Research Fellow

About us

The Research Department of Neurodegenerative Disease 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.

The Isaacs Lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We are particularly interested in the C9orf72 gene, which is a common cause of both FTD and ALS and the CHMP2B gene, which is a rare cause of FTD. We are working to translate our research findings into potential therapies using gene therapy and high-throughput screening approaches.

About the role

We are seeking a Research Fellow to perform high-throughput screening in collaboration with the ARUK UCL Drug Discovery Institute. iPSC-neurons and human cell lines will be used for small molecule and genetic screening, with follow-up of hits in relevant functional assays.

The role is available from 01 September 2023 and funded by the UK Dementia Research Institute to 30 September 2024 in the first instance.

For a full job description and to apply for this role please visit UCL’s online recruitment portal and search using vacancy reference B02-05221.

About you

You will have, or be about to obtain, a PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g., biomedical research) and experience with iPSC culture. Experience with high throughput/high content screening is essential.

Experience with iPSC-neuron culture and differentiation and MSD and/or luciferase assays 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

Starting salary offered at £39,508 per annum.

Appointment as Research Fellow is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be as Research Assistant (salary £35,702 – £37,548 per annum) with appointment as Research Fellow being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

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

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.