Clinical Research Fellow

The UCL Huntington’s Disease Centre is uniquely placed world-wide to translate mechanistic insights to ‘first in human’ studies. It combines sophisticated cell-based systems with rigorously standardised preclinical target validation to prime mechanistically-driven drug development initiatives. The Centre integrates clinical and laboratory work with small proof-of-concept first in human studies in patients in the Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre (LWENC) prior to initiating larger phase 2 and 3 clinical trials including novel huntingtin-lowering trials.

We are recruiting a Clinical Research Fellow to join the Centre to work on the Treat-HD project, an innovative study funded by Wellcome and led by Professor Sarah J Tabrizi, that seeks to further understand neurodegeneration using HD as a model disorder. This is an exciting opportunity to join a world leading research group who are leading the way in developing and testing novel therapies for HD patients. We have strong partnerships with biotech and pharmaceutical companies as well as collaborations with numerous international academic research groups.

You will primarily drive the clinical aims of our HD Young Adult Study (HD-YAS): to determine early systems-level pathology and impact on symptomatology in young adult HD gene carriers and to identify target engagement and efficacy markers for future therapeutic trials.

This key post within Professor Tabrizi’s team will provide unique research and clinical experience in neurogenetics, neurodegenerative diseases, Huntington’s disease, movement disorders, 3T and 7T neuroimaging, CSF biology and biomarkers and cognitive neuroscience.

You will also have the opportunity to become involved in the early phase gene therapy and antisense oligonucleotide treatment trials ongoing in HD. You will be an integral part of the HD Research Centre, participating in the multidisciplinary HD and neurogenetics clinics at the NHNN, under the clinical supervision of Professors Sarah Tabrizi and Edward Wild. You will have the chance to study for a higher degree, benefitting from academic support from world leaders in the field and access to our unique cohort with deep phenotyping across multiple domains including biofluids, high field neuroimaging and behavioural data.

The post is available from 01 August 2024, funded by a combination of philanthropic and research grant funding for three 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 HR Team (ion.hradmin at ucl.ac.uk).

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 B02-06685.

You’ll be a registered medical practitioner, permitted to practise in the UK at the commencement of post, have completed general medical training to ST2 or equivalent level, and possess a very high level of consideration and care for patients and research subjects. Experience of working in neurology and an interest in neurodegenerative diseases is essential, as is demonstrable proficiency in lumbar puncture and the ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting. Experience of clinical/translational research and of working in Huntington’s disease is desirable.

The role is offered in the range of £43,619 - £67,652 per annum including London Allowance, on the CL, JDPS, or StR scale, dependent on NHS contract and/or stage of clinical training.

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.

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