Research Fellow

The mission of the Research Department of Epilepsy is to transform the lives of people living with epilepsy for the better by identifying, understanding and correcting or preventing the underlying mechanisms leading to the epilepsies and associated comorbidities in each individual person. Our vision is to build upon the excellence and breadth of our research, seamlessly integrating basic and clinical science.

The post will be based in the Experimental Epilepsy Group which sits within the Department; research within the Group spans across fundamental mechanisms of vesicle fusion and synaptic transmission, ion channel biology, experimental models of epilepsy, the function of neural circuits, and neurological diseases modelled in rodents and flies.

You will use molecular and cell biology tools to develop and characterize novel AAV-based gene therapies in iPSC-derived neurons. The project is central to a BBSRC-funded programme of research in collaboration with Royal Veterinary College aimed at optimizing gene therapy for refractory epilepsy, to test them in a clinical trial in drug-resistant epileptic dogs.

The post is available from September and funded by BBSRC until 31 August 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 Gabriele Lignani (g.lignani at ucl.ac.uk).

Application deadline: 23:59, Tuesday, 15 September 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’ll have a PhD (or equivalent) in Neuroscience or a related discipline, coupled with knowledge of viral vectors and experience of iPSC-derived neuron protocols, molecular biology techniques, basic bioinformatic analysis, and neurological disease modelling. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills and IT proficiency at advanced user level (i.e., with electrophysiological and imaging data processing and statistical analysis programs) is also essential for this role.

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.

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