Research Technician

About us

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 Felice Lab in the Centre for Integrative Anatomy, within the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at UCL. The successful applicant will conduct research as part of the UKRI-funded research project “The Consequences of Encephalization: Testing Trade-offs in Cranial Evolution”

You would be joining a vibrant and friendly team, with a collaborative style.

About the role

The research technician will carry out CT scanning of fossil and modern bird and mammal skulls, aiming to understand how cranial soft tissues such as muscles and sense organs constrain brain and skull evolution in deep time.

This will involve the use of the Nikon XT H 225 micro-CT scanner, sited in the Centre for Integrative Anatomy, and image segmentation with Amira/Avizo. The successful candidate will also have opportunities to travel abroad to scan additional specimens at natural history museums. The research technician will be expected to disseminate research results via conference presentations and publications. There will be a strong focus on career development through formal and informal training opportunities.

The post is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of 20/08/2025 in the first instance.

This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 80% on site.

We will consider applications to work on a job share basis wherever possible, but the role is unsuitable for part-time or flexible working, due to the lab-based nature of the work.

A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact Biosciences staffing at .

About you

With the team, you will contribute to setting up and performing experiments and writing up the work. For example, you will be carrying out micro-CT scanning of biological specimens, including 3D image processing and segmentation (e.g., Avizo, VGStudio, Dragonfly, 3DSlicer).

This will involve CT scanning of fossil specimens and also contrast-enhanced CT scanning (for example, diceCT). You will be expected to organize and curate the team’s database of 3D scan data of research funded by UKRI. You will assist the team in the development of protocols for CT scanning and contrast-enhanced CT scanning.

You will be expected to work collaboratively with the team and external partners, including:

• helping to disseminate search results using applicable academic and non-academic routes;
• (after appropriate training) maintaining the micro-CT scanner e.g., changing filaments
• training other users in the use of the micro-CT scanner

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