Research Fellow

Nobel Laureate Professor James Rothman’s work focuses on the understanding the biochemical mechanisms involved in regulating the release of neurotransmitters at synapses.

His group, based in the Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, is using use well-defined reconstituted systems to uncover the fundamental biochemical mechanisms involved the mechanisms of synaptic vesicle release.

We are now recruiting a Research Fellow to work in the Rothman laboratory in the field of the synaptic release of neurotransmitters. The position complements the existing strengths in understanding synaptic physiology and neurological disease at IoN and in synaptic biochemistry and structural biology at the Department of Cell Biology at Yale University, supported by the Yale UCL Collaborative Network.

You will apply biophysical methods to study the physical-biochemical properties, including phase separation, of purified structural proteins of the synaptic active zone when attached to lipid bilayers. The project will involve membrane reconstitution, sophisticated TIRF and super-resolution microscopy, and related methods as part of the ERC Synergy grant "LiquORG".

The post is available from July 2023 and funded by the ERC Synergy grant "LiquORG" for two years in the first instance.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Professor James Rothman (james.rothman@yale.edu).

Application deadline: 23:59, Sunday, 23 April 2023.

We expect to hold interviews on 08-09 May 2023.

For a full job description and to apply for this role please visit UCL’s online recruitment portal (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs) and search using vacancy reference B02-04782.

You will have, or be close to obtaining, a PhD in a relevant discipline within neuroscience or biophysics and a track record of experimental laboratory research. Experience in membrane and/or protein biophysics and advanced optical microscopy is essential, and a strong publication record is desirable.

This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.

Appointment as Research Fellow is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be as Research Assistant (salary £35,702 - £37,548 per annum) with appointment as Research Fellow being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits; visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on EDI initiatives; visit https://www.u cl.ac.uk/ion/equality-diversity-inclusion for more information about what we’re doing. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce; these include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles.

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