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This post provides an exciting opportunity to join a multidisciplinary research team studying Lewy body dementia (LBD) led by Associate Professor Laura Parkkinen in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences of the University of Oxford. The group is combining expertise in clinical neuropathology, molecular biology, protein chemistry and genetics to investigate mechanisms and drug targets and to develop biologically-relevant biomarkers for PDD and DLB.
Our hypothesis is that by employing 2nd generation neuropathology tools i.e. digital pathology with artificial intelligence (AI) as well as spatial transcriptomics, we can distinguish between the underlying disease mechanisms of DLB and PDD. You will use novel supervised AI-driven algorithms established in the Parkkinen lab to quantify PD- and AD-related pathologies including protein aggregation and inflammatory markers in digital images of brain tissue in a high-throughput manner (~1,000 PDD/DLB patients from UK brain banks). Images will be presented to deep learning networks to determine if the learnt information from the labels can accurately classify images according to diagnosis. Gradient-weighted class activation mapping will be used to reveal the labelled features that network discovers as the basis for accurate diagnoses. You will also use spatial transcriptomics (e.g. 10X Visium and Nanostring GeoMx), new powerful tools to measure gene expression in relation to specific pathological hallmarks to identify cell and tissue-specific transcriptomic changes that may distinguish PDD and DLB patients.
The successful candidate will develop, establish, and pursue appropriate analytical protocols and techniques to support research, particularly in relation to AI-driven algorithms to recognize different hallmark pathologies as well as to spatial transcriptomic platforms (i.e. 10X Visium and Nanostring GeoMx).
It is essential for the successful candidate to hold a relevant PhD/DPhil in a relevant subject. It is desirable that experience in light, fluorescence and confocal imaging and image data analysis of biological systems.
This post is full time and fixed term until 30th April 2025.
Only applications received before 12:00 midday on 16th June 2023 will be considered.
Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.
To apply for this job please visit my.corehr.com.
