Job Description

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Location

Brighton, UK###

Hours

Full-time considered up to a maximum of 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours) Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need).###

Salary

Grade 7 starting at 38,784 to 46,049 per annum, pro rata if part time.###

Contract Type

Fixed Term Contract
About the role



As a Research Fellow, you will join the Baden Lab, a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary neuroscience group within the School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex. Our lab focuses on investigating how neural circuits process visual information and drive behaviour, using diverse vertebrate species as model systems.


In this role, you will contribute to cutting-edge research using scRNA-seq and related techniques to investigate the molecular identity and evolutionary relationships of retinal neurons in early diverging vertebrates. You will design and run experiments, analyse data using Python. You'll be part of a dynamic environment that values open science, collaboration, and innovation.



About you



You will hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in Neuroscience, Biology, or a related field. You'll have experience in scRNA seq. techniques, strong programming skills (preferably Python), and practical experience with vertebrate retinal research. You should be capable of managing multiple research projects, working independently, and contributing to a supportive team environment. A publication record in peer-reviewed journals and excellent communication skills are also essential.


We are particularly interested in applicants with innovative ideas and a keen interest in pushing the boundaries of imaging-based neuroscience research.



About our School



In the School of Life Sciences we strive to understand the mechanisms that drive biological and chemical processes and to develop innovative and diverse approaches to enhance human health, technology and the environment. We undertake multidisciplinary research, teaching and engagement across a wide range of subjects, from Chemistry through Cellular and Molecular Biosciences to Conservation Biology.


The School comprises five Departments: Biochemistry & Biomedicine, Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Neuroscience, Ecology & Evolution and Chemistry. We also house the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre which works to deliver the bench-to-bedside translation of our discoveries. The breadth and depth of our cutting-edge research and innovative teaching practice is delivered by a diverse community who work across boundaries to deliver excellence, engage with real world problems and produce impact.


We pride ourselves on our world-leading research and have a strong research economy, with approximately 50% of our income stemming from research and an active grant portfolio of over 50 million. We host or form part of three University Centres of Excellence: the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Sussex Neuroscience and Sussex Sustainability Research Programme. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 90.6 % of our Biological Sciences outputs and 84.8% of our Chemistry outputs were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. We are proud that in both areas, 100% of our Impact cases were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.


The School is committed to the University's core values of kindness, integrity, inclusion, collaboration and courage. We believe that equality, diversity and inclusion is everyone's responsibility and aim to provide a friendly and supportive environment for all who work, study and visit the School of Life Sciences.



The School of Life Sciences is proud to hold a Silver Athena Swann Award.



Why work here



Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.


Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it's our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.



Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion



Further Key Information



Please contact Madeleine Wells (m.e.wells@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.


The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex.



The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.


Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role has been assigned an eligible SOC code and meets the salary requirements for Skilled Worker Sponsorship if full time and appointed at Grade 7.4. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.

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September 30, 2025 5:59 PM###

Expected Interview Date

To Be Confirmed###

Expected Start Date

To Be Confirmed###

Fixed Term Contract Duration

Fixed Term until 01 January 2027