Postdoctoral Research Scientist in neuron-astrocyte communication in neurodegeneration


Company:	University of Oxford
Salary:	£39,424 - £43,984
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Oxford, OX3 7DQ
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	21 Jul 2026
Closing date:	11 Aug 2026

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Summary

We are looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Scientist in neuron-astrocyte communication in neurodegeneration looking to develop an independent research career to join the Lang group (Oxford-GSK IMCM Fellow & NDM Group Leader, University of Oxford). Dr Lang leads a team of scientists dedicated to answering pressing questions in the field of molecular neurodegeneration. The Lang Lab is an inclusive environment with a focus on positive and proactive mentorship, teamwork, and scientific creativity.

This post provides an exciting opportunity to join the multidisciplinary Oxford-GSK Institute for Molecular & Computational Medicine (IMCM) operating within Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM) in collaboration with Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience (NDCN), Sir William Dunn School of Pathology and Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG).

The Institute will bring together the very best scientific, clinical, technological and computational expertise from Oxford University and GSK to form unique industry/academic partnership. The aim of the institute is to improve tools in, and knowledge from, genetics, genomics, molecular and single cell biology, spatial imaging, machine learning and novel methods of data handling to study the pattern of diseases in new ways.

You will be responsible for undertaking a multidisciplinary approach to understand mechanisms of communication between dopamine neurons and astrocytes in health and neurodegenerative disease. You will perform neuronal and astrocyte differentiation of iPSCs from Parkinson’s patients and controls. You will perform monocultures and microfluidic co-culture of iPSC-derived dopamine neurons and astrocytes from Parkinson’s patients and controls. You will utilise transcritpomic approaches to look at gene expression changes to identify proteins/pathways involved in iPSC-derived neuron-astrocyte support or damage. You will perform extracellular vesicle isolation in biofluids & lentiviral CRISPR-Cas9 knockdown of genes of interest in iPSC-derived dopamine neurons and astrocytes. You will manage own academic research and administrative activities, including small scale project management and co-ordination of multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines.

It is essential that you hold a PhD/DPhil (or close to completion) in Neuroscience, Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Genetics/Genomics or related area. You must have hands-on experience in the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into neurons. You must have experience and knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s.

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