Research Fellow Full-time

Research Fellow

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are the commonest cause of blindness amongst working age adults. There are over 360 causative genes, but for the majority of patients, no treatments are available. Professor Mariya Moosajee and her team are working to advance our understanding of IRDs by generating human disease models using induced pluripotent stem cell technology to derive patient retinal organoids. These can be studied to identify disease pathophysiology and to test new treatments. Working in close collaboration with Professor Mariya Moosajee, the Post Doctoral Fellow will focus on the development of non-viral approaches, using mRNA and non-viral gene therapy, as potential treatment options for two genes of interest MYO7A and GUCY2D-retinopathy. The Post Doctoral Fellow will use a range of techniques to facilitate the group's work, including: stem cell culture, generation of iPSC colonies and differentiation into target retinal cells, histology, electron and confocal microscopy, molecular biology such as western blots, and immunocytochemistry. Additional skills may be required for testing in vivo models, and necessary training will be provided where necessary. Candidates with a PhD is essential, experience in the aforementioned techniques, and who are bright, independent and highly motivated, but willing and able to work effectively as part of a collaborative team are encouraged to apply.