Research Technician

About us

The Department of Neurodegenerative Disease is focused on 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.

The Isaacs Lab, based in the Department, investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). They are particularly interested in the repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene, which is a common cause of both FTD and ALS, and use a multidisciplinary approach including disease modelling in mice, Drosophila, primary neurons and iPS cell-derived neurons.

About the role

The Lab has recently started to investigate repeat expansion disorders beyond C9orf72, including ALS caused by intermediate ATXN2 repeat expansions, Huntington’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxias.

We are now recruiting a Research Technician to work to develop methods to enrich cell types of interest from post-mortem brain tissue such as fluorescence activated nuclear sorting (FANS), followed by preparation of libraries for single cell nuclear RNA-sequencing, and performing bioinformatic analysis of the data.

The post is available from 01 October 2026 and funded by the UK DRI until 30 September 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 BSc in a relevant discipline such as biomedical research, coupled with experience with the preparation of snRNAseq libraries, bioinformatic analysis of snRNAseq data, and with biochemical or molecular biology analyses of post-mortem brain material. Good IT proficiency, strong communication and problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively is also essential for this role.

This role does not meet the eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa certificate of sponsorship under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore UCL will not be able to sponsor individuals who require right to work in the UK to carry out this role.

What we offer

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.

We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible, and job share basis wherever possible.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.

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