Research Fellow

The Isaacs lab, based in the Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We are particularly interested in the C9orf72 gene, which is a common cause of both FTD and ALS and the CHMP2B gene, which is a rare cause of FTD. We use a multidisciplinary approach including disease modelling in mice, Drosophila, primary neurons and iPS cell-derived neurons.

This post will be based in the Niccoli lab in the UCL Institute of Healthy Ageing. The Niccoli lab s interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms leading to neuronal cell death in neurodegeneration, in particular in Alzheimer’s disease and ALS/FTD. We use fruit fly models to understand disease progression.

We recently identified a neuroprotective role for polyunsaturated fatty acids in models of FTD and ALS including Drosophila models (Giblin, Cammack et al Nature Neuroscience 2025). This post will further investigate the mechanisms involved using Drosophila models. We are seeking a motivated, organised, and committed postdoctoral Research Fellow who thrives in an interactive, friendly research team. You will work under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigators across the Niccoli and Isaacs laboratories and be expected to work increasingly independently and provide input into the design and execution of experiments.

The post is available from 01 May 2026 and is funded by the UK Dementia Research Institute until 31 March 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 Adrian Isaacs (a.isaacs at ucl.ac.uk).

Application deadline: 23:59, Thursday, 09 April 2026

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 B02-10305. 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 be about to complete) in a relevant discipline such as biomedical research, a good understanding of genetics, and experience in setting up genetic crosses. Experience with molecular biology techniques such as qPCR and an interest in neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases is also essential for this role. Experience with Drosophila maintenance and genetic crosses and with immunostaining, microscopy, and image analysis is desirable.

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: B02-10305

Advert information