Research Technician in Neuroscience

This is an outstanding opportunity for a Research Technician, with a background in zebrafish disease modelling, to work within the Brain Inflammation group under the supervision of Dr Paul Kasher. The post holder will be part of the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, which is based at the University of Manchester. The candidate will support the aims of a 12-month Pilot grant funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK. This innovative project will characterise white matter defects in a newly described zebrafish model of COL4A1-related cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matbio.2025.08.005). The overarching aim of this pilot study is to assess whether vascular dementia-like phenotypes exist in a new zebrafish model of cSVD and determine whether we can use the advantages of zebrafish disease modelling to identify VaD modifiers in future studies. Specifically, we hypothesise that myelin/WM pathology and cognitive deficits accompany the neurovascular phenotypes observed in the mutant col4a1 zebrafish model of cSVD. Furthermore, as we have previously shown that MMP9 inhibition can reduce ICH severity in this model, we further hypothesise that MMP9 inhibition can also attenuate myelin/WM pathology. To test these hypotheses, we will address three key objectives: 1. Determine the extent of white matter pathology in the brains of the col4a1Δ20 zebrafish line during larval and adult stages. 2. Quantify cognitive impairment phenotypes in the col4a1Δ20 zebrafish line in adulthood. 3. Define the role of MMP9 expression on white matter and/or cognitive behaviours in the col4a1Δ20 zebrafish line. Addressing these three objectives will validate the col4a1Δ20 zebrafish line as an essential model for drug discovery in the context of VaD in future pre-clinical studies. This position offers an ideal opportunity for an enthusiastic, well-motivated individual to work as part of a sociable multi-disciplinary team. The ideal candidate will have excellent in vivo (zebrafish) skills, and will be able to work with minimal supervision. Experience of zebrafish disease modelling is essential for the position.