Job Description

About us
The RNA Regulation Laboratory, headed by Prof Andres Ramos is a highly dynamic research environment that applies a multi-disciplinary approach to address key questions in RNA Biology and neuronal regulation. The laboratory is part of the Biosciences Division, a centre of research excellence and one of the largest Divisions within UCL.
Research activities in the Division and the linked Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology are underpinned by state-of the-art research facilities hosting and developing methodologies, including cryo-electron microscopy, NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, single molecules methods, ion mobility mass spectrometry laboratories, cell biology, optical microscopy and bioinformatics.
The Biosciences Division coordinates a range of undergraduate and master's programmes and hosts a large number of postgraduate research students funded by MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC and many others. Symposia, retreats and seminar series are an important part of the experience of our community.
The Ramos lab promotes independent, creative, thinking, and projects are often collaborative across research disciplines. The project we propose is an exciting opportunity to explore the role that RNA regulatory proteins play in neuronal development, integrating structural biology with functional data from neurons.
About the role
The role is focussed on the investigation of the structural and molecular basis of protein-RNA recognition and regulation in neuronal development. Important questions include, but are not limited to, how RNA binding proteins recognise and remodel functionally related mRNAs targets, and how the system is regulated during neuronal development and in response to signalling.
The role holder will be expected to pursue original, multi-disciplinary research. The project entails the application of cryoEM and complementary biophysical methods to study the structure and conformational rearrangement of protein-RNA complexes and will require adaptation of current cryoEM methods to the study of protein-RNA complexes. Notably, the post holder will interface with collaborators and will be an active member of the Ramos lab.

• This is a fixed-term role for 30 months from the time of appointment, 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 38,607- 41,255 per annum) 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

for more information.

• This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Academic Staff. Please visit

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 Andres Ramos at a.ramos@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
The successful applicant should have obtained a PhD in Structural Biology incorporating Cryo-EM methods, and have knowledge of protein expression and purification.
Experience in other biophysical and structural methods would be beneficial. You will be expected to work as part of a tightly integrated team to produce original contributions to the mechanistic understanding of the role of RNA regulators in neuronal development.
Your studies will focus on the understanding of the IGFBP1/IMP1 system, in the first instance. In addition to developing and conducting the research, you will contribute expertise to the overall research effort in the Ramos group. You will also communicate results through scientific publications in leading journals, and as scientific presentations at national and international conferences.
What we offer
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
• 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

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Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
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 department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.
You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here:
Available documents