Research Technician

About us

The Department of Neuromuscular Diseases is a hub for clinical and research excellence across the spectrum of spinal cord and neuromuscular diseases. Our group of world-leading clinical, genetic and basic science researchers focus their work on understanding the causes and biological mechanisms leading to neuromuscular diseases and translating this knowledge into developing novel therapeutic solutions that is of direct benefit to neurological disorders.

Our research groups use a powerful combination of modern non-invasive research technology, theoretical and computational approaches and a variety of cellular, animal and human models, while translational programmes include use of cell culture, molecular biology and transgenic approaches.

About the role

We are recruiting a Research Technician to join the Department of Neuromuscular Diseases under the supervision of Professors Henry Houlden and Mike Hanna. This work will be funded by an MRC grant to investigate Neuromuscular disorders (NMD) through an international collaboration as part of the International Centre for Genomic Medicine in Neuromuscular diseases (ICGNMD). This is an important international project collaborating with lower- and middle-income countries and UK partner sites and aims to discover the global genetic causes of neuromuscular diseases (NMD) alongside growing international capacity in NMD clinical genomics.

You will be responsible for very high molecular weight DNA and RNA extraction from biosamples using the latest fat reduction protocols, as well as Sanger sequencing and other genetic techniques, some cell culture including maintaining a range of cell-based models and analysing cell lines.

You will work closely with academics and clinicians, writing talks, and working on publications with the team, and will suit a motivated, ambitious, hardworking person.

The post is available from March 2026 and is funded by a UK Medical Research Council award for one year in the first instance.

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 B02-10065. 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.

About you

You will have an undergraduate degree in a biomedical science discipline, experience of working with samples such as human blood and other tissues, and a background in anger sequencing, fragment analysis, and molecular biology. Excellent time management skills, good interpersonal skills with the ability to work co-operatively in as multidisciplinary environment, and the ability to work to strict objectives is also essential for this role.

This role does not meet the eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa certificate of sponsorship under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore UCL will not be able to sponsor individuals who require right to work in the UK to carry out this role.

What we offer

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: B02-10065

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