Job Description

Ref Number

B02-09531

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

Fixed-term

Working Type

On site

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

16-Oct-2025

About us

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The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre (SWC) brings together world-leading scientists to investigate how brain circuits process information to generate perception, form memories and guide behaviour. Developed through the vision and partnership of the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and Wellcome, and with substantial investment from these partners, the mission of the SWC is to generate experimentally testable theories of brain function. We are looking for an excellent Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the Erlich Lab at the SWC. Our lab aims to understand how neural circuits generate flexible, cognitive behaviors. In particular, this role will use freely-moving rats to understand how working-memory strategies shift under different task constraints Towards this goal, we combine theory-motivated behavioural designs, quantitative estimation of animals' internal states, large-scale cellular-resolution monitoring and manipulation of identified neural circuits during decision tasks, and computational modelling.

About the role

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In the role, you will design and implement independent research projects, and be involved in a range of activities both independently and in collaboration with others. Activities may include animal behavioral training, recording and/or imaging from identified neural populations, neuronal perturbation, setting up experimental equipment, data analysis, computational modeling, and scientific communication, including writing up manuscripts for publication and grant writing. This post is funded for 2 years in the first instance with the possibility of extension subject to successful grant application/renewal. Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B (spine points 25 - 28) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

About you

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You will have research experience in areas ranging from behavioural experimentation, in vivo electrophysiology, neural circuit manipulation to computational/theoretical neuroscience. Prior experience with high density electrophysiological recordings, optogenetic manipulations and computational modelling of behaviours and neural dynamics are required.

What we offer

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The SWC offers staff an award-winning work environment in the heart of Fitzrovia with an onsite brasserie, access to lockers and changing facilities, secure bicycle storage, and access to pleasant outdoor spaces. The Centre also offers the full range of UCL staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement, occupational pension schemes, excellent family-friendly policies such as occupational shared parental pay, a work-life balance policy, and a range of financial benefits such as a season ticket loan scheme and staff discounts.

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. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, maths, and medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. SWC is delighted to have received an Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2021. We stand by our commitment to positive action to improve equality and accessibility in the workplace. We will provide reasonable adjustments to enable people to work and flourish with us. SWC is proud to uphold both UCL's Dignity at Work and Work-Life Balance policies. As Centre we commit to fostering a positive cultural climate where all staff and students can thrive and and actively support Wellbeing@UCL, UCL community, supported by our Wellbeing.