University College London
Job title:
Research Fellow
Company
University College London
Job description
About usBiosciences is one of the world’s foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences and one of the largest Divisions within UCL, undertaking a significant amount of research and teaching. The Division has a diverse portfolio addressing all areas of biology from protein interactions to cell function, organism development, genetics, population studies and the environment. Computational modelling approaches are frequently used alongside experimental research programmes and much of our research crosses traditional boundaries, including the relationship of biodiversity to the health of the planet. Activity is underpinned by high calibre science technology platforms and state of the art equipment. Educational activity includes a range of undergraduate programmes, an expanding number of Masters Programmes and a substantial number of postgraduate research students.This is an exciting opportunity to join the Koch lab within the Medawar Pain and Somatosensory Group.The Koch lab investigates adaptive plasticity in sensorimotor circuits. Movement is fundamental to our survival, this includes seeking food, shelter or escaping harm. Our movement must therefore be adaptive to allow us to sense the environment and react to our surroundings in the most appropriate manner for safety. Our primary research interest is to understand how the nervous system learns to interact with the environment in order to allow specific and precise movements to be recruited.About the roleAs Research Fellow, you will lead a project investigating the spinal circuits underlying pain localisation and how these circuits may contribute to chronic widespread pain. The project aims to establish a link between the maturation of spinal circuits, and their plasticity within chronic widespread pain states. To do so, we use combination of viral manipulations, transgenic mouse lines, electrophysiology, sensorimotor behavioural tests and machine learning.The project will include designing and running experiments, recording, analysing and writing up results. The postholder will work as part of a team to advance lab projects and in addition contribute to general lab duties such as maintaining stocks and supervise students in research projects.This role is an open-ended contract funded for two years from the start date in the first instance.Please note that salary will be £48,007 per annum including London Allowance. Also, appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis.This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 80% on site and is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit for more information.If you have any queries about the role, please contact Stephanie Koch ([email protected]). If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact the HR team ([email protected]) stating the advert reference number in the subject line.About youYou must have a PhD (or be working towards it) in an area related to neurobiology and expertise in two or more of the following: circuit dissection, viral manipulations, behavioural analysis, electrophysiology.For more details on the requirements, please refer to the job description and person specification that can be accessed at the bottom of this page.What we offerThe UCL Ways of Working supports colleagues to be successful and happy at UCL through sharing expectations around how we work – please visit to find out more.As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Immigration loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
Visit to find out more.Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and InclusionAs 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. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.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+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.Our division holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here:Available documents
Expected salary
£48007 per year
Location
North West London
Job date
Sun, 16 Mar 2025 00:56:14 GMT
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