Research Fellow (Genetic Analysis)

About us

The Research Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, incorporating the Dementia Research Centre and Huntington’s Disease Centre, is recognised as internationally leading in the study of neurodegenerative diseases causing dementia and related disorders. The Department has a strong focus on mechanistic dissection of genetic, molecular cellular and neuropathological processes which underlie neurodegeneration in particular diseases and across the neurodegeneration spectrum. A related touchstone of our research is to identify pathophysiological mechanisms and markers that link molecular pathology to clinical phenotypes of neurodegenerative disease.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow to work on genetics of heterogenous Alzheimer’s disease phenotypes with co-investigators Professors Andre Altmann and David Cash. We anticipate major discoveries and publications from this work.

You will join a team carrying out phenotyping and genetic analyses of patients with dementia and UK Biobank volunteers, and work alongside the technical team at UK DRI at UCL. Beyond genetic analyses of case-control and quantitative phenotypes, there will be correlation with available long-read genomic and transcriptomic data from patient-donated brain samples with neurodegenerative disorders.

The post is aimed at an ambitious early career researcher, who has bioinformatic and clinical experience and is keen to pursue an academic career. You will be expected to conduct genotype-phenotype, genetic correlation and downstream functional analyses that will lead to discoveries and publications.

The post is available from 01 September 2026 and funded by the BrightFocus Foundation to 31 August 2027 in the first instance.

For a full job description please click the above 'Apply' button. 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’ll have a PhD in biology, genetics, or a cognate subject, and a background in genetic and bioinformatic analysis with particular focus on advanced programming (e.g., Python, R, Bash). Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills are essential, as is a high level of accuracy and ability to work to deadline. Experience with neurodegenerative disorders, neuropathology, and database management and a background statistics and clinical, radiologic and/or pathologic analysis and correlation with genomic or transcriptomic data is desirable.

This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.

What we offer

The post is graded as UCL Grade 7 with salary in the range £46,261 - £49,943 per annum, including London Allowance.

Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be as a Research Assistant/Grade 6B (salary £39,807 - £42,891 per annum inclusive of London Allowance) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the final date of final submission of the PhD thesis. It is expected that you will have had your viva prior to commencing in post.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits; Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

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