Job Description

Ref Number

B02-09219

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

35,930-41,255

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

On site

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

20-Aug-2025

About us

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This is an exciting opportunity to join The MacAskill lab in the department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, part of the Division of Biosciences at UCL. In the Macaskill lab, we are working to understand how neurons in the brain communicate with each other to allow them to encode emotional behaviours and make decisions. Problems with this communication underlie many neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases, and so our aim is to find novel ways to combat these diseases by gaining a greater understanding of the processes that they destroy.

About the role

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The main purpose of this position is to provide technical and experimental support for a collaborative research project investigating the neural basis of emotion and decision-making in mice. You will join a vibrant and supportive team in the MacAskill Lab (www.macaskilllab.com) in the Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology (NPP) at UCL. The role includes running behavioural experiments in mice, performing stereotaxic surgeries, and contributing to ongoing studies involving whole-brain anatomy, pharmacogenetics, and neural circuit analysis. You will be responsible for technical procedures and day-to-day lab support, including colony management and procurement. This position would suit a highly organised, detail-oriented and collaborative individual with experience in behavioural neuroscience and a proactive, solutions-focused attitude. This role is based at UCL's Bloomsbury Campus and is full tume with a minimum of 80% on site. This role is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of 30 September 2026 in the first instance. This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit UCL Conditions of Service - Research, Teaching and Professional Services for more information. A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page. If you have any queries about the role, please contact Dr Andrew MacAskill at a.macaskill@ucl.ac.uk. If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact the HR Administrator.

About you

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This role requires a motivated and adaptable individual who will play a key part in delivering a neuroscience research programme investigating how the brain processes uncertainty and emotion. You will be expected to lead technical and behavioural procedures, maintain high experimental standards, and help ensure the lab runs smoothly. You must have an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject and prior experience in a rodent behavioural neuroscience setting. A Home Office Personal Licence (PIL) is essential. You will also have experience in rodent behavioural assays including classic pot digging tasks, as well as modern systems neuroscience methods such as pharmacogenetics. Strong organisational and communication skills, familiarity with lab computing (Python desirable), and a team-oriented approach are essential for success in this role.

What we offer

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The UCL Ways of Working supports colleagues to be successful and happy at UCL through sharing expectations around how we work - please https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/policies-advice/ways-working to find out more. As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below: o 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) o Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme o Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) o Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan o Immigration loan o Relocation scheme for certain posts o On-Site nursery o On-site gym o Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay o Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service o Discounted medical insurance Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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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+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our division holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/