Job Description

About us
UCL is ranked number one in the UK for research in psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience. We are pleased to offer two research opportunities on a world-first study of the effects of the psychedelic drug dimethyltryptamine (DMT) on neuroplasticity, cognition and behaviour in heavy drinkers. We will combine drug administration with neuroimaging plus comprehensive cognitive and behavioural assessments to develop new insights into how psychedelic drugs might impact the brain, thoughts and behaviour. You will be embedded within the Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit at UCL; a world-leading multidisciplinary research unit that examines novel drug and behavioural approaches to improving treatments for mental health disorders.
We are dedicated to maintaining a supportive, collaborative and inclusive research culture and strive to produce research of a world-leading standard. If awarded the post you will therefore be join a thriving research team, working on a project with potential for great impact both in terms of scientific publication and clinical benefit. We have numerous collaborative scientific and clinical research links across the Institutes of Neurology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Mental Health and UCLH.
About the role
We are looking for a highly motivated and technically-capable research nurse, with substantial experience in venepuncture and cannulation, to join a ground-breaking research project on the effects of the psychedelic drug DMT. There has been a great deal of recent research (and public) interest in psychedelic drugs as therapeutic tools in psychiatry. Despite promising initial findings, there is a surprising lack of mechanism-focused, well-powered research in this field; a gap that this project will fulfil. We have received funding from the Wellcome Trust to conduct an ambitious study comparing DMT to other drugs in to understand how it affects cognition and behaviour in the short and long-term and how these effects might help reduce excessive alcohol consumption. The study combines neuroimaging (fMRI and EEG) with drug administration, behavioural and cognitive analyses, plus qualitative interviews, to provide a complete picture of the effects of DMT in heavy drinking and understand mechanisms and predictors of beneficial outcomes.
The post holder will be primarily involved in the screening and dosing of participants in the study, as an such should confident in participant-facing roles and highly experienced and proficient in cannulation. This role will be particularly suited to clinical practitioners who wish to be involved in cutting-edge research on psychedelics in mental health and gain direct experience in running complex, world-class research. If the findings from the project are positive, we aim to pursue clinical trials to develop addiction treatments based on the protocols we will test here. The position will therefore be ideal for clinicians with an interest in mental health research.
The salary is 45,103 per annum and the post is offered on a Part-Time basis at 0.6FTE, 3 days per week and is available from January 2026 until April 2026 in the first instance, with the possibility of extending further. The successful candidate must therefore be available to start immediately (end of January 2026).
This role does not meet the eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa certificate of sponsorship under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL will not be able to sponsor individuals who require right to work in the UK to carry out this role.
About you
We are looking for an individual with a recognised medical qualification from an accredited body in the UK (i.e. MBBS, or at least a 2:1 in adult nursing). You will need to have excellent face-to-face communication and technical skills in cannulation, along with strong organisational and time management skills as the study involves intensive data collection and discussion of potentially sensitive information with participants.
You will need to have some flexibility in your schedule and organise your time along with the study team. Prior experience working on translation psychiatry trials or other dug studies, or psychedelics aftercare are highly desirable.
For information about the application process, please contact: Pals.hr@ucl.ac.uk
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

• 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/rewards-and-benefits to find out more. For job board postings use the condensed plain text: As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.

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; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

• Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/

Available documents

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