Research Fellow

About the role

The department has internationally recognised research groups in pure and applied analysis, fluid mechanics, mathematical physics, geometry and topology, algebra, number theory and combinatorics, and mathematical modelling in biology, finance, industry and society. Applications are invited for two full-time Research Fellow positions to work with Dr Philip Pearce. The posts are funded by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship entitled “Multiscale Modelling and Control of Soft Biological Matter: Linking Biomolecular Interactions to Macroscopic Function”. In this project, we will build a theoretical framework to predict how macroscopic properties and functions emerge from molecular and cellular interactions in cell populations. Relevant biological systems that we work on in the group include bacterial biofilms, Dictyostelium discoideum and cancer cell migration. The postholders will focus on building cell-based and/or continuum models and simulations to predict how macroscopic properties emerge from molecular and cellular interactions. There is also an opportunity to work on coarse-grained molecular simulations depending on the interest of the postholders. The responsibilities of the posts will include carrying out vigorous, high-level research into modelling cell populations, developing and running code to model biological systems using discrete and/or continuum methods, and interfacing with other team members and experimental collaborators. The posts are available from 01 September 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter and are funded until 30th March 2026 in the first instance, due to funding restrictions.

About you

Candidates should have PhD in Mathematics, Physics, Biophysics, or relevant areas of Computational Biology or Chemistry. Candidates should either have a PhD or equivalent qualification, finalise their PhD, or wait for their viva date. Please note: Appointment at Grade 7 depends on the award and confirmation of a PhD (or equivalent). If this is not the case, the initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B, point 28 (salary £39,980 per annum inclusive of London allowance), with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis. The successful candidates should have experience and knowledge of discrete (e.g. cell-based) and/or continuum modelling, ideally in a biological context, and experience in writing, developing and calibrating simulation code. The candidates should have a strong interest in biological research and commitment to high-quality research, excellent interpersonal skills to facilitate partici pation in a research group, mentoring PhD students, and communication with experimental collaborators. They should be able to analyse and write up results, present complex information effectively to a range of audiences, show commitment to UCL’s policy of equal opportunity, and work harmoniously with colleagues and students of all cultures and backgrounds. Outstanding candidates will have experience in research on bacterial biofilms, cell migration, and complex biological fluids and experience building mathematical models in close collaboration with experimental biologists. For the full spectrum of duties and responsibilities as well as essential and desired criteria, please refer to the Further Particulars document attached to this advert. If you have any queries regarding the vacancy or the application process, please contact Nancy Wilson (). Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Philip Pearce, email: . We particularly welcome female applicants and those from an ethnic minority, as they are under-represented within UCL at this level.

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