Research Associate (MED05850)

About the role

We are seeking motivated postdoctoral Research Associates to lead projects in the lab of Dr Naoto Watamura, an Edmond and Lily Safra Fellow, and working in close collaboration with the group of Dr Samuel Barnes. With new funding from The Michael Uren Foundation, we are offering two positions to grow our research on understanding the causal mechanisms of neurodegenerative pathology, particularly tau and α-synuclein, at single-cell resolution in living brain circuits and disease progression.

Based in the Department of Brain Sciences with membership of the UK Dementia Research Institute, you will further your expertise by developing and applying a novel in vivo platform to detect pathological α-synuclein or tau seeding and to determine its relationship with neuronal activity and molecular identity.

Both positions are initially offered for three years, with the expectation of extension. You will be supported and encouraged to apply for internationally competitive independent fellowships, publish original research and present at key conferences.

What you would be doing

Building on laboratory experience in neuroscience, you will:

• Develop and validate in vivo tau/α syn biosensor systems for real-time seed detection
• Perform two-photon live imaging to link neuronal activity with tau/α syn seed formation
• Analyse neural activity using GCaMP-based functional imaging
• Build and apply split-TEV strategies to label seed-containing cells
• Conduct seed-dependent snRNA-seq and integrate tau/α syn seed-formation with molecular profiling

What we are looking for

You will be a curious and organised scientist, keen to build on experience gained from a PhD in neuroscience, molecular biology, or related fields. You will bring

• Experience or strong interest in in vivo imaging and neuronal activity analysis
• Motivation to develop new biosensors and experimental systems
• Ability to integrate imaging, molecular profiling, and data analysis across scales
• Excellent Communication skills and a willingness to learn and implement complex techniques.
• Practical experience for DNA work and AAV production.

What we can offer you

This post will be based in the Department of Brain Sciences and part of the UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial, working closely with a multidisciplinary research team. Research Associates enjoy excellent career development opportunities with:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression and dedicated career stage support through the UK DRI
• As a member of research staff you have 10 development days to use to develop your skills and explore your career prospects

• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).

• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further information

This is offered full-time, fixed term (3 years) contract, based at our Hammersmith Campus. 

If you require any further details about the role, please contact: Dr Naoto Watamura – n.watamura@imperial.ac.uk

Available documents

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

• download: Job Description Research Associate.pdf
• download: Employee Benefits Booklet – V.2026.pdf