(Senior) Research Fellow

About us

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.

Embedded in the rich translational environment of the UCL Institute of Neurology, the ARUK UDDI is uniquely placed to find novel targets, rapidly validate identified novel targets and mechanisms, establish screens and progress projects from proof of concept to candidate selection.

About the role

We are seeking a Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow to join the ARUK DDI. You will play a key role in advancing our drug discovery programmes, with a primary focus on in vitro and in vivo profiling and translational research.

Working closely with project leads and interdisciplinary teams spanning chemistry, pharmacology, and biology, you will collaborate with leading scientific and drug discovery experts within UCL and across external partner organisations. You will design and deliver biological studies across the drug discovery pipeline, from target identification and validation through to compound efficacy and in vitro and in vivo proof-of-concept studies.

You will contribute to the delivery and integration of in vitro and in vivo analytical readouts, including immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, protein and RNA analyses, alongside fluid and tissue-based biomarker measurements to assess target engagement and pathway modulation. You will work closely with technical teams to incorporate transcriptomic, proteomic, and other omics approaches, ensuring alignment across models and high-quality data generation to support robust biological insights.

The post is available immediately and funded by ARUK until 30 April 2029 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 B02-10349. 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 hold a PhD in neurobiology and experience in cellular and molecular biology techniques, the design and execution of multidimensional in vivo studies to study basic biology, and the design, development, and implementation of assays to answer complex biological questions. Good interpersonal and communication skills, and an understanding of the mission of the ARUK UDDI and an interest in its work are also essential.

Candidates looking to be appointed as Senior Research Fellow (Grade 8) will also need prior postdoctoral drug discovery experience in industry, senior-level in vivo leadership, and expert knowledge in neurobiology/neurodegeneration, and have a proven track record of leading interdisciplinary drug discovery projects and managing external collaborations, including CRO partnerships.

What we offer

Salary offered at Research Fellow/UCL Grade 7 (£45,103 - £52,586 per annum including London Allowance) or Senior Research Fellow/UCL Grade 8 (£54,931 - £64,644 per annum including London Allowance), dependent on skills and experience.

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 - £41,833 per annum) with appointment as Research Fellow being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

Customer advert reference: B02-10349

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