Research Technician - two posts London, England
Job description
About us
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 driving forward research to fill this gap.
Tim Bartels first discovered disease resistant forms of the α-synuclein protein and their destabilisation in Parkinson’s Disease. His lab is interested in identifying the different factors that destabilise α-synuclein and that lead to neurotoxicity.
About the role
We’re now offering an exciting opportunity for two individuals to join the lab as Research Technicians to provide experimental support for several ongoing projects.
The research projects will comprise the analysis of human postmortem brain material and various cell culture models including iPSC-derived and primary human neurons as well as structural in vitro assays using recombinant protein. The native brain tissue and the in vitro models will be used to study α-synuclein multimers and lipid composition in different Synucleinopathies. In vitro, aggregation assays, electronmicroscopy, CD spectroscopy and FCS will be used to elucidate context dependent folding.
Technical assistance is required with histopathology techniques, biochemical analysis such as crosslinking and Western Blot, RNA and DNA analysis and cell culture as well as protein expression and purification.
The posts are available from 01 July 2023 and funded by the UK DRI at UCL for one year 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 ([email protected]).
Informal enquiries regarding the roles can be addressed to Tim Bartels ([email protected]).
A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below.
About you
You will have an Honours degree (minimum 2:1) or equivalent in Biophysics/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology or a related discipline, be a good communicator, have strong interpersonal skills, and be a proactive and creative thinker. Prior wet lab experience would be desirable.
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
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.
This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.
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.
