Job Description

Ref Number

B02-09646

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

See advert text

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

Hybrid

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

17-Nov-2025

About us

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This advert can be viewed in BSL here (link to DCAL website).

Join UCL's DCAL - Europe's Leading Centre for Deafness, Cognition & Language Research.

UCL, located in the heart of London's vibrant Bloomsbury, is a world-class, inclusive university and a UK leader in psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience research. This role is based at the renowned Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL), part of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences. DCAL is Europe's largest centre for research into deafness, language, and cognition--a unique, bilingual environment where deaf and hearing researchers collaborate across linguistics, psychology, and neuroscience. Here, you'll explore the origins, development, and processes of language and cognition through the unique lens of deafness. Be part of a welcoming, innovative team at the forefront of discovery.

About the role

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As part of a groundbreaking ERC-funded research project on protactile and tactile British Sign Language (BSL), you will be a key member of the research team helping to coordinate and conduct research with deafblind adults in the UK. Key responsibilities will include organising and conducting focus groups with deafblind adults, recruiting and working closely with participants, managing data collection and analysis across the UK, and assisting with the advisory board. We are looking for someone with a relevant degree, experience working with deaf and/or deafblind adults, and fluency or near-fluency in visual BSL and/or tactile BSL, along with knowledge and awareness of the deaf and deafblind communities. Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary, bilingual team are essential. You will join a supportive, collaborative team at DCAL where we regularly meet for BSL lunches, share ideas in team talks, and work closely together on innovative research.



We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.

This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 40% on site, however there is flexibility depending on accessibility requirements.



This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.



Interview Date(s) are scheduled for: 1st December 2025 and will take place face-to-face. Online interviews can be requested for accessibility reasons.



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 kate.rowley@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 PALS HR at palshr@ucl.ac.uk.



The UCL Ways of Working supports colleagues to be successful and happy at UCL through sharing expectations around how we work - please visit www.ucl.ac.uk/ways-of-working to find out more.



Closing an advert early:


In the event we get a high number of applications, we may close the advert early before the published closing date. As a minimum we will keep all adverts open for 2 weeks. Early application submission is recommended.

Salary is 39,148 per annum (Full Time Equivalent).

About you

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The successful candidate will play a key role in launching and delivering a pioneering research project on protactile and tactile forms of British Sign Language (BSL), ensuring the smooth setup of advisory structures and research protocols. You will be expected to build strong relationships with deafblind participants and stakeholders, lead high-quality data collection and analysis across multiple sites, and contribute to impactful research outputs and public engagement. Success in this role will be measured by your ability to manage project logistics efficiently, maintain meticulous records, and actively support a positive, collaborative team culture. Your work will directly advance our understanding of language and communication in the deafblind community, with particular attention to the potential development of protactile BSL in the UK. There will be opportunities to share findings through publications, presentations, and outreach.

What we offer

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As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan Immigration loan Relocation scheme for certain posts On-Site nursery On-site gym Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-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; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Athena Swan Status Statement


Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.*



You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/