Research Assistant

About us

The mission of the UCL GOS Institute of Child Health is to maximise and advocate for the holistic health of all children, young people and the adults they will become, through world-class research, education and public engagement. The UCL GOS ICH, together with its clinical partner Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, forms the largest concentration of children’s health research outside North America. The 2024-29 GOS ICH strategy focuses on its five scientific programmes. GOS ICH’s activities include active engagement with children and families, to ensure that our work is relevant and appropriate to their needs. The Institute offers world-class education and training across a wide range of teaching and life learning programmes which address the needs of students and professional groups who are interested in and undertaking work relevant to child health. GOS ICH holds an Athena SWAN Charter Gold Award.

About the role

Applications are invited for an experienced research assistant (RA) position in the Tuschl Lab at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), University College London, funded through Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. The focus of the grant is to determine whether mRNA therapy can rescue a rare disorder of childhood characterised by manganese overload in the brain causing a disabling movement disorder (hypermanganesaemia with dystonia 1, Tuschl et al., AJHG, 2012). This proof-of-concept study will utilise cell and mouse models that mirror the human phenotype. The successful applicant will assist the lab with husbandry maintenance, working on a daily basis with mice. The RA will provide technical support and assist with experimental procedures and analysis of results. The key methodologies that will be applied include molecular biology approaches (DNA/RNA extraction, genotyping PCR, qPCR), Western blot, immunohistochemistry and be havioural analysis. This is a collaborative project with Prof Ahad Rahim (UCL School of Pharmacy, SOP) and Dr Julien Baruteau (UCL GOS ICH) who both lead translational work for neurometabolic disorders. The research assistant will work closely with the collaborating groups across both UCL GOS ICH and SOP. The post is available from 1 December 2024 for 12 months. For more information about the role, please contact Dr Karin Tuschl (; http://zebrafishucl.org/tuschl).

About you

We are seeking applicants with prior experience in molecular biology and rodent or other animal work. Experience in immunohistochemistry and imaging analysis would be beneficial. A strong interest in translational neuroscience and commitment for highest quality research under the direction of the Principal Investigator is expected.

What we offer:

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusi on

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. If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Madhur Sharma  on ich.hr@ucl.ac.uk.

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