Senior Research Technician

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 are of direct benefit to neurological disorders.

The Fratta Lab, based in the department, is a translational neuroscience laboratory whose research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of ALS, frontotemporal dementia, and related TDP-43 proteinopathies, with a particular emphasis on RNA biology, cryptic splicing, and the development of novel therapeutics.

The lab is now recruiting a Senior Research Technician to join an exciting MRC-funded experimental medicine programme investigating a newly identified link between TDP-43 pathology and the immune system, along with the development of novel gene therapies for ALS. The Fratta Lab has discovered that TDP-43-induced cryptic peptides act as neoantigens that drive a cytotoxic T cell response in ALS and inclusion body myositis (IBM). You will work within a highly collaborative team to understand the mechanisms underlying this activation and the impact this has in disease.

This is an outstanding opportunity within one of the UK's leading clinical neuroscience environments.

The post is available from 01 October 2026 and funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) until 30 September 2027 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 Pietro Fratta (p.fratta at ucl.ac.uk).

Application deadline: 23:59, Tuesday, 08 September 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 B02-11107. 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 in Neuroscience (or another biology subject) and experience in in vivo mouse work, cell culture, and molecular biology and cloning. Excellent IT skills are essential, as is the ability to organise and prioritise your own work, supervise and teach laboratory techniques, and the enthusiasm and ability to go the extra mile for patients and those in clinical care.

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: B02-11107

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