Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the
information you will need to provide with the application.
1. Role details
Vacancy reference:
6780
Job title:
Post Doctoral Research Associate
Reports to:
Dr Ignacio Romero, Senior Lecturer in Cellular
Neuroscience
Salary:
£27,319 – £35,646
Terms and conditions:
Research Staff
Grade:
AC1/2 (appointment will depend on qualification and
experience)
Duration of post:
3 years
Working hours:
Full time
Location:
Milton Keynes
Closing date:
1 December 2010
Type of application form accepted:
Short
Number of referees required:
3
Unit recruitment contact:
Michelle Duke
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2. Summary of duties
This project, based at the Open University’s Department of Life Science research laboratories
at Milton Keynes will undertake research on the project “MicroRNAs in the Cerebral
Vasculature and Multiple Sclerosis” funded by Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland (http://www.mssociety.org.uk/), in accordance with the project
specifications and objectives. The general aim of this project is to establish a link between
inflammatory signals and regulation of BBB function in order to identify potential
therapeutic targets to prevent BBB breakdown and/or leucocyte migration in MS.
Main duties
 Identify specific deregulated endothelial microRNAs with a role in the pro-inflammatory
cytokine-induced alterations of CEC permeability and/or in leukocyte adhesion/migration
using an in vitro human BBB model under the direction of Drs Romero and Hirst and Prof
Male (OU).
 Confirm changes in endothelial microRNA(s) selected in aim 1 in brain sections of patients
with MS and of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal
model of MS, using in situ hybridization techniques and/or qRT-PCR under the direction of
Drs Romero (OU) and Michael (Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL)).
 Determine whether neutralization of cytokine-induced changes in endothelial microRNA(s)
selected in aims 1 and 2 modulate clinical signs of EAE and, if so, assess histopathological
changes and BBB permeability under the direction of Dr Romero (OU) and Prof Baker
(QMUL).
 Undertake appropriate statistical analyses on data obtained
 Assist with/draft manuscripts, conference presentations
 Any other related/relevant duties as directed by the project leaders
Other Duties
All staff are expected to:
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Comply with the University’s Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities policies in the
performance of their duties.
Take reasonable care of the Health and Safety of themselves and that of any other person
who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
Co-operate with the Open University in ensuring as far as is necessary, that Statutory
Requirements, Codes of Practice, University Policies and Departmental Health and Safety
arrangements are complied with.
Have a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity.
Attend appropriate staff development events.
Line management responsibilities
None
Financial resource management responsibilities
None
Challenges and opportunities
This MS Society funded project provides an exciting and unique opportunity to make a
fundamental contribution at the forefront of research into the neurobiology of multiple sclerosis.
The project has received acclaim from professional peers and is featured as one of the
Research Highlights within the Faculty of Science at the Open University. The results of this
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investigation will be disseminated widely at National and International Scientific Meetings (e.g.
International Neuroimmunology Association, Cerebrovascular Biology Meeting, American
Society of Neuroscience, etc.), and submitted for publication to high-impact journals in the field
of Neuroscience and Immunology.
3. Person specification
Criteria
Education,
qualifications and
training
Knowledge, work
and other relevant
experience
Personal Qualities
Essential

PhD or equivalent research
experience
High degree of technical proficiency
in one or more of the following:
 Cell and Molecular Biology
 In situ hybridization
 Tissue culture
 Animal models of neurological
disease
 Excellent record-keeping and
organisational skills
 Well-developed selfmanagement skills
 Ability to time-manage a
demanding workload
 Ability to work independently and
as part of a multidisciplinary
research team
Desirable
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Background in neuroscience or
immunology
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Knowledge of cerebrovascular
biology and/or blood-brain
barrier physiology
Neuropathology
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Excellent oral and written
communication skills
4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
The successful candidate will mainly work at the OU campus in Milton Keynes, but will also be
expected to work with collaborators at the Queen Mary, University of London
5. About the unit/department
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
The Faculty of Science has four teaching departments: Chemistry & Analytical Sciences, Earth
& Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences, and Physics & Astronomy; and the Planetary and
Space Sciences Research Institute.
The Faculty has a staff of about 360, comprising around 115 academic staff (central and
regional) with the balance made up of research staff, course managers, laboratory staff,
technicians, administrators and secretaries. There are also varying numbers of research
students and visiting academic staff.
Science Curriculum
The Faculty currently supports 5 undergraduate discipline-based programmes; Life Sciences,
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Health Sciences, Molecular Science, Geosciences, and Physical Science; as well as a broadbased Natural Sciences programme which is cross-disciplinary. New Natural Sciences
qualifications are being introduced at undergraduate level, with subject pathways, that are
intended to replace a number of the present named awards. At post-graduate level, the
Faculty supports an MSc programme which currently has 3 strands – Science Studies,
Frontiers in Medical Science, and Health Physics.
The Faculty also supports foundation degrees in Health Sciences (including paramedic and
operating theatre practice) and is developing an analytical science strand.
Science Research
The Faculty of Science undertakes a range of research across many scientific topics that
brings together traditional scientific disciplines and new interdisciplinary areas through three
major research groupings:
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The Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research (CEPSAR)
Biomedical Research Network (BRN)
Science Scholarship Research Network (about to be established)
Our research encompasses both 'blue-skies' basic research and applied research to find
solutions to specific scientific and technological problems. In addition, the Faculty of Science is
supporting a number of new ‘genesis’ areas where new synergies are rapidly developing in
response to external research opportunities.
We have over 4500 square metres of state-of-the-art research laboratories with major research
facilities that include:
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One of Europe’s leading centres for isotope mass spectrometry including extensive
radiogenic, noble gas and stable isotope mass spectrometry facilities and a new £3
million microbeam facility, including a Cameca Nanosims ion imaging system and dual
beam FIB-SEM
Ultraclean spacecraft instrument testing and assembly, and for handling planetary
materials and returned extraterrestrial samples
A state-of-the-art life sciences research facility including biological containment
laboratories, molecular genetics and DNA-sequencing laboratories
Ultraclean faciltities for handling planetary materials and returned extraterrestrial
samples
Environmental and transmission electron microscopy
Hypervelocity Impact laboratory
Newly opened laboratories for research in atomic, molecular and plasma research
A newly opened facility for interdisciplinary research in ecosystems and geobiology.
For more information, please see our website at http://www.open.ac.uk/science/index.php
DEPARTMENT OF LIFE SCIENCES
Head of Department: Dr. Hilary MacQueen
The Department is made up of 31 academics who perform research across the full range of the
biological sciences. In addition, there are 11 post-doctoral researchers, 19 full-time research
students. Members of the Department hold, and have held, a variety of research grants from,
amongst others, the BBSRC, NERC, EU Framework 6&7, DEFRA, Natural England, Esmee
Fairburn, Big Lottery Fund, Wellcome Trust, Leverhulme Trust, Multiple Sclerosis Society,
MRC, the Royal Society, NAAR/Autism Speaks and NIMH. At the postgraduate level, the
department runs a full PhD research degree programme with students supported by the
BBSRC, NERC, MRC (Medical Research Council), RSPB, charities (such as Research into
Ageing, The Migraine Trust) and from The Open University. Our industrial research partners
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include Regen, Cyclacel Ltd, Human Factors International, Eusa Pharma (Europe) Ltd, Hill
Group Aggregate, Entec UK Ltd, Charles Church, Black & Veatch).
Our Research
Our Department is divided into two main research areas centred on Biomedical Sciences and
Biodiversity. Within Biomedical Science, research groups are working within the neurosciences
(including neuropathology and neuroimmunology), cellular immunology, the biology of ageing,
gene expression and cognitive psychology. Amongst the key research priority areas in the
Department are autism, ageing and neurodegeneration, immunology of the nervous system,
cellular and molecular neurobiology, cognitive science and neurosience. Our research teams
comprise biologists, chemists, environmental scientists, physicists and psychologists who
contribute to a vibrant and interdisciplinary research community. Our laboratory facilities have
recently been substantially expanded and include molecular genetics laboratories, a DNAsequencing laboratory, dark rooms, tissue culture/time-lapse suites, electron microscopes,
confocal microscope suite, histology and morphometric laboratories and a radiation suite which
houses a cell harvester, beta scintillation and gamma counters (see below).
Most of our research concerns key strategic areas identified by UK research councils. Notably,
we have been very successful in obtaining funding from the highly competitive European
Framework 6 & 7 initiative (for a multicentre neuroscientific projects entitled ‘Promemoria’ and
‘Memstick’), from BBSRC strategic funding initiatives into Ageing (SAGE, ERA), neural function
(NEURONE) and BIOIMAGING. We have also increased our funding from research charities
such as Autism Speaks (USA), the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Wellcome Trust and a
have developed a number of new links with Industry (, Regen, Cyclacel Ltd, Human Factors
International, Eusa Pharma (Europe) Ltd, Hill Group Aggregate, Entec UK Ltd, Charles Church,
Black & Veatch).. Much of our research is based on very successful collaborations with other
universities and institutes and with industry, both nationally and internationally. Through our
regional centre in Cambridge, we maintain close links with the Cambridge Genetics Knowledge
Park and the i10 network.
The Department offers a range of specialist skills and expertise across the life sciences area of
research, described in more detail below. We are keen to involve external partners in our
research through their involvement in collaborative research projects, sponsored PhD
studentships and contract research projects.
Our Laboratory Facilities
The Department of Life Sciences houses high quality specialist research laboratories well
equipped with standard analytical and preparative equipment for biochemistry, microbiology,
molecular biology, Drosophila culture, neurophysiology, histology, stereology/morphometry,
polarising microscopy, ultrasound and behaviour recording. Our laboratories include fully
equipped suites for molecular biology, tissue culture, cell culture and electrophysiology,
molecular ecology and ecohydrology. A new suite of laboratories for biomedical research,
funded by £2 million SRIF investment was recently opened by Professor Colin Blakemore in
September 2006.
Within Life Sciences, we offer excellent microscopy facilities that include EM, UV, fluorescence,
timelapse, confocal and a wide range of light-microscopes. We also have a suite of image
analysis microscopes using specialist software dedicated to densitometry and 2Dmorphometric analyses, as well as a Neurolucida (MicroBrightField, USA) computer assisted
microscope system for the reconstruction and rotation of neurons and
neural structures.
A self-contained electron microscopy suite houses two transmission
electron microscopes (JEOL 100kV and 200kV) and one scanning
electron microscope. These are equipped with both image acquisition
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and analytical equipment and software. This suite includes a large preparation facility for
processing biological material, including cryopreparation and immunocytochemistry. In August
2007, a new 120kV JEM1400 transmission electron microscope with digital image acquisition
was installed, having been purchased on the SRIF3 initiative. A separate specialist laboratory
suite contains a Leica NT laser scanning confocal microscope with networked Silicon Graphics
work station and image processing package that allows 3-D reconstruction and deconvolution.
We have excellent facilities for standard optical microscopy;
fluorescence microscopes with image analysis packages (both online and off-line) and an inverted fluorescence microscope with timelapse video image acquisition. Our microscopy facilities are
supported by a very well equipped and fully-serviced histology
laboratory, with paraffin wax processing, section staining, vacuum
embedding and cryostat sectioning. In addition, we have specialist microscopes equipped for
micro-injection of cultured cells, injection of Drosophila embryos and for yeast tetrad
microdissection.
The Department has six separate cell and tissue culture facilities, each of
which is dedicated to work with primary or established animal or human cells or
tissues, including organotypic slice culture. Cell biology work is supported by
both a fluorescent activated cell analyser, a time-lapse video imaging system,
cell micro-injection system and a liquid nitrogen storage facility. The new
biomedicine laboratory suite includes culture facilities to work at containment
level 3. A specialist electrophysiology laboratory uses both intracellular and
extracellular recording techniques to record and manipulate neuronal tissue.
The laboratory uses the latest in computer aided acquisition and analysis of synaptic activity.
Biomedical Research Facilities
Within the biomedical sciences area we have research groups working in several whole
organism models as well as primary cell models, particularly with primary brain-derived cell
types. We can offer several microscopy systems (EM, fluorescent and light) integrated with
advanced image analysis and 3D reconstruction software. Model experimental systems are
established for the study of neuronal structure and development, biochemical and
electrophysiological aspects of learning and memory, immunology and cell biology, ageing at
the organism and cellular levels, and genetic instability. These models range from mammalian
systems to the fruit fly Drosophila. The close association between organ and cell culture,
microscopy and analytical facilities (genomic, genetic, immunological and biochemical)
supports interdisciplinary research strategies, allowing parallel investigations from whole
organism to the molecular level.
Our Facilities
We are particularly well equipped to perform research or contract microscopic analysis of a
range of biological materials. A self-contained electron microscopy suite houses three electron
microscopes, all equipped with both image acquisition and analytical equipment and software.
This suite includes a large preparation facility for processing biological material, including
cryopreparation and immunocytochemistry. A separate specialist laboratory suite contains a
Leica NT laser scanning confocal microscope with networked Silicon Graphics work station and
image processing package that allows 3-D reconstruction and deconvolution. A new Leica
confocal microscope suite (both inverted and upright) has recently been installed and
commissioned. In addition, we have excellent facilities for standard optical microscopy;
fluorescence microscopes with image analysis packages both on-line and off-line as well as
specialist microscopes equipped for micro-injection of cultured cells, injection of Drosophila
embryos and for yeast tetrad microdissection.
The Department has several cell and tissue culture facilities, each of which is dedicated to work
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with primary or established animal or human cells or tissues, including organotypic slice culture
and one laboratory that houses lasers for examining the effects of photodynamic therapeutic
compounds upon neuronal growth. Cell biology work is supported by both a fluorescent
activated cell analyser, a time-lapse video imaging system, cell micro-injection system and a
liquid nitrogen storage facility.
The Department also houses a specialist electrophysiology laboratory which uses both
intracellular and extracellular recording techniques to record and manipulate neuronal tissue.
The laboratory uses the latest in computer aided acquisition and analysis of synaptic activity
and has the facility to use infrared optics. Other centralised research facilities also include
support for microbiology, DNA sequencing, real-time qPCR and Typhoon imager for
quantitative nucleic acid detection and other fluorescent studies, cryopreservation, scintillation
counting, photographic facilities (print and X-ray) and digital image processing.
For further information please refer to our web site: www.open.ac.uk/science/lifesciences/
The Biomedical Research Network
Director: Dr Robert Saunders
This research cluster is in the process of being set up. The five top level themes around which
activity is likely to focus are as follows:
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Neuroscience
Cognitive neurodevelopment
Disease and Diagnosis
Biomolecular Damage
Cell Biology and Immunology
6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please
contact Ignacio Romero on 01908 659467 or email i.romero@open.ac.uk.
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Michelle Duke on
01908 659672 or email biology-recruitment@open.ac.uk.
7. Where to send completed applications
Your application should include:
 Short application form
 CV
 1 page covering letter to explain how you meet the person specification
Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: Wednesday 1 December
Post it to:
Name/Job title:
Michelle Duke/Recruitment Coordinator
Department/Unit: Life Sciences
Address:
Open University
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Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
Bucks
Post Code:
MK7 6AA
Or e-mail your application to: biology-recruitment@open.ac.uk
8. Selection process and date of interview
The interview panel will be chaired by Dr Ignacio Romero. The interviews will take place on
Wednesday 8 December 2010.
At interview, candidates will be expected to discuss their research experience (including any
relevant theoretical and practical aspects of cell and molecular biology, and an understanding
of cerebrovascular biology), wider issues related to the neuropathology of multiple sclerosis,
as well as future career plans.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been
shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to
shortlisted candidates.
Applications received after the closing data will not be accepted.
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