Research Fellow

About us

We are a team of scientists and clinicians working on viral infections in kidney transplant patients. We are interested in BK virus nephropathy a condition caused by BK virus damage to the transplanted kidney for which there is no current treatment except reduction of the immunosuppression, hoping that the recipient can mount an effective immune response. In a significant proportion, this does not clear the virus and there is a premature loss of the graft. We have developed an assay to monitor neutralising antibodies to BK Virus and have found that some people make broadly neutralising antibodies- potentially providing protection to an array of viral serotypes. We want to harness this by making monoclonal antibodies from broadly neutralising patients BK specific B cells. The team work across the Division of Medicine (UCL Centre for Kidney And Bladder Health) and the Pears Institute of immunity and Transplantation.

About the role

The role is a fixed term contract until 31 August 2026 and will be based at the Pears Institute and will involve obtaining samples taken by clinical colleagues from patients seen in the Kidney Transplant Clinic in the Royal Free Hospital. The laboratory work will be based in Dr Matthew Reeves Laboratory. There will be weekly meetings with Dr Reeves and Prof Salama to update on progress. Some learning of new techniques may involve travel to Oxford University for a day or two to learn from collaborators. 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 Mohini Badiani (m.badiani@ucl.ac.uk)

About you

We need an enthusiastic post-doctoral scientist who is competent at flow cytometry, cell sorting and molecular biology. The role will involve using patient samples to isolate BK specific B cells and identify BCR sequences. These will then be used to make novel monoclonal antibodies- which will need to be tested in neutralising assays.

What we offer

This is an exciting opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team working across the Division of Medicine. As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below: • 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) • Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme • Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) • Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan • Immigration loan • Relocation scheme for certain posts • On-Site nursery • On-site gym • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay • Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service • Discounted medical insurance 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. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. 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+ people. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.

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