​UK DRI at UCL

Research at the UK DRI at UCL covers the journey from the person living with dementia to the laboratory and back again - with improved diagnosis and potential therapies put to the test.

• Specialisms at UCL
• Mechanistic understanding of dysfunction in cells and neural systems
• Gene expression and biological pathways in single cells related to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease
• New biomarkers to monitor disease progression
• Deficits in axonal transport in early neurodegeneration
• Wnt signalling in synapses to discover new targets for future dementia therapies

• Read more about UCL

  From lab bench to bedside, and back again 

  UCL was selected as the hub of the UK DRI in 2016 because of its strength to bring together excellent clinical and basic neuroscience research to advance our understanding of neurodegeneration and identify novel targets and therapeutic approaches for dementia. As the hub, it has a larger research programme and also is the location for the national headquarters team who connect the whole institute together.

  Research at the UK DRI at UCL covers the journey from the person living with dementia to the laboratory and back again - with improved diagnosis and potential therapies put to the test. The groups believe in intervening earlier in disease in order to change the trajectory.

  We need to better understand the diversity and complexity of neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's disease, in order to understand the mechanisms involved, and ultimately how we can alter them to improve people's lives.

  We must find treatments quicker, and that's why the UK DRI at UCL is taking a novel approach by integrating diverse expertise for efficiency, from genetics to diagnostics.

  This work is enhanced by incredible clinical resources. Researchers have access to unique clinical cohorts, where comprehensive data has been collected throughout disease progression including memory assessments and brain tissue. The UK DRI at UCL provides a clinical arm to the whole of the UK DRI.

  The future iconic home of the UK DRI at UCL will be alongside UCL's Queen Square Institute of Neurology in a new building on Gray's Inn Road.

  Visit the UK DRI at UCL local website for up-to-date news.

Apply for latest jobs at UCL

• PhD Studentship, Alzheimer's Disease in Down Syndrome, UK DRI at UCL - Wiseman Lab

  The Wiseman research group at the UK DRI at UCL are looking for a PhD student to join an Alzheimer’s Society funded project to understand how Alzheimer’s disease associated neuroinflammation is altered in Down Syndrome. This is a fully funded PhD studentship commencing 28 September 2020. You will build hypotheses, design experiments and generate and analyse data to understand the early development of dementia in people with Down Syndrome, with a specific focus on neuroinflammation and changes to microglial biology; using both animal models and studies using human post-mortem brain material. You’ll interact and collaborate with other members of the Wiseman research group, the UK DRI and the wider national and international research communities to facilitate research breakthroughs in the areas of Trisomy21 and Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, you will benefit from the advice and support of Alzheimer’s Society Network volunteers. We are looking for a creative and proactive thinker who has an interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms that cause dementia in the context of Down syndrome. An interest in neuroscience and an undergraduate degree in the Life Sciences (2.1 or above) are required. Closing date: 7 February

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• Data Research Assistant, UK DRI at UCL - De Strooper Lab

  The De Strooper lab, based in the UK DRI at UCL, is now seeking an enthusiastic and motivated data management and high-performance computing specialist to join the team. Researchers in the De Strooper lab deal with large amounts of complex data that need to be processed, analysed, stored, and visualised. Your job will be close to the (data) heart of the lab; you will handle and guide this dataflow by ensuring that analysis on local and HPC hardware goes smoothly, software is installed, data is backed up and can be easily retrieved. An exciting aspect of this position will revolve around presentation and visualisation of data in interactive web applications, both for internal and external purposes. Data is critical to the mission of the UK DRI and you will play an important role in our lab’s effort towards a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. You’ll have software or website development experience in Python and be able to work with high performance and cloud computing, including workflow development and data management, organisation and analysis. You’ll have experience of Linux system administration, strong problem-solving abilities, a good understanding of the mission of the UK DRI and great interpersonal and relationship building skills in a research context. Knowledge of or interest in bioinformatics, genomics or transcriptomics would be desirable, as would a working knowledge of statistics and the R language. Ref: 1848021, Closing date: 5 January

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• Research Fellow, UK DRI at UCL - Sala Frigerio Lab

  The UK DRI at UCL is looking for a highly motivated and qualified Research Fellow to join the Sala Frigerio research group. The post holder will analyse human brain tissue using single cell (RNA and DNA) sequencing and spatially-resolved transcriptomic methods. You will be responsible for the design and analysis of single cell sequencing experiments, and for the development and implementation of new sequencing methods. The successful candidate will have a PhD in an appropriate discipline (e.g. Neurobiology, Genetics, Bioinformatics, Computational biology). Applicants must have experience in analysing next generation and single cell (RNA and DNA) sequencing data and knowledge of scientific programming (R, Python and Unix). Experience in single cell (RNA and DNA) library preparation methods and long read sequencing (Nanopore and/or PacBio) library preparation and data analysis is desirable. Ref: 1848114, Closing date: 10 December

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• Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow, UK DRI at UCL - Busche Lab

  The UK DRI at UCL is looking for a highly motivated and qualified Research Fellow or Senior Research Fellow to join Dr Marc Busche's lab (buschelab.com), which employs molecular, optical, electrophysiological and behavioural methods to reveal the cellular and circuit determinants of the devastating learning and memory impairments observed in individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and related dementing illnesses. The post holder will work independently on a high impact, state-of-the-art project in a stimulating and social international research environment, undertaking world-class science under the guidance of a leader in Alzheimer’s pathophysiology. The successful candidate will have (or be working towards) a PhD or equivalent in Neuroscience or a neuroscience-related or quantitative discipline. Applicants must have experience with in vivo patch-clamp electrophysiology and/or two-photon microscopy in rodent brains, a strong statistical analysis background, and programming and coding ability (e.g., MATLAB, Python), especially with regards to analysing the electrophysiological and imaging data. Applicants who are motivated to develop careers as independent investigators are especially encouraged to apply. Ref: 1844237, Closing date: 18 December

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• UK DRI Group Leader (Senior/Principal Fellow) in dementia and neurodegeneration at UCL

  The UK DRI at UCL are looking to appoint a new Group Leader (Senior/Principal Fellow), who will lead an internationally competitive research programme, relevant to the area of neurodegeneration, with the ultimate aim of improving human health. You will receive extensive support from the UK DRI, including up to £1.5 million start-up funding over a five-year period, appointment based on the MRC tenure-track route, access to shared equipment and technology across a national institute and membership of a community of world-leading scientists. You are also entitled to the full range of UCL staff benefits and development opportunities. You will have substantial postdoctoral experience, a proven track record of internationally competitive scientific research relevant to the UK DRI and a commitment to, appreciation and understanding of the mission of the UK DRI. You’ll be experienced in planning and developing projects or programmes of research and have a wide knowledge of techniques and methodologies related to research in neurodegeneration. You’ll propose an exciting and innovative programme of research that demonstrably interfaces and compliments the UK DRI’s current portfolio and science strategy, and evidence that you have the potential to lead, inspire and develop a research group into an excellent team. Rolling deadline.

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