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We are seeking to appoint a University Instructor in the Section of Natural and Applied Sciences within the School of Psychology and Life Sciences at Canterbury Christ Church University. The part-time instructor role (0.5 FTE) is paired with a part-time (0.5 FTE) PhD supported through a PhD bursary provided by the School. The successful candidate will have sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge to primarily support practical and student workshop provision as a demonstrator in our teaching programmes and provide learning support in more than one discipline. We are especially interested in applicants who could provide support for modules in biomedical science, genetics and statistics or bioinformatics.

In their instructor role, the post holder will primarily support undergraduate practicals and workshops as a demonstrator, supporting academics in answering student questions, explaining protocols and providing general support. There are also opportunities (if desired) to deliver lectures, seminars and tutorials on the course(s) related to their expertise. The post holder will familiarise themselves with the theoretical background and protocols necessary for each practical or workshop.

Details of the PhD project are included below.

About the PhD project:

The successful candidates will enrol on the PhD programme for the specific project detailed here via our graduate school and will work with our academic colleagues, Dr Jana Stastna (first supervisor; [email protected]) and Dr Marieke Bloemink (second supervisor; [email protected])

Ageing is a universal phenomenon during which progressive changes ultimately lead to death. One of the conditions that accompanies the natural ageing process is sarcopenia. In humans, skeletal muscles undergo a gradual decline in muscle mass after the age of 30. Lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity and an unbalanced diet are also believed to contribute to the loss of muscle mass and strength. Another condition linked to ageing is neurodegeneration. It appears that greater levels of physical activity or exercise have positive influences and may enhance cognitive function and delay the onset of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other dementias.

The microscopic round worm Caenorhabditis elegans is an excellent model for investigating conserved molecular mechanisms regulating muscular health and its decline with age. Studies in C. elegans can therefore potentially lead to insights into maintenance of muscular health, impacting a wide range of human disorders ranging from muscular dystrophies to neurodegenerative diseases. There is extensive genetic variation among wild isolates of C. elegans that has not yet been extensively studied. Most research into physiology of ageing is still carried out by using the canonical strain N2 (Bristol) and/or its mutants. In this project, we want to tap into the genetic variation in C. elegans as it strongly contributes to phenotypic variations in many complex traits.

Many quantitative loci trait (QTL) studies, e.g. pathogenic resistance/susceptibility, lifespan, fitness, and stress responses have been performed with different panels of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) in the past. Plenty of these studies derived from using CB4856 and N2 RILs. In this research, we propose using a new C. elegans RIL population carrying an introgressed α-synuclein transgene derived from NL5901 and SCH4856 to study ageing and the effect of exercise on a) sarcopenia and b) neurodegenerative diseases. This project is in collaboration with the Wageningen University, Netherlands and there is a potential for some of the lab work to take place in Wageningen in later stages.

This project will involve:

The post holder will have a 1st Class honours degree in a relevant discipline. They will have a commitment to delivering a high-quality student experience, and be able to demonstrate excellent communication and organisational skills.

PLEASE NOTE: To ensure that your University Instructor post and the PhD commence at the same time, please apply both to this University Instructor post advert and separately to the MPhil/ PhD by thesis programme via the graduate school at the same time. Please contact the PhD supervisor team ([email protected] and [email protected]) for details on how to apply via the graduate school, you can use the same CV etc. and draw on the project description provided with this advert to complete the required proposal form for the MPhil/PhD by thesis available here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/explore-postgraduate/explore-postgraduate-research/research-subject-areas/science-information-technology-and-engineering

Canterbury Christ Church University truly welcomes fresh perspectives and new voices. We want you to bring the real you to work, so we are committed to building a genuinely inclusive working environment where everyone is welcomed and where everyone can have a true sense of belonging. Our spirit of community will help us to eliminate discrimination and will enable us all to thrive in a culture that is underpinned by fairness and justice. We therefore seek people to join us who will proactively support and shape this aim and contribute in their own unique way. If this is you, then we are waiting to hear from you …. #yourCCCU.

For an informal discussion regarding the 0.5 FTE PhD element of this role, please contact the academic supervising this PhD, Dr Jana Stastna, [email protected]. For an informal discussion regarding the 0.5 FTE instructor element of this role, please contact the Section Director Chris Harvey at: [email protected].

How to apply

Start date for applications: 22nd of February 2023
Closing date for applications: 12th of May 2023
Interviews are to be held: Week commencing 1st of May 2023

If you require further information regarding the post please feel free to contact Chris Harvey, [email protected] (strictly no agencies, thank you) quoting reference number REQ03853.

Prior consideration will be given to applicants in the University’s redeployment pool. No agencies, thank you.