Research Fellow

The Cortese Laboratory, based in the Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, focuses on the discovery and modelling of novel causes of inherited neuropathies and other neurodegenerative diseases, with particular interest in repeat expansion disorders and conditions caused by variations in non-coding DNA. One of the main commitments of his lab is the further elucidation of the mechanism and development of treatment for RFC1 CANVAS.

We are recruiting a Research Fellow to work on therapy development for repeat expansion diseases and in particular RFC1 CANVAS, under the supervision of Professor Andrea Cortese (Neurogenetics lab) and in collaboration with Professor Joanne Ng (Genetic Therapy Accelerator Centre) and Professor Fiona Ducotterd (ARUK UCL Drug Discovery Institute).

Biallelic AAGGG expansions in RFC1 are associated with CANVAS and are increasingly recognised as a cause of adult-onset ataxia and sensory neuropathy. With our previous work we have showed that AAGGG expansions are associated with tissue-specific reductions in the expression of RFC1 transcript, along with impaired RFC1 function and increased sensitivity to DNA damage from platin drugs. CRISPR/Cas9 excision of the AAGGG repeat and flanking AluSx3 element normalized RFC1 expression in iPSC neurons and rescued the DNA damage response, providing a framework for future therapeutic strategies.

We are committed to pursue gene reprovision or increase of endogenous RFC1 through small molecules or genetic modifiers as a therapeutic avenue for the treatment of this very common condition.

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 RFC1 CANVAS led by Professor Andrea Cortese.

The post is available from 01 February 2026 and funded by an ERC Award for two years 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 Andrea Cortese (andrea.cortese 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 B02-09795. 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 (or equivalent) in molecular biology, AAV gene therapy, drug screening, IPSC work, or a relevant discipline, coupled with extensive practical molecular cloning and Crispr editing experience, and postdoctoral experience in AAV gene therapy, drug screening, gene perturbation, or IPSC work. Skills in AAV production, tissue culture with human cell lines, and Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting are also essential for this role.

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 £39,148 - £52,586 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: B02-09795

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