Research Assistant

Biosciences is one of the world’s foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences and one of the largest Divisions within UCL, undertaking a significant amount of research and teaching. The Division has a diverse portfolio addressing all areas of biology from protein interactions to cell function, organism development, genetics, population studies and the environment. Computational modelling approaches are frequently used alongside experimental research programmes and much of our research crosses traditional boundaries, including the relationship of biodiversity to the health of the planet. Activity is underpinned by high calibre science technology platforms and state of the art equipment. Educational activity includes a range of undergraduate programmes, an expanding number of Masters Programmes and a substantial number of postgraduate research students.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the group of Dr Sarah Ruediger, in the Research Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology. This new group is seeking to understand 1) how cortical and subcortical visual circuits function together to transform incoming sensory signals into learned actions. The post offers an exciting opportunity to work together with experimentalists to analyse large-scale neural activity recordings acquired using in vivo extracellular recording techniques or two-photon imaging.

The main purpose of this position is to be an active member of a research project/team working on establishing neuronal underpinnings of visually guided actions, with a particular focus on the contribution of cortical and subcortical visual processing. The role holder will implement data analysis pipelines and develop novel approaches to analyse neuronal activity of large populations of cells acquired using Neuropixels recordings and/or two-photon calcium imaging data during behaviour.

The role holder will be expected to produce independent, original contributions to the subject area while working collaboratively within a growing team. They will be one of the first members of the Ruediger lab and are expected to contribute to their own project and to support the team's overarching research objectives and requirements.

Essential functions:
• Develop analysis pipelines and novel algorithms to analyse behavioural data and large-scale recor! dings of neuronal activity.
• Work closely with experimentalists to improve our understanding of the neuronal underpinning of sensory based actions.
• Participate and collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment in a small team.
• Publish/present findings in peer-reviewed journals/scientific conferences.

Applicants should have a graduate degree or equivalent experience in neuroscience, engineering, computer science, physics mathematics or a related. An extensive background in programming, computational neuroscience, statistics, or data science approaches is essential. Desirable requirements include a PhD degree in a relevant field and experience with open-source software development, analysing/modelling of behavioural data, in vivo approaches to monitor including electrophysiology, two-photon Calcium imaging. Experience in writing of scientific manuscripts as evidenced by a record of publications or preprints is also desirable.

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