Research Fellow

About us

The Research Department of Neurodegenerative Disease is recognised as one of the foremost international centres for the study of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. The research portfolio encompasses Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, Huntington’s disease, motor neurone disease, and frontotemporal dementia, and studies of the pathways of cellular senescence.

The UCL Dementia Research Centre (DRC) is a hub for clinical research into various forms of dementia. Our work focuses on identifying and understanding the disease processes that cause dementia, the factors that influence these disease processes, and how best to support people with dementia and their families. In addition to our research, we also provide a cognitive disorders clinic within the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

About the role

We are recruiting a Research Fellow to join a programme dedicated to the detailed characterisation of genetic frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The programme aims to develop new clinical trials in this important condition.

You will participate in the Genetic FTD Initiative (GENFI) study and the wider FTD Prevention Initiative (FPI) study to help develop the evidence base for a cross-centre academic-led research trial as well as initiate such a trial. Tasks will include assessing participants cognitively and digitally within the GENFI and FPI studies, ensuring data is collected accurately with appropriate quality control. Clinical, cognitive, imaging, and biomarker data will be then curated and analysed to provide the evidence base for trials.

An honorary contract will be sought from UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, for which a DBS check will be required.

The post is available from September 2024 and funded by the Milken Foundation until 31 August 2025 in the first instance.

For a full job description and to apply for this role please visit UCL’s online recruitment portal and search using vacancy reference B02-07417.

About you

You will have a PhD or equivalent experience in neuroscience research and a good working knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases (including biomarkers) and of the underlying causes of FTD. It is essential that you have experience of developing biomarkers in FTD and testing them in patients, of performing appropriate statistical analyses of digital biomarker data, and of working with participants and patients in a clinical research or healthcare environment. Experience of data management and of working with people with dementia is desirable.

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 great benefits; visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

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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