Research Fellow

The Research Departments of Neurodegenerative Disease and the UK Dementia Research at UCL are internationally recognised leaders in the study of a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases, including those leading to dementia and neuroinflammation. We have a strong focus on mechanistic dissection of genetic, molecular cellular and neuropathological processes which underlie across the neurodegeneration spectrum.

The laboratory of Dr Salih is dedicated to investigating the interplay between the immune system and cognitive function in the ageing brain focusing on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. We study genetic variation in the human population and their effects on neurodegenerative diseases using techniques such as GWAS, transcriptomics, and epigenetics. Our interdisciplinary approach integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and advanced genomic methods to advance our understanding and treatment of dementia and age-related disorders.

We are seeking a Research Fellow to join a dynamic team that employs cutting-edge models - including iPSC-based cell biology, screening, biochemistry, genomics, imaging, and bioinformatics - to uncover new mechanistic insights into genes with variants associated with ageing and neurological function.

The overarching goal of the project is to systematically characterise the glial-specific functions of newly identified longevity-associated genes recently published by the Salih lab (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae339) - in models of ageing and Alzheimer’s disease-associated toxicity, and thus to identify which of these genes are most promising for future therapeutic targeting in neurodegenerative diseases.

You will be responsible for planning, execution and report of experiments and contribution to the formulation and submission of research publications as well as management and direction of this challenging project as opportunities allow.

The post is available from 01 August 2025 and is funded by a grant from the Medical Research Council to 31 July 2028 in the first instance.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin at ucl.ac.uk).

For informal enquiries about the role please contact Dr Dervis Salih (dervis.salih at ucl.ac.uk).

Interviews are scheduled for the week beginning 14 July 2025.

For a full job description and to apply for this role please visit UCL’s online recruitment portal (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs) and search using vacancy reference B02-08817.

You will hold a PhD (or be near to completion) in Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related discipline, with knowledge of iPSC-microglia, neuronal cultures and/or primary cells and molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease, ageing and/or immunology. Experience with siRNA or other genetic manipulation methods, with cell biology and biochemistry, with microscopy and with transcriptomics is also a requirement.

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 £38,607 - £41,255 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 some great benefits; visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Customer advert reference: B02-08817

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