Job Description

Ref Number

B02-09800

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

04-Jan-2026

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



This is an exciting opportunity to join the Zanetti 'Membrane Architecture' laboratory. The Zanetti lab is currently seconded at the Francis Crick Institute, where cutting edge research is carried out in a vibrant environment. In addition, the lab benefits from close links and collaboration with the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, joint between UCL and Birkbeck College. At the Crick, the lab has access to an excellent cryo-EM facility including a recently acquired cryo-FIB/SEM with integrated fluorescence.



Both the Crick and ISMB offer an exciting programme of seminars and training. The Zanetti lab is a respectful, collaborative and nurturing environment.

About the role

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The main purpose of this position is to carry out research in the field of membrane trafficking and secretion. The main research questions are around the basic mechanisms of protein export from the Endoplasmic Reticulum, in particular around the role of intrinsically disordered domains in regulating the function of coat protein complex II (COPII). You will use biochemical reconstitution and in situ cryo-tomography as the main line of enquiry.



You will be responsible for planning and delivering the research to reproducible and publishable standards, and maintain a shared lab book. You are expected to regularly interact with your supervisor and other team members, as well as other collaborators on the project and facility staff. You will be occasionally requested to contribute in supervision of PhD and Master students. You are expected to present your progress and results at lab, institutional and international meetings as appropriate. You will have the possibility to participate in a number of training opportunities.



This is a fixed-term role until 4 years after the start date, and interview Date(s) are scheduled for January 2026.

Research Fellows -

'Appointment is at Grade 7 of UCL sarary scale, and is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B (salary 34,502 - 36,348 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis.'



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.



This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Academic Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/policies/2021/jun/conditions-service-academic-staff 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 Giulia Zanetti at g.zanetti@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 Biosciences staffing at biosciences.staffing@ucl.ac.uk.

About you

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You must have a PhD (or be working towards it) in relevant subject area (biochemistry, cell biology or similar) and proven knowledge of common biochemical and cell biology techniques. A keen interest in molecular mechanisms and membrane trafficking pathways is a plus. Knowledge of protein structure and structural techniques, particularly cryoEM and tomography is highly desirable.



In this role, you will assist the team in the development, planning and delivery of research funded by MRC, where you will be expected to produce independent and original contributions. In addition to developing and conducting the research, you will communicate results as scientific papers and in scientific presentations at local, national, and international conferences.

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/