Research Assistant

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 facilitates RNA and gene therapy programs.

We are seeking a talented Research Assistant to work on a translational AAV gene therapy project for Parkinson’s disease at the GTAC under the direction of Professor Joanne Ng.

You will join a team leading in-vivo gene therapy projects in neurological and neuromuscular disorders and contribute to an in-vivo neurodegenerative disease gene therapy program.

The post is available from 01 October 2025 and is funded by LifeArc until 18 February 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).

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Professor Joanne Ng (j.ng at ucl.ac.uk).

You’ll have an MSc in Biological Science, Neuroscience or Cell & Gene Therapy, and hold a UK Home Office personal license. You will be skilled in tissue harvest and processing for fixation, molecular cloning, molecular biology techniques for gene expression, protein expression by western blot, and brain immunohistochemistry. In addition, you will have excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to think independently and problem solve.

Starting salary on UCL Grade 6B in the range £38,607 - £41,255 per annum including London Allowance.

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.

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: B02-09006

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