Current Vacancies
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Key details
- Location UK DRI at King's
- Salary: £45,031 - £52,514 per annum
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
- Hold a PhD in Molecular Biology, Neuroscience or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience
- Practical experience within a research environment and publication in relevant and refereed journals and ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature
- Knowledge of gene regulation and chromatin biology, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.
- 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
- Practical experience single cell or single nuclear genomics methods, including experience with dissociation protocols from low input material
- Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication
- Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative
- Practical experience with epigenetic assays, including any of the following:
- ChIP-seq
- ATAC-seq
- CUT&Tag
Desirable criteria
- Experience working with bio-banked tissue
- Familiarity with neuroanatomy and/or immunology
- Knowledge of Parkinson’s disease genetics and neurobiology
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Key details
- Location: London/Hybrid
- Salary: £50,000 - £60,000
- Deadline: 21 June 2026
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
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Key details
- Location: UK DRI at Cardiff
- Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum
About us:
The Baljit Khakh Laboratory is relocating from the University of California Los Angeles to the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at Cardiff and is seeking to appoint a number of Research Associates to join a newly established and ambitious research programme investigating the roles of astrocytes in brain function and dementia.
Professor Baljit S. Khakh, internationally recognized for discoveries in astrocyte physiology and neuron–glia signalling, is launching his new research programme at UK DRI Cardiff University in summer 2026. The lab will integrate molecular genetics, advanced imaging, electrophysiology, and translational neuroscience to explore fundamental neuroscience mechanisms and uncover how astrocyte dysfunction contributes to the onset and progression of dementia.
This is a new opportunity to join a leading neuroscience lab at one of the UK’s most vibrant and collaborative research hubs. The group will explore how astrocytes shape neural circuit activity, cognition, and neurodegeneration — with the goal of identifying new mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for dementia and related disorders. The laboratory will be housed in state-of-the-art research facilities within the Hadyn Ellis Building.
What you would be doing
To conduct research within the laboratory, integrating molecular genetics, advanced imaging, electrophysiology, and translational neuroscience to uncover how astrocyte dysfunction contributes to the onset and progression of dementia and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same. The posts are full time, require in person attendance and involve extensive experimental work and data analysis.
Duties and Responsibilities
- 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
What we are looking for
Qualifications and Education
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within one or more of the following research fields:
1. Molecular biology
2. RNAseq and data analyses
3. Proteomics and data analyses
4. Electrophysiology in any cellular setting in vivo or in brain slices
5. Calcium imaging in any cellular setting in vivo or in brain slices
6. Glial biology in cell culture or in vivo
7. In vivo approaches
8. Cell culture experience, ideally with stem cell-derived astrocytes
9. Understanding of cellular and molecular neuroscience
3. Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field of neuroscience and glial biology
4. Proven ability to publish in national journals and/or present data at national conferences
5. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies
Communication and Team Working
6. Proven ability in effective and transparent communication
7. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals
Other
8. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
9. Proven ability to work without close supervision -
Key details
- Location UK DRI at King's
- Salary: £45, 031 - £52,514 per annum
- Lab: Prof Jernej Ule
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.
About the role:
Professors Jernej Ule and Benjamin Blencowe are seeking a Research Associate to join a team of researchers working on the Wellcome funded project.
The successful candidate will focus on the design and testing of auto-gating therapeutics in the iNeuron models of neurologic diseases, which will also involve the generation and culture of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, their differentiation into neurons and analyses with transcriptomics and imaging, thus contributing to relevant publications in collaboration with other team members.
Some of the key skills involved include:
- Planning and performing high quality research under co-supervision of Ben Blencowe and Jernej Ule and in collaboration with other team members.
- Preparing figures, summarising the results and playing a leading role in writing the manuscripts to be submitted to peer-review journals.
- Supervision of visiting and rotating students related to the post holder’s work.
- Contributing to the multidisciplinary research strategy of the Centre and department
- Attend, contribute and present at international conferences as well as internal meetings at UK DRI, Departmental and with external collaborators as appropriate.
- Regular interaction with collaborators and coordination of joint work.
- Ensuring the highest standard of record keeping, maintaining accurate, complete, and up to date records.
- Continue professional development, including participation in staff development and review procedures in accordance with King’s guidelines, including annual formal appraisal.
About You:
Essential criteria
- Hold a PhD in Molecular or Cellular Biology, or a closely related discipline.
- Experience with molecular biology of ribonucleoprotein complexes and RNA regulation
- Experience in genome editing techniques.
- Experience with high-throughput sequencing and its analysis.
- Experience in immunostaining, microscopy and image analysis.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and take initiative in problem-solving and experimental troubleshooting.
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills
**** ***Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.
Desirable criteria
- Experience with working with iPSC cells
- Experience with Transcriptomics
- Experience with the studies of protein-RNA condensates
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Key details
- Location: UK DRI at King's
- Students will be fully funded for four years full time, to include home tuition fees, annual stipend and some research and travel costs.
About the Project
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive muscle weakness and paralysis through the loss of motor neurons. A major unresolved question is why motor neurons are so vulnerable. One likely contributor is their extreme cellular architecture: motor neuron axons can extend over very long distances, placing unusual demands on RNA transport, local protein synthesis and axonal maintenance.
Programme:
This PhD project will investigate how RNA granules - dynamic structures that organise RNA transport, translation and stress responses - are altered in ALS-affected human motor neurons, with a particular focus on long axons. Many ALS-linked proteins, including TDP-43 and FUS, are RNA-binding proteins associated with RNA granules, but the full landscape of RNA granules in long human motor axons remains poorly defined.
The student will use human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons carrying ALS-associated changes alongside matched control lines to map the RNA granule landscape in ALS, using imaging and biochemical approaches (including iCLIP and RNAseq). These cells will be grown on the Serio lab’s Long Axon Microarray (LAM) platform, which enables human motor neurons to extend axons over approximately 1 cm while retaining access for imaging and molecular analysis. This system has already revealed ALS-relevant axonal phenotypes that are not detectable in short-axon cultures.
The project will provide training in stem cell culture, motor neuron differentiation, bioengineered long-axon systems, advanced microscopy, RNA biology, transcriptomics and bioinformatic analysis. The student will be embedded in two closely collaborating ALS research groups at King’s and the UK Dementia Research Institute, with access to strong neurodegeneration, imaging and data-analysis expertise. The work aims to identify early, compartment-specific molecular changes in ALS and to reveal candidate pathways that could be targeted to preserve motor neuron axons.
How to apply:
In your application, you will be asked to include:- Academic Transcripts - where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application
- Details of your qualifications - you will need to attach copies
- Details of previous employment - please include your CV
- A personal statement describing your interests and why you wish to apply for this project. Please include this as an attachment rather than using the text box.
- Academic References – all admissions applications require one supporting reference. If the applicant is relying on their referees to submit a reference directly to the College after they have submitted their admissions application, then the applicant must ensure that (1) their chosen referee is made aware of the funding deadline (i.e. 7 days from application deadline) and (2) that the reference needs to be sent from an institutional email address