Research Fellow: (Company Name - Subscribers only)

About us

The mission of the Department of Neuroinflammation is to transform the lives of people living with diseases underpinned by neuroinflammation, including multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease, for the better, by identifying, understanding, and correcting or preventing the underlying mechanisms.

Professor Jennifer Pocock’s research focuses on understanding how microglia behave in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory conditions, such as AD and MS, and how this behaviour impacts on other cells in the brain, including neurons and astrocytes.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow to carry out research and facilitate a new UCL ION collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo, Japan, and inform collaborators on the methods used and results generated.

You will initially help set up a number of assays with a visiting member of the Daiichi Sankyo group to facilitate our new collaboration. At the same time, you will carry out research to investigate the properties of novel and known small molecules using human iPSC-derived microglia, progressing to co-cultures to include neurons and astrocytes.

The post is available from 01 October 2024 and funded by Daiichi Sankyo for two years in the first instance.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team ( ).

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Professor Jennifer Pocock ( ).

A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below.

About you

You will hold a PhD in an area of neuroscience or a related discipline such as biochemistry, cell biology, or molecular biology and be adept at collaborating with other academic or industrial partners.

Experience of using human iPSC models, microglia in culture, and modern cellular and molecular methods to probe cell function is essential as are cell culture skills.

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 £42,099 – £43,205 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

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 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 .

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 for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an , 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.

Available documents