Lead RVC Supervisor - Dr Patrick Lewis

Non-RVC Supervisors - Dr Claudia Manzoni (UCL School of Pharmacy), Dr Charlie Arber (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology)

Background, Aims and Objectives:

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the deposition of proteins in the aging brain, in particular amyloid beta and tau. Amyloid beta is produced by the proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein by two enzymatic activities – beta and gamma secretase. The goal of this PhD project is to investigate and map the gamma secretase interactome and activities using a combination of bioinformatic and cellular techniques, with the goal of gaining a deeper understand of how to target gamma secretase in Alzheimer’s. Funded by Alzheimer’s research UK, this four year studentship is a collaboration between Patrick Lewis at the RVC, along with Charlie Arber and Claudia Manzoni at UCL. The student will also spend 6 months at Eisai Pharmaceuticals, gaining experience of the pharmaceutical industry, and 3 months at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland working at the Centre for Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders (CARD) examining genetic variant data relating to gamma secretase.

References

Vavouraki N, Tomkins JE, Kara E, Houlden H, Hardy J, Tindall MJ, Lewis PA, Manzoni C (2021) “Integrating protein networks and machine learning for disease stratification in the Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias” iScience 24: 102484  

Zhao Y, Bracher-Smith M, Li Y, Harvey K, Escott-Price V, Lewis PA, Manzoni C. (2024) “Transcriptomics and weighted protein network analyses of the LRRK2 protein interactome reveal distinct molecular signatures for sporadic and LRRK2 Parkinson's Disease”. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 10: 144

Ziff OJ, Jolly S, Casey JM, Granat L, Samra S, Seto-Salvia N, Alatza A, Phadke L, Galet B, Ravassard P, Potier MC, Fox NC, Hardy J, Salih D, Whiting P, Ducotterd F, Patani R, Wray S, Arber C (2024) “Mutations in PSEN1 predispose inflammation in an astrocyte model of familial Alzheimer’s disease through disrupted regulated intramembrane proteolysis” bioRxiv 2024.09.09.611621; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.09.09.611621

Requirements

Essential 

• First degree in a relevant subject

Desirable 

• Experience of bioinformatic techniques and/or coding
• Experience in cellular/biochemical model systems
• Background in neurodegenerative diseases
• Masters level degree in a relevant subject

Fees & Funding

Fully funded at UK home student rate by Alzheimer’s Research UK

Duration 4 year studentship

Location Camden Campus

The studentship will commence October 2025.

Open to applicants eligible for "Home" fees. International applicants are welcome to apply but must be able to fund the difference between "Home" and "Overseas" tuition fees. 

EU/EEA and Swiss national students starting studies in the 2021/22 academic year or later academic years may no longer be eligible to pay the “home” rate of tuition fees nor claim any financial support for their studies dependent on your personal circumstances (including immigration status and residence history in the UK). To help determine whether you would be eligible for home fees please see the UKCISA's 'Who pays 'home' fees for higher education in England?' guide found here.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please follow the link below.  Please use your personal statement to demonstrate any previous skills or experience you have in either cellular analysis or bioinformatics.

How to Apply

For more information on the application process and English Language requirements see How to Apply.

Interviews will take place in person at our Hawkshead Camden Campus OR remotely on 16th May 2025.

We welcome informal enquiries - these should be directed to Patrick Lewis (plewis@rvc.ac.uk)  

Deadline: 02/05/2025