Job Description

Ref Number

B02-09925

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

On site

Available for Secondment

Yes

Closing Date

19-Jan-2026

About us

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The mission of the Research Department of Epilepsy is to transform the lives of people living with epilepsy for the better by identifying, understanding, and correcting or preventing the underlying mechanisms leading to the epilepsies and associated comorbidities in each individual person. Our vision is to build upon the excellence and breadth of our research, seamlessly integrating basic and clinical science.



The Epilepsy Neuropathology Research Group works closely with the neuropathology NHS laboratory, personnel, and its core facilities, and has dedicated office and laboratory space/research benches including access to multiplex immunostaining and slide scanning. Our group also works with clinical and research teams in Epilepsy and other departments at IoN, particularly for genetics, neuroimaging, and neuropsychology.

About the role

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We are seeking to recruit a Research Fellow as part of a Wellcome-funded project 'Epilepsy and neurodegeneration: disease mechanisms and early detection'. Research areas include longitudinal imaging (Including Tau-PET imaging), CSF and neuropsychometric studies of patients in the epilepsy surgical programme at the National Hospital.



We will aim to address pathological processes in individuals with epilepsy and cognitive decline, and how epilepsy differs from other neurodegenerative diseases. Research methods will include the investigations of tau protein and its post-translational modification in post-mortem and surgical epilepsy tissue, in relation to cortical, white matter atrophy, epilepsy-related vascular degeneration, underlying genetic risk factors and evidence of mTOR pathway activation/somatic mutations.



The post is available from 01 February 2026 and is funded by Wellcome until 31 March 2027 in the first instance.



If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).



For informal enquiries about the role please contact Professor Maria Thom (m.thom@ucl.ac.uk).



A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below. To apply, please upload a current CV, complete the online application form, and use the supporting statement section or upload a cover letter to outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please do not upload any additional attachments as these will not be considered by the selection panel.

About you

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Applicants should have a PhD in neuroscience or a relevant discipline (or be close to completion), with experience in a broad range of basic neuro-histology techniques including tissue sectioning, immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridisation techniques, quantitative analyses, and confocal imaging. Experience and familiarity of working with the preparation and maintenance o,f slice cultures and with tissue-based gene sequencing and somatic variant analysis is also a requirement.



This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.

What we offer

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Starting salary offered at 45,103 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.



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 (salary 39,148 - 41,833 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis. It is expected that you will have had your viva prior to commencing in post.



As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer 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 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.



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



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.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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The Institute prides itself on operating in an all-inclusive environment irrespective of personal, physical, or social characteristics. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and we are committed to advancing the careers of everyone. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives; visit our EDI website for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.


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+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles.