Vacancies

About the role

Launched in 2017, the UK DRI stands as a beacon of scientific innovation, representing an unprecedented £300 million investment in dementia research—the largest of its kind in UK history. The purpose of the UK DRI is to transform the outlook for people living with or at risk of neurodegenerative conditions through research.

Applications are invited for a Research Associate in oligodendrocyte and neuroimmune epigenomics to join the lab of Dr Alexi Nott (https://nottgroup.com/index.html) in the UK DRI at Imperial.

Following a new collaborative UK DRI Key Questions Award with Dr Sarah Marzi (King’s), Dr Rikesh Rajani (Edinburgh), and Dr Dervis Salih (UCL), we are seeking to appoint a dynamic postdoctoral researcher to lead one or more projects to characterise the epigenome of oligodendrocytes and neuroimmune cell types in early Alzheimer’s and resilience to dementia using patient-derived samples.  This post is funded for three years: the first 1.5 years based at Imperial on the White City Campus under the guidance of Dr Alexi Nott, where you will profile the epigenome of brain-derived oligodendrocytes and neuroimmune cell types. The second phase of the project will be in the lab of Dr Sarah Marzi, at the Denmark Hill Campus of King’s College London, to examine the epigenome of macroglia at single-cell resolution. You will contribute to the design and generation of large-scale ‘omics datasets with a primary focus on epigenomic analysis at cell-type-enriched and single-nuclei resolution to address major research questions relevant to Alzheimer’s and resilience to dementia.

Please contact Dr Alexi Nott for further discussion about the project and role.

What you would be doing

Using your experience in (epi)genomics of the brain, you will:

• Generate cell-type-enriched and single-nuclei CUT&Tag data from patient-derived brain tissue and stem cell model systems.
• Work collaboratively as part of a multi-site, multidisciplinary research team.

What we are looking for

We are seeking a motivated and organised researchers who is excited by the science we do! You will have:

• Experience in nuclei isolation, preferably from brain and/or human tissue
• Experience of fluorescence-activated nuclei sorting (FANS), and/or FACS
• Experience in epigenomics and/or single-cell genomic technologies.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our Translational Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA) Research Lab at the BHF-UK DRI Centre for Vascular Dementia Research. This role is ideal for someone with a strong technical and computational and background who is passionate about applying advanced data analysis to complex biological systems.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will be performing in vivo optical microscopy experiments in rodent models. You will play a central role in developing and implementing computational approaches for the acquisition and analysis of high-resolution optical imaging data. Working with state-of-the-art in vivo two-photon microscopy datasets, you will design analysis pipelines, develop code, and extract meaningful insights from large, multidimensional imaging datasets. Your work will directly contribute to understanding the mechanisms underlying CAA and vascular dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease.

Alongside your computational focus, you will contribute to experimental workflows, including in vivo imaging studies and ex vivo tissue analysis, ensuring strong integration between data acquisition and analysis. This is a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, where you will work closely with experimental researchers while leading on computational strategy and innovation. 

We are looking for someone with strong programming skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB), experience in image processing and analysis, and the ability to handle complex datasets with precision and creativity. A proactive mindset, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for developing new computational methods are essential.

We are committed to supporting your development. As part of the BHF-UK DRI Centre for Vascular Dementia Research, you will be embedded in a world-class research environment with access to cutting-edge technologies and opportunities to expand your computational and scientific expertise.

This is a full-time (35 hours per week) and 100% on campus.

About us:
The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative supporting research to fill the major knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause dementia.

UCL’s strength in combining excellent clinical and basic neuroscience research to advance our understanding of neurodegeneration and identify novel targets and therapeutic approaches for dementia resulted in its selection as the hub of the UK DRI. 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.

About the role:
The Centre Manager is a critical role within the UK DRI at UCL, responsible for financial administration, research management, and staffing within the Centre. You will oversee the administrative support function for the Centre to enable its scientific mission and support the Centre Director to deliver on the Centre’s strategic objectives, ensuring the delivery of operational efficiency and financial sustainability. You will liaise with several key internal and external stakeholders, and work closely with the Centre’s Laboratory Manager and technical support team, as well as the Institute of Neurology Manager and Professional Services team, UK DRI Research Operations Division Team, and the other UK DRI Centre Managers.
The role is available from immediately and funded by the UK DRI until 31 March 2028 in the first instance.
This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 60% of time on site.

About You:
You’ll have previously worked at management level within a large, complex organisation and have extensive experience with university finance systems, research grants, and staff recruitment. Experience of managing the operational delivery of research programmes or facilities, strong communication skills, high-level numeracy skills, and proven influencing and problem-solving skills. Experience of working in a lab-based research environment and of line managing a team are desirable.

Based at our office in London, we are looking for an experienced Head of Science Portfolio to advance UK DRI's scientific mission towards impact for people living with, and those at risk of neurodegenerative conditions.

The role holder will have an excellent understanding of the research ecosystem, identifying opportunities for growth and innovation, and facilitating strategic partnerships both within the UK and internationally. They will line manage the science team and will act as a key interface between researchers, the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and external stakeholders.

About You

We are looking for someone who'll have:

• The ability to develop and implement long-term research strategies, whilst managing the short and medium term.
• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills
• Excellent relationship skills including the ability to build strong collaborative working relationships
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage priorities
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to understand and communicate complex terminology to lay audiences and drafting clear and concise documents
• Discretion and ability to deal with sensitive and confidential information professionally
• A high degree of attention to detail to ensure accuracy of information.
• A solution focused mindset and ability to implement effective strategies, systems and procedures to drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to evaluate information quickly to identify key issues and opportunities
• Ability to thrive in a changeable environment whilst meeting deadlines.
• Good knowledge of peer review funding processes

• Good knowledge of the research ecosystem and stakeholders.

   

  You'll also have relevant experience in:

• Scientific discipline (e.g., biomedical sciences, neuroscience, or related fields), or other relevant experience
• Research strategy, management and scientific leadership
• Positively and proactively managing multiple projects and key relationships
• Line management
• Working with cross-functional teams.
• Representing an organisation at external committees, conferences, or working groups.
• Experience in respecting the research undertaken and the sensitivities/confidentiality required when working with external partners

About the role:

Dr Sarah Marzi https://ukdri.ac.uk/team/sarah-marzi) is seeking to appoint a Research Associate. Her research programme aims to determine the role of epigenetic regulation in neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, using state of the art epigenetic and genomic techniques in cell populations and at the single cell level. We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on epigenetic and transcriptional profiling of toxicant exposures and Parkinson’s in cell and animal models as well as postmortem human brain tissue.

The successful candidate should have laboratory experience in epigenetics techniques, particularly chromatin profiling. Prior experience in single cell genomics approaches is essential. You will be a dynamic, creative, and motivated scientist interested in pursuing questions deeply. With strong molecular biology experience of genomic/epigenomic approaches, you will use a range of methods for cell and brain tissue analyses including next generation RNA sequencing, ChIP sequencing and CUT&Tag (or equivalent) and ATAC sequencing methods, and particularly 10X single cell multiome profiling.

The Marzi Lab is highly collaborative. You will join a multidisciplinary team on the Denmark Hill Campus with a leading role in:

• Designing and performing experiments
• Developing technical advances
• Performing data analysis
• Presenting the results
• Writing up manuscripts to be submitted to peer-review journals

About you:

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. Hold a PhD in Molecular Biology, Neuroscience or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience
2. Practical experience within a research environment and publication in relevant and refereed journals and ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature
3. Knowledge of gene regulation and chromatin biology, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.
4. Practical experience in a broad range of standard laboratory techniques including light microscopy and molecular biology (e.g., immunofluorescence on brain tissue, cloning, qPCR, cell culture
5. Practical experience single cell or single nuclear genomics methods, including experience with dissociation protocols from low input material
6. Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication
7. Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative
8. Practical experience with epigenetic assays, including any of the following:
   1. ChIP-seq
   2. ATAC-seq
   3. CUT&Tag

Desirable criteria

1. Experience working with bio-banked tissue
2. Familiarity with neuroanatomy and/or immunology
3. Knowledge of Parkinson’s disease genetics and neurobiology 

Based at our office in London, we are looking for an experienced Board and Executive Operations Manager to provide first class operational and board level support including main board and executive meeting administration, governance management, and CEO support.

About You

We are looking for someone who'll have:

• Demonstrable high degree of initiative and drive to get things done in a professional manner identifying key issues and opportunities

• The ability to build good collaborative working relationships at all levels of the organisation and third party suppliers influencing and adapting styles to individuals

• Excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to communicate effectively to colleagues and guests

• The ability to deal with sensitive and confidential information professionally as well as an understanding of when to escalate issues so that they are handled appropriately within the agreed policies and procedures

• Good attention to detail to ensure accuracy of information

• The ability to work autonomously, pro-actively and be self-motivated

• Excellent problem-solving skills and use of solutions focused approaches to drive continuous improvement

• The ability to thrive in a changeable environment, whilst maintaining good attention to detail while meeting deadlines

You'll also have relevant experience in:

• Business administration with evidence of ongoing learning and upskilling within operational, risk and governance

• Supporting senior management in their day-to-day activities

• Conflict management and business negotiation processes

• The use of project and business management tools including Salesforce

• To conduct research with expertise in one or more of the following: in vivo imaging, brain slice electrophysiology, behavioural analyses, molecular genetics, viral vector design, molecular biology, proteomics or bioinformatics.
• Contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
• To participate in School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects
• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world