Job Description

Ref Number

B02-09399

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

43,981-52,586

Contract Type

Permanent

Working Type

On site

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

23-Sep-2025

About us

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The Division of Biosciences at UCL is one of the world's foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences. We have an outstanding international reputation and a community of over 500 staff and more than 300 PhD students engaged in cutting edge research and collaboration.



Further information can be found on our website https://www.ucl.ac.uk/biosciences



Cell and Developmental Biology (CDB) is one of UCL's most prestigious research departments and an internationally renowned centre for interdisciplinary academic research. CDB is consistently rated as world-leading in the field of Biological Sciences and has a long-standing tradition of answering fundamental questions in biology. Our history stretches back to the foundation of UCL in 1826, when the Chairs of Anatomy and Comparative Anatomy were created. Alumni of the department include pioneers such as Grafton Elliot Smith, Gavin De Beer, Michael Abercrombie, J.Z. Young and Lewis Wolpert and our work has been consistently rated as world-leading, as exemplified by the 2014 Nobel Prize awarded to Professor John O'Keefe. Departmental research groups include around 200 research fellows, technicians, PhD students and support staff, and the department continues to expand in the 21st century with new initiatives such as the CIA - Centre for Integrative Anatomy and AI-Bio - Artificial Intelligence for understanding biological systems.



This is an exciting opportunity to join the Multicellular Morphogenesis Lab, established in the Spring of 2023 by Dr Alessandro Mongera. In line with our colleagues at CDB, we strive to maintain a question-driven approach to developmental biology, backed-up by the application of the very latest in research technologies.



The successful applicant will conduct research as part of the Wellcome-funded research project: "Mechano-metabolic control of vertebrate limb elongation". In this project, we will dissect the role of mechanics and metabolism during the early embryonic stages of limb formation.

About the role

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The postholder will focus on building transgenic tools to visualize and modulate tissue mechanical states in vivo; they will map changes in tissue mechanical properties using cutting-edge biophysical tools and live imaging, including both light-sheet and super-resolution microscopy; they will be encouraged to develop their independent line of research.



The responsibilities of the postholder will include carrying out vigorous, high-level research into the interplay of morphogenesis and metabolism, interfacing with other team members and collaborators, including the Manning Group at Syracuse University, USA and the Agar Group at Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. The post is available from 01 October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter and is funded until 30th September 2027 in the first instance.



This role is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of 01/10/2027 in the first instance.

Research Fellows -

'Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B (salary 38,357 - 41,005 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis.'



If you have any queries about the role, please contact Dr Alessandro Mongera at a.mongera@ucl.ac.uk.



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.



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 Biosciences staffing at biosciences.staffing@ucl.ac.uk.

About you

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Candidates should have a PhD in Biological sciences, or relevant areas of Physics and Engineering. Previous experience with chicken is preferred but not required. Candidates may have completed a PhD or equivalent qualification, be finalising their PhD thesis, or awaiting their viva date.



The successful candidate should have experience with live imaging, molecular biology and embryology, ideally with experience in writing and developing codes for image analysis. Candidates should have a strong interest in biological research and commitment to high-quality research, excellent interpersonal skills to facilitate participation in a research group, mentoring PhD students, and communication with experimental collaborators. They should be able to analyse and write up results, present complex information effectively to a range of audiences, show commitment to UCL's policy of equal opportunity, and work harmoniously with colleagues and students of all cultures and backgrounds.



Outstanding candidates will have experience in research on biomechanics and mechanotransduction, using animal models or in vitro systems, and will have successfully participated to experiments/theory projects in interdisciplinary setups. We particularly welcome female applicants and those from an ethnic minority, as they are under-represented within UCL at this level.

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:


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/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/