Senior Research Fellow

The Alzheimer's Research UK Drug Discovery Institute at University College London (ARUK UDDI) is a member of the Alzheimer’s Research UK funded Dementia Discovery Alliance (DDA) – a highly successful trilogy of institutes (alongside Oxford and Cambridge) translating cutting-edge academic innovations into medicines for patients living with neurodegenerative diseases.

The ARUK UCL DDI, organisationally placed within the Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, is integrated into the world-renowned UCL Neuroscience community and closely aligned with the Dementia Research Institute at UCL.

We are now recruiting a Senior Research Fellow (Grade 8) to join the ARUK UDDI but will also consider candidates interested in being appointed as Research Fellow (Grade 7); please refer to the job description and person specification for detailed information regarding the expectations at each grade level.

Reporting to Head of Chemistry, Professor Matt Cheeseman, within the Medicinal Chemistry group, you will play a key role in the design and optimisation of novel small-molecule lead drug candidates and chemical biology tools to enable drug target validation and the progression of drug discovery programs towards patients. You will be responsible for the delivery of a portfolio of projects. As a member of project teams, you will work collaboratively with the project lead, the biology, screening and chemistry scientists within the ARUK UCL DDI, and established drug discovery experts across UCL and CROs, to develop small-molecule hits into robust lead candidate compounds.

The post is available immediately and funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK until 30 April 2026 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 Matt Cheeseman (m.cheeseman at ucl.ac.uk).

For a full job description please visit UCL’s online recruitment portal (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs) and search using vacancy reference B02-09241. To apply, please upload a current CV, complete the online application form, and use the supporting statement section or upload a cover letter to outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please do not upload any additional attachments as these will not be considered by the selection panel.

You’ll have a PhD in chemistry or cheminformatics (or the equivalent level of research experience), detailed knowledge of computational techniques in drug discovery, and detailed knowledge of contemporary medicinal chemistry and drug design. Excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to work to deadlines, and strong communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills are also essential for this role.

To be appointed a Senior Research Fellow (Grade 8) you will also have experience of leadership and line management, evidenced effectiveness as a coach and mentor to direct reports, and prior postdoctoral experience with an excellent academic record and evidence of creative work.

Appointment as Research Fellow is graded as UCL Grade 7 with salary in the range £45,103 - £52,586 per annum including London Allowance. Appointment as Senior Research Fellow is graded as UCL Grade 8 with salary in the range £54,931 - £64,644 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.

Customer advert reference: B02-09241

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