Research Fellow in Retinal Biology and Therapy

About us

Our mission is to maximise and advocate for the holistic health of all children, young people and the adults they will become, through world-class research, education and public engagement. The UCL GOS ICH, together with its clinical partner Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, forms the largest concentration of children’s health research outside North America. The 2024-29 GOS ICH strategy focuses on its five scientific programmes. GOS ICH’s activities include active engagement with children and families, to ensure that our work is relevant and appropriate to their needs. GOS ICH generates the funding for our research by setting out our proposals in high quality applications to public, charitable and industrial funding bodies and disseminates the results of our research by publication in the medical and scientific literature, to clinicians, policy makers and the wider public. The Institute offers world-class education and training across a wide range of teachin g and life learning programmes which address the needs of students and professional groups who are interested in and undertaking work relevant to child health. GOS ICH holds an Athena SWAN Charter Gold Award.

About the role

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated researcher to join the Eye Development and Repair Group led by Prof Jane Sowden. This is an exciting position focusing on development of cell replacement therapy for retinal dystrophy using tissue engineering approaches. The post would suit a postdoctoral researcher with a strong background and interest in retinal dystrophy, retinal molecular and cellular biology, or therapeutic development. Experience of animal model characterization or stem cell differentiation and retinal organoids is desirable. The post holder will work on a project to create a microengineered hPSC-photoreceptor cell patch that can be transplanted into the central retina as a treatment for retinal dystrophies. Candidate will work with retinal organoids to grow photoreceptors on a biocompatible scaffold and test its toxicity and compatibility in a pre-clinical model. The salary offered in this post is £42,099 - £43,205 per annum and is available from 1st December 202 4, it will be funded for 2 years in the first instance with possibility of extension depending on funding availability. The successful candidate will be based in the Birth Defect Research Centre at the UCL GOS Institute of Child Health with Professor Jane Sowden.

About you

The successful candidate should have (or close to obtaining) a PhD and BSc/MSc in a relevant life science subject (e.g. stem cell biology/ developmental biology/ genetics). Proven research aptitude and laboratory experience is essential. The successful applicant should be able to design and follow detailed protocols and will be expected to operate independently. The candidate would also support Prof Sowden with student supervision. Experience and skills in human pluripotent stem cell culture, histology, confocal microscopy and imaging is essential.

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