Research Fellow

About us

We are one of the world’s leading research centres for the study of prions and their wider relevance to neurodegenerative disease with a growing research activity in Alzheimer’s disease (www.prion.ucl.ac.uk).

The Institute is highly multidisciplinary with close integration of structural and molecular biology, genetics, cellular and animal models, small molecule and immuno-therapeutics and clinical research.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow to join our team.

Following an initial training period you will undertake research to investigate the composition and three dimensional structures of infectious prion strains. The existence of prion strains constitutes protein-based inheritance and the structural basis of this is of wide biological and evolutionary interest. In addition, understanding how certain assemblies of misfolded proteins can act like pathogens spreading throughout the brain is a major research focus in neurodegeneration. EM work is in collaboration with Professor Helen Saibil FRS at Birkbeck College London, an internationally renowned expert in electron microscopy of protein assemblies and access to EM facilities at Birkbeck will be provided as well as full time access to a dedicated EM at the Prion Unit.

An acceptable DBS check is required to carry out this role

This is a fixed-term role until 31st March 2028 in the first instance.

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.

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.’

About you

A background in negative stain and cryo-electron microscopy and protein structural biology is essential.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required to communicate research findings in peer reviewed journals and scientific presentations.

Experience of working in microbiological containment level 3 facilities would be an advantage.

The post-holder will work closely with existing staff at UCL and Birkbeck College but must have the ability to work independently.

Additional Information:

• A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits; visit 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. 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.

Athena Swan Status Statement

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.

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