Research Fellow

About us

The Research Department of Neurodegenerative Disease is recognized as internationally leading in the study of neurodegenerative diseases causing dementia and related disorders. The Department has a strong focus on mechanistic dissection of genetic, molecular cellular and neuropathological processes which underlie neurodegeneration in particular diseases and across the neurodegeneration spectrum.

Located in the department is the new Genetic Therapy Accelerator Centre (GTAC). The mission of the Centre is to embed translational research into the basic research and clinical activities of the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (ION). The Centre combines laboratory and clinical expertise focused on neuromuscular and neurological disorders, their mechanisms of disease and includes cutting-edge RNA and AAV gene therapy expertise. The Centre fosters cross-institutional collaborations and facilitate RNA and gene therapy programs.

About the role

We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic Research Fellow with a strong background in AAV gene therapy, molecular biology, and capsid variant development to work on a translational AAV gene therapy project for Collagen 6 (COL6)-related muscular dystrophy at the GTAC.

You will join a team at the forefront of in vitro and vivo RNA and AAV gene therapy projects focused on neurological and neuromuscular disorders, contributing to an extensive novel therapeutic programme for COL6-related dystrophy led by Dr Aguti, Professor Muntoni, and Professor Haiyan Zhou at the UCL Institute of Child Health with collaborators at NIH.

The post is available from 01 October 2025 and is funded by the MRC for one year in the first instance.

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 B02-08896.

About you

You’ll hold a PhD in molecular biology, AAV gene therapy, or a related discipline, hold a UK Home Office personal license, and have experience with molecular cloning, Next Generation Sequencing, and in vivo biodistribution studies. AAV production, tissue culture and FACs skills are essential to this role, as is a high level of skill with molecular biology techniques, and good communication and interpersonal skills for collaborative working.

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

We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible, and job share basis wherever possible.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.

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.

Customer advert reference: B02-08896

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