonso at c.alonso@sussex.ac.uk for informal enquiries.

For full details and how to apply see our vacancies page

The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex.

Please note that this position may be subject to ATAS clearance if you require visa sponsorship.

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.

Benefits

The benefits that you will receive from day one: Hybrid Working, Generous pension scheme, Purchase additional Annual Leave through our Scheme for a great home and work life balance, Discounts of public transport, Cycle to work Scheme, and special rates in hotels in Brighton and the Sussex region, Discounts on high-street shops through our Rewards partner, along with a Cash back Health Plan, Considerable discount on our on-site Gym Facilities because we care about our employees’ Health and Wellbeing.

Location

Brighton, UK

Hours

Full time or part time hours considered up to a maximum of 1.0 FTE/ 37.5 hours per week. Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need).