Research Fellow

About us

The Department of Neurodegenerative Disease is recognised as internationally leading in the study of neurodegenerative diseases causing dementia and related disorders. The Department has a strong focus on mechanistic dissection of genetic, molecular cellular and neuropathological processes which underlie neurodegeneration in particular diseases and across the neurodegeneration spectrum.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow to join this world-leading Centre to investigate the role of the DNA damage response (DDR) in Huntington’s disease pathogenesis. You will examine the involvement of DDR proteins in repeat expansion in patient-derived cell models and will use induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients with HD to study the role of DDR proteins, focusing on the MutL MMR complexes, in repeat instability.

The role is available from 01 September 2024 and is funded by research grant funding until 31 August 2026 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.

For informal enquiries about the role please contact Dr Ross Ferguson.

About you

You will hold an Honours degree and a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant biological or related field. You should possess extensive experience in experimental laboratory research, along with experience in iPSC cultures and molecular biology, including PCR assays and transduction/transfection of cells.

Excellent oral and written communication skills, and good interpersonal skills with the ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting are also required. Experience of DNA repair or cancer DNA biology and an understanding of neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases are 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.

What we offer

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 £37,332 - £39,980 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.

We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible, and job share basis wherever possible.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.ucl.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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