Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Purpose and Main Duties

The Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, (CBCD, www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk), Department of Psychological Sciences, is seeking a postdoctoral scientist for a project that aims to examine the link between Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome. Adults with Down syndrome are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) than the general population and onset tends to occur at a much earlier age. One of the reasons for this is believed to be the fact that one of the key genes implicated in Alzheimer’s – the amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein, or APP gene – is found on chromosome 21. This gene is overexpressed throughout the development of individuals with Down syndrome, who carry three copies of this chromosome. Although by age 30, all individuals with Down syndrome develop plaques typical of the brains of individuals with AD in the general population, not all of them go on to display the clinical symptoms of dementia, despite life expectancy having increased considerably. And these individual differences start very early. The project aims to elucidate these individual differences in young and older adults, but also importantly in infancy.

The postdoc would be responsible for the infant cognitive neuroscience aspects of the multidisciplinary project, in collaboration with another postdoctoral scientist who is working full time on the project, as well as engaging in regular interaction with the different contributing disciplines (mouse models, genetics, cell biology, psychiatry, adult and infant cognitive neuroscience).

A clear commitment to interdisciplinary research and very good project management skills are required. The postdoc would be working on the analysis of a large set of behavioural, eye-tracking, EEG/ERP, genetic, and questionnaire data. Most of the data will have already been collected from around 100 infants and toddlers with Down syndrome, as well as neurotypical controls. The postdoc would also contribute to writing up the results for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Candidate Requirements

Data coding experience, the ability to manage large datasets, and advanced statistical analysis skills are essential. Experience with EEG/ERP analyses (NetStation, EEGLAB, FieldTrip) and programming (MATLAB, R, Python) is also essential. Knowledge of neurodevelopmental disorders, genetics, cellular biology, psychiatry and neuroscience would be an advantage but are not essential. Experience with imparting complex research findings to the general public is also desirable.

The position is 60% FTE (three days a week) for 12 months, with the possibility of an extension.

Further Information

Salary: Grade 7 of the College’s London Pay Scale which is £21,690 rising to £24,791 pro-rata, per annum, this is equivalent to the full time salary of £36,150 rising to £41,318 per annum.

This post is part time, 21 hours per week (0.6 FTE) and fixed term for 1 year with the possibility of an extension. The salary quoted above will be pro-rata for this part time post and is on the College’s London Pay Scale and includes a consolidated Weighting/Allowance which applies only to staff whose normal contractual place of work is in the Greater London area. The initial salary will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful applicant. The appointment is subject to a probationary period of 12 months. Birkbeck also provides a generous defined benefit pension scheme, 31 days paid leave, flexible working arrangements and other great benefits.

The closing date for completed applications is midnight on Tuesday 1 March 2016.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 9 March 2016.

For further information on this opportunity contact Professor Annette Karmiloff-Smith, Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development (e-mail: a.karmiloff-smith@bbk.ac.uk).