Research Fellow

About us

UCL School of Pharmacy is one of the world’s leading centres of excellence for pharmaceutical science, education and professional engagement.

About the role

The post holder will perform complex analysis of transduced primary astrocyte cell cultures to identify protein modifiers that may impact on Parkinson’s disease phenotypes in the presence of LRRK2 mutations. The project is focused on Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis, aiming to elucidate the effects of LRRK2 modifiers on Parkinson’s disease phenotypes. The post holder will perform complex analysis of transduced primary astrocyte cell cultures to identify protein modifiers that may impact cellular and molecular changes in the presence of LRRK2 mutations. Selected validated LRRK2 modifiers would be then proposed for potential therapeutic targeting. The project requires the culture and transduction of primary LRRK2 mutant and wild type astrocytes with lentiviral vectors to knockdown (shRNA) or enhance endogenous expression (CRISPR-a) of LRRK2 modifiers. The cultures will be analysed using basic molecular and cell biological techniqu es as well as high throughput imaging and analysis to observe modifier effects on LRRK2 and LRRK2 Rab substrate phosphorylation levels. The project is embedded in a larger international collaboration funded by the MJFF (USA), involving two PIs at UCL (UK), Prof Kirsten Harvey and Dr Claudia Manzoni, as well as several colleagues at the Universities of Dundee (UK), Padova (Italy) and Lille (France). The postholder will meet regularly with Prof Harvey (cell and molecular biology team leader at UCL) and will also present at meetings with Dr Manzoni and the extended working team. This position is ranked a Grade 7 (Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B) The postholder will be based in London at UCL. If you have any queries regarding the vacancy or the application process, please contact the HR Office, () A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of the page. To ap ply for the vacancy please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below.

What we offer

We are searching for a candidate able to fill in this position on or before 1st July 2025. This role is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of 31st December 2025. 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. The UCL Ways of Working supports colleagues to be successful and happy at UCL through sharing expectations around how we work – please click on https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/policies-advice/ways-working to find out more.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits which can be seen in the link below:

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

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

You can read about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/

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