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

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

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37.5

Offer Starting Date

18 Mar 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

B02-06419

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.

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 Hong lab aims to understand whether, and if so, how neuro-glia-immune mechanisms confer region-specific synapse vulnerability in age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. We aim to elucidate intercellular interactions between immune cells (microglia, perivascular macrophages, T/B-cells), astrocytes, and vulnerable neurons, and how cell-cell neuroimmune crosstalk within and across brain borders can modulate synaptic fate. We employ cutting-edge single-cell and spatial transcriptomic and proteomic tools, super-resolution microscopy imaging techniques and hypothesis-driven mechanistic approaches using various in vitro and in vivo mouse models, hIPSC, and human patient tissues.

 

We are recruiting a Research Fellow to join the Hong lab and study neuro-glia-immune interactions in neurodegeneration. Our lab utilises a variety of cutting-edge tools including single-cell and spatial transcriptomics and proteomics, in vivo cell type-specific manipulation using viral and genetic targeting, super-resolution microscopy, FACS, behavioural testing, and cell biology/primary culture/hIPSC approaches. Approaches for the project will be tailored to the specific questions being asked, but all relevant training will be given and career development is actively encouraged.

 

 

Requirements

Research Field

Neurosciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

You’ll have a PhD (or be due to complete in the next six months), MD, or equivalent experience, and knowledge and experience in performing high quality research in Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Neuroimmunology Biology, or a closely related health field. You’ll have good problem solving abilities, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to execute a programme of experiments through design and improvement stages to data curation and publication. Proficiency in one of the following skills and techniques is also essential: optical imaging, FACS, biochemistry, omics, in vivo rodent surgeries, CRISPR targeting, hIPSC cell culture, fate mapping studies, or bioinformatics.

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.

Additional comments
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=19857&jobTitle=…

Contact

City

London

Website

https://ukdri.ac.uk/

Street

6th Floor, UCL Maple House, Tottenham Court Road

Postal Code

W1T 7NF

STATUS: EXPIRED