Academic clinical fellowships in Neuroscience
Neuroscience has been a key area of strategic investment in the Faculty of Health since 2001, with the appointment of research leaders of international standing in Neurology, Neuropathology and Neuroimaging.
The major areas of research interest are neurodegenerative diseases (diseases of the motor system, basal ganglia and dementia) as well as cerebrovascular disorders, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and functional neurological disorders. The departmental research portfolio includes genetic, cellular, molecular and clinical research with a strong focus on translational research, including gene therapy technologies and a rapidly expanding interest and expertise in personalized Medicine.
There are strong collaborative links with other Neuroscience groups within the University including: the Neuroradiology group which focuses on the investigation of the causes and sequelae of cerebrovascular disease and neurodegenerative disease processes; the Bateson Centre with major strengths in Developmental Neuroscience and in small model systems for vascular and neurodegenerative disease and the Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging groups in the Department of Psychology.
In addition, there are strong collaborations with the Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research and the Insigneo Institute. The department also benefits from in-house bioinformatics support through a dedicated core team as well as strengths and expertise in Drug Discovery Science.
The department is also a partner alongside the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) which was created in April 2017 and its primary focus is on translational neuroscience for chronic neurological disorders.
Successful ACF applicants may be eligible to subsequently also apply for a 1 year BRC fellowship.
Research activity within the Neuroscience department is supported through a broad portfolio of research funding. This includes project and programme grant support from major UK funding organizations such as the Wellcome Trust; Medical Research Council; NIHR; EU and multiple neurological disease-related charities. Substantial funding from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies supports our translational and clinical research programmes.
Neuroscience research facilities available include cutting-edge techniques for the investigation of the molecular basis of neurological disease including neurogenetics, proteomics and microarray laboratories, facilities for live cellular imaging and laser capture microdissection. CNS tissue, DNA and CSF banks have been established from large neurological patient groups.
The Department has a strong track record of training early-career clinical researchers and supporting their ongoing training through all stage of the clinical academic training programmes through to independent fellowships and onto successful Clinical Academic positions within the University.