Research Associates (x3)
UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences
The Baljit Khakh Laboratory is relocating from the University of California Los Angeles to the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at Cardiff and is seeking to appoint a number of Research Associates to join a newly established and ambitious research programme investigating the roles of astrocytes in brain function and dementia.
Professor Baljit S. Khakh, internationally recognized for discoveries in astrocyte physiology and neuron–glia signalling, is launching his new research programme at UK DRI Cardiff University in summer 2026. The lab will integrate molecular genetics, advanced imaging, electrophysiology, and translational neuroscience to explore fundamental neuroscience mechanisms and uncover how astrocyte dysfunction contributes to the onset and progression of dementia.
This is a new opportunity to join a leading neuroscience lab at one of the UK’s most vibrant and collaborative research hubs. The group will explore how astrocytes shape neural circuit activity, cognition, and neurodegeneration — with the goal of identifying new mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for dementia and related disorders. The laboratory will be housed in state-of-the-art research facilities within the Hadyn Ellis Building.
Launched in 2017, the UK DRI stands as a beacon of scientific innovation, representing an unprecedented £300 million investment in dementia research—the largest of its kind in UK history. The purpose of the UK DRI is through research, to transform the outlook for people living with or at risk of neurodegenerative conditions.
Located within Cardiff University’s world-class neuroscience and biomedical research environment, the UK DRI at Cardiff is the biggest investment Wales has made in neurodegenerative disease research to date. The Centre brings together scientists from a range of research backgrounds, and the lab offers an exceptional setting for innovation, publishing of impactful research papers, collaboration, training in state-of-the-art methods and career growth.
We’d like to hear from you if you are:
- Committed to rigorous, collaborative, and innovative research.
- Highly driven and motivated.
- Adaptable, communicative and organised
- An effective team player who can demonstrate a proven track record of working on your own initiative.
- Interested in travelling to pursue collaborations which may include spending some time in the laboratory of a national or international collaborator
This post is based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus.
Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.
How we will support you in performing in this role –
There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience. We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:
1. Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2. An experienced and supportive team around you
3. Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4. A mentoring scheme
For informal enquiries please contact Prof Baljit Khakh on [email protected]
This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1st August 2026 and fixed term until 31st July 2031.
Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.
Closing date: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We especially welcome and encourage applications from those from under-represented groups within the University workforce, such as those who identify as LGBT +, BAME or those with disabilities. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University