Research Fellow (UCL)

6 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

UK Dementia Research Institute

Research Field

Neurosciences

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

United Kingdom

Application Deadline

15 Feb 2024 - 17:00 (Europe/London)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37.5

Offer Starting Date

11 Mar 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

B02-06420

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Dementia is the greatest health challenge of our century.

 

To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it.

 

The UK Dementia Research Institute  (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative supporting research to fill the major knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause dementia.

 

Research from UK DRI at UCL covers the journey from the patient to the laboratory and back to the patient with improved diagnosis, biomarkers and candidate therapies put to the test. Led by Professor Karen Duff, UK DRI Centre Director, the team addresses the key unanswered mechanistic questions that link genetic and lifecourse factors to dysfunction in molecular pathways, in cells and in neural systems during the progression of the dementias. This work will be enhanced by clinical resource to link lab work to the clinic.

 

The main interest of the Fluid Biomarker Laboratory is fluid biomarkers pertaining to neurodegenerative diseases and their measurement. We have a suite of immunoassay platforms and the expertise to advise our collaborators what biomarkers they should be looking at and how. We also take on new assay development projects – using homebrew to make previously unavailable assays on super-sensitive platforms.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow to join our lab. We have been working with Quanterix, the company that introduced ultrasensitive Single molecule array (Simoa) technology into the immunoassay arena, to validate an upgraded version of this technology, which has the potential to be up to 100x more sensitive than the original technology (Kan et al., 2020). Having been working with this instrument since July 2021, we will use this to develop and validate assays for AβpE3-40 and AβpE3-42, as well as isomerised forms of Aβ if possible.

You will evaluate optimal antibody combinations for both pyroGlu Abeta 40 and 42, develop calibrators with good solubility and construct an assay with good signal

Requirements

Research Field

Neurosciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

You will have a PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g., biomedical research) and experience with, and knowledge of, biomarkers, as well as an interest in neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases. Experience of ELISA and immunoassay techniques is also required for this role.

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.

Additional Information
Benefits

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 £37,332 - £39,980 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 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 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.

 

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

 

The Institute prides itself on operating in an all-inclusive environment irrespective of personal, physical, or social characteristics. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and we are committed to advancing the careers of everyone. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives; visit our EDI website  for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an Athena SWAN Silver award , in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.

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. 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+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

UK DRI at UCL

Country

United Kingdom

City

London

Postal Code

WC1E 6BT

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs/details?jobId=19916&jobTitle=…

Contact

City

London

Website

https://ukdri.ac.uk/

Street

6th Floor, UCL Maple House, Tottenham Court Road

Postal Code

W1T 7NF

STATUS: EXPIRED