Senior Research Technician

About us

The Department of Neuromuscular Diseases is a hub for clinical and research excellence across the spectrum of spinal cord and neuromuscular diseases. The Department hosts a number of important Research Centres, including the Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease (QSMND) Centre, which aims to be a leading international centre for MND, engaging with national and international partners and the UK’s leading centre for multidisciplinary training of basic and clinical scientists in MND.

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Research Technician to join the QSMND and be a part of the new United to End MND UK Partnership. United to End Motor Neuron Disease’s (U2EM; Phase 1) research strategy is to finalise human cell models of MND and identify novel disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this incurable condition. The work will focus on genetic engineering, gene expression modification, and treatments of cell models of MND to look at changes of cell viability and secretome.

You will be central in bridging observation from cell lines of the disease to translational approaches. You will optimise, maintain, and investigate human cell lines reproducing MND pathobiology, testing in vitro specific compounds and look at the cell response and biomarkers profile. You will work collaboratively with other team members and U2EM partners across the UK to exploit human MND cell models for the discovery of biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets.

The post is available immediately and funded by a grant from LifeArc until 30 June 2025 in the first instance.

About you

You’ll have an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience, Biology, or a related discipline, or equivalent research experience. Experience with iPSCs handling and genetic manipulation approaches is essential, as is experience with the development of immunoassays and homebrew assays, and use of single molecular array and MSD platforms. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong problem-solving abilities, and the ability to act on your own initiative are also required for this role.

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

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer 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.

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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