Research Fellow – Mouse Electrophysiologist

The Nascimento Research Group is a newly established laboratory within the Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, focused on translational neuroscience and the study of spinal motor circuit neurophysiology in both animal models of disease, including ALS, and in human patients. The group uses a range of electrophysiological approaches in rodents alongside high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) in humans.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow to study neuromuscular and spinal circuit pathophysiology in mouse models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

We have recently shown that spinal microcircuits undergo some of the earliest alterations in ALS, preceding motoneuron death by months (Nascimento et al. Cell Rep 2024). These changes are likely part of pro-homeostatic mechanisms that preserve motor output during early disease stages despite ongoing neurodegeneration. Such alterations may be multiphasic across disease progression, and emerging evidence suggests that the intrinsic resilience of spinal circuits may play a critical role in determining the rate of functional decline.

This project aims to characterise the time-course of alterations in spinal microcircuits, motoneurons, neuromuscular junctions, and muscle, and to determine how these changes impact motor behaviour in mouse models of ALS. You will employ a range of neurophysiological recording techniques in mice, including in vitro motoneuron recordings from spinal cord preparations, in vivo motoneuron recordings from intact animals, and ex vivo neuromuscular junction recordings from nerve-muscle preparations.

The position is available from 01 October 2026 and is funded by Wellcome until 30 September 2029 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).

For informal enquiries about the role please contact Dr Filipe Nascimento (f.nascimento at ucl.ac.uk).

Closing date: 23:59, Sunday, 28 June 2026.

We expect to hold interviews on 20 July 2026.

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 will have a PhD in a Neuroscience-related discipline (or be near completion), with experience in electrophysiology, in vitro patch clamp recordings and/or in vivo recordings. A good understanding of neuronal physiology and single cell electrophysiology is essential, as is a proven ability to critically evaluate experimental results and analyse data using appropriate statistical methods, with experience writing up findings for publication. Evidence of a good publication record and a solid quantitative background with proficiency in data analysis and statistics is also a requirement.

Starting salary offered at £41,103 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

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.

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: B02-10671

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