Vacancies

We offer an exciting opportunity to work independently on a high impact, state-of-the-art project in a cutting-edge research laboratory at the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL. We are seeking an exceptional individual to lead a innovative research programme aimed at understanding - and ultimately reversing - neuronal and circuit dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease. The focus will be on linking early, cell-type-specific molecular alterations to large-scaleneural circuit impairments in mouse models, and on testing gene-therapeutic approaches to restore normal function. 

The project will utilise advanced techniques such as in vivo two-photon calcium imaging and/or Neuropixels electrophysiology to record neuronal activity across large populations of cells. A variety of experimental and analytical approaches will be applied to interrogate the mechanisms of dysfunction and evaluate novel therapeutic interventions.

The post is available from 01 July 2025 and funded by the UK DRI until 30 April 2027 in the first instance.

Applications are invited for a Centre Coordinator for the UK Dementia Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

The mission of the UK DRI at the University of Cambridge, led by Professor Mina Ryten, is to create a collaborative, inter-disciplinary Centre that combines world-leading expertise across cell biology, chemistry, transcriptomics and genetics to understand the mechanisms driving neurodegeneration.

The overall purpose of the role is to develop, maintain and deliver administrative polices and processes for the UK Dementia Research Institute in Cambridge to ensure the smooth running of its research activities, and its integration with both the wider UK Dementia Research Institute and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences of the University of Cambridge. This will involve meeting coordination at the centre level, event planning for the centre and group leaders, financial processing/assistance for the Centre manager, organisation of travel arrangements, and general administrative duties essential to the smooth operation of the centre.

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the other UK DRI Centres, supporting the Centre Manager and Laboratory Supervisor as needed, as well as the Department of Clinical Neurosciences (University of Cambridge). The role requires a proactive approach, the ability to work independently under pressure, and particularly strong organisational skills.

We are looking to appoint a Research Assistant in Neurodegeneration in Dr Mallach’s research group focussing on understanding glial interactions during dementia development in neurodegeneration. Funded by ARUK, you will lead a project characterising the interactions of different cell types in human postmortem brain tissue. You will also develop workflows to analyse the generated images.

_{What you would be doing}

You will use immunohistochemistry techniques and confocal microscopy to study the interaction of cells and proteins in human postmortem brain tissue. You will analyse the images using

_{What we are looking for}

You will be highly motivated with demonstrable experience in staining and microscopy

You will be responsible for the analysis of the acquired images

The Opportunity:

To contribute to innovative research understanding the role of neuro-glial cross talk in motor neuron disease using human stem cell organoid models in a multidisciplinary research group (Dr Selvaraj / Prof Chandran) within the UK Dementia Research Institute, planning and conducting experiments, analysing and interpreting data. To take a lead in the dissemination of own findings via academic publications and presentations, as well as involving and engaging the public.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and is based on-campus. T

Your skills and attributes for success:

• PhD in translational neuroscience (completed or submitted with viva examination imminent). 
• Essential - expertise in relevant approaches and models, analytical techniques and methods, cell culture, molecular biology, proteomics and lipidomics.
• Desirable - experience in human stem cell derived organoids, transcriptomics, genetics.
• Experience in writing and publishing research papers in high-quality journals.
• Experience presenting own results at internal and external meetings. 

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Bhuvaneish Selvaraj.

_{About the role}

We are seeking a skilled Project Manager to support the strategic coordination and reporting on the ARIA (Advanced Research and Invention Agency) Project, under the direction of Dr Nir Grossman.

_{What you would be doing}

The post-holder will be responsible for overall financial, contractual and operational project management of the ARIA project, including all its collaborative projects; thus ensuring the ARIA project is delivered on time, on budget and complies with all relevant research and information governance regulations. A key responsibility is the management of all the finances for the project and creating quarterly reports for budgetary spend, including forecast reports to the funder.

Working closely with the Project PI and the departmental administrative team, you will lead on the coordination and submission of timely reports to funders and stakeholders, ensuring all deadlines are met. As a strong organiser and administrator, you will have scope to plan and prioritise your workload to meet essential deadlines and proactively manage the responsibilities of the role.

_{What we are looking for}

The postholder will be responsible for the effective and efficient day-to-day management and organisation.  Key responsibilities will include, but not limited to:

• Being flexible and proactive in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to consider both short- and long-term process improvements and service provision.
• Navigating a complex financial award involving multiple funded partners.
• Possessing a thorough understanding of the College's financial and human resource management systems, relevant to grant and payroll administration.
• Ensuring robust financial control throughout the ARIA Project and all its sub- and collaborative projects, including managing budgets for research grants, contracts, and general non-staff expenditure.
• Supporting the implementation of new systems introduced by the College/Faculty, in conjunction with the Departmental Management Team, related to research services, HR, and Finance.
• Assisting the PI, in consultation with the Research Office, in maximising income from research grants and contracts, including advising on preparing the financial elements of grant applications and management of grants/contracts awarded. Including regularly reviewing expenditure and advising project leads of problems, recommending an appropriate course of action which may involve liaising with administrative and senior staff from the grant-giving body.
• Managing sub-projects within the ARIA Project under Dr Grossman's leadership, to ensure timely delivery, budget adherence, and compliance with all relevant clinical, research, and governance regulations

The Research Departments of Neurodegenerative Disease and the UK Dementia Research at UCL are internationally recognised leaders in the study of a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases, including those leading to dementia and neuroinflammation. We have a strong focus on mechanistic dissection of genetic, molecular cellular and neuropathological processes which underlie across the neurodegeneration spectrum.

The laboratory of Dr Salih is dedicated to investigating the interplay between the immune system and cognitive function in the ageing brain focusing on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. We study genetic variation in the human population and their effects on neurodegenerative diseases using techniques such as GWAS, transcriptomics, and epigenetics. Our interdisciplinary approach integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and advanced genomic methods to advance our understanding and treatment of dementia and age-related disorders.

About the role

We are seeking a Research Fellow to join a dynamic team that employs cutting-edge models - including iPSC-based cell biology, screening, biochemistry, genomics, imaging, and bioinformatics - to uncover new mechanistic insights into genes with variants associated with ageing and neurological function.

The overarching goal of the project is to systematically characterise the glial-specific functions of newly identified longevity-associated genes recently published by the Salih lab (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae339) - in models of ageing and Alzheimer’s disease-associated toxicity, and thus to identify which of these genes are most promising for future therapeutic targeting in neurodegenerative diseases.

You will be responsible for planning, execution and report of experiments and contribution to the formulation and submission of research publications as well as management and direction of this challenging project as opportunities allow.

The post is available from 01 August 2025 and is funded by a grant from the Medical Research Council to 31 July 2028 in the first instance.

Other positions

Astrocyte ageing & Bioinformatics (Fiona Kee, ENU) - 24 June - link

Drosophila models of neurodegeneration (Nathan Woodling, University of Glasgow) - 25th June - link

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Research Technician to join our laboratory as part of an ongoing research initiative focused on understanding the interactions between neurons and glia in Alzheimer’s disease.

You will be part of a team whose primary research goal is to elucidate the cellular responses that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. As the main point of contact between the Crick’s Biological Research Facility and the lab’s research staff, you will coordinate closely with team members to establish and manage study plans involving animal models.

This role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic, international research environment, contributing to world-class science under the leadership of a renowned expert in Alzheimer’s biology.

The post is available from August 2025 and is funded by the UK DRI for two years in the first instance.

About you

You’ll have a Personal Licence, with experience in maintaining transgenic mouse lines and using animal-based project tracking software (e.g., MCMS, PyRAT, or equivalent), as well as experience with basic rodent handling and administration.

Experience of working in a research laboratory environment and a proven ability to communicate and collaborate professionally and effectively with a wide range of individuals is also essential for this role.

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.

We are seeking a Research Technician to contribute to a project involving the analysis of human post-mortem brain tissue and various cell culture models, including iPSC-derived and primary human neurons, as well as structural in vitro assays using recombinant protein. Both native brain tissue and in vitro models will be used to study α-synuclein fibrils across different synucleinopathies.

In vitro aggregation assays, electron microscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) will be employed to elucidate context-dependent protein folding. You will provide support with histopathology techniques, biochemical analyses such as crosslinking and Western blotting, cell culture, and protein expression and purification.

You will have an Honours degree (minimum 2:1) or equivalent in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or a related discipline, and experience with iPSC culture and neuronal differentiation.

A background and knowledge in one or more of the following is essential: Neurodegeneration, synucleinopathies, biochemical analysis, such as detergent extraction and Western Blot, cell culture experience, IHC.

Experience of working with Biophysics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Histology assays is also a requirement, as is an understanding of the mission of the UK DRI, an interest in its research work and a commitment to supporting high quality research.

_{What you would be doing}

We are developing new methods for profiling the binding of transcription factors to DNA.  We need these methods to work at single cell resolution which is requiring us to push the limits of existing microfluidics capabilities. You will be responsible for developing, testing and implementing novel protocols towards this goal.  The Neurogenomics Lab is exploiting these technologies to enable genome function to be understood in disease relevant cell types. This is being done with a view towards commercialisation so would suit a highly motivated tech minded scientist with an engineering approach to molecular biology.

Working in state-of-the-art laboratories on Imperial’s newest campus for innovation in the heart of the west London tech corridor, the research group of Dr Nathan Skene in the UK DRI at Imperial seeks to identify regulatory mechanisms which cause neurodegenerative disorders, along with the cell types in which they act, and determine whether inhibition or activation of the pathway is associated with increased disease risk. Dr Skene’s research focuses on answering simple questions about brain diseases, through the analysis of epigenomic and genetic datasets. A major question of our group is identifying which cell types carry the most genetic load for brain disorders, by linking GWAS data to epigenomic data obtained using single cell methods.  This research area is evolving rapidly.  You will be given opportunities to train in new methods, develop new competencies relevant to the specific aims set and address major questions of importance for Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative conditions.

_{What we are looking for}

• Development of novel methods for single cell genomics, using customisable microfluidic platforms
• Experience with general molecular biology and cellular genomics methods
• Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team
• Demonstrate an aptitude for an organised, methodical approach to your work

We are looking for a post-doctoral research associate to join the Dr Gaynor Smith Lab in the School of Medicine and UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University.

In this role, you will:
•    To conduct research on an Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK)-funded research project to assess the contribution of Late Onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) risk genes in both Drosophila and human iPSC-derived neurons.
•    Use state of the art in vitro and in vivo model systems to explore role LOAD risk genes in mitochondria dysfunction, metabolism and pathology in ageing neurons. 
•    You will have opportunities to develop your research skills, collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of researchers working in translational neuroscience, develop skills in data analysis, manuscript preparation and presentation at research meetings.

We’d like to hear from you if you:
•    are an enthusiastic and ambitious PDRA candidate with a drive to work in neuroscience, dementia and neurodegeneration-focused research; 
•    are excited to join a collaborative project, and contribute to the wider objectives of a translational research team;
•    have research experience working in Drosophila genetics and/or iPSC neuron culture, confocal microscopy and/or post-mortem human tissue and molecular biology/biochemistry, with a research interest in Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegenerative disease and/or cellular metabolism.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1 June 2025 and fixed term until 31 May 2028.