Job Description

Ref Number

B02-09089

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

43,374 51,860

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

On site

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

30-Jul-2025

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 Purton group who are world-leaders in the field of chloroplast biotechnology. You will work as a lab technician and researcher within a friendly and dynamic team contributing to a three-year 'moonshot' project funded by the UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) that aims to create synthetic chloroplasts for next-generation crop plants.

About the role

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The main purpose of this position is to provide skilled research support to the ARIA project. The post-holder will work alongside the post-docs, PhD and Masters students in the Purton group, together with those of our collaborators, supporting the different genetic engineering projects and helping to deliver the ambitious goals of the project. The post-holder will therefore have a strong practical background in molecular biology and microbiology, and a proven record of working collegiately and effectively within a large research team.


Salary is 43,374 per annum, inclusive of London Weighting. Interview Date(s) are scheduled for: week beginning 4th This role is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of [31st May 2028 in the first instance. 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.

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 Prof Saul Purton at s.purton@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 the HR Administrator.

About you

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You will have a strong background in molecular biology/genetic engineering and a proven record of lab-based experience in this field, ideally involving experimental work on microalgae or other model microorganisms.



You will be expected to contribute to the ARIA-funded project on 'synthetic chloroplasts' by working alongside and supporting the researchers on this project, as well as providing general technical support within the Purton group.



You must have at least a BSc degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology) and proven knowledge of molecular techniques and gene structure, expression and regulation.

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 holidays, 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/