Research Assistant

UCL AI Centre; London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

UCL AI Centre is seeking a Research Assistant to support innovative research projects focused on Huntington's disease. The role involves patient-facing research tasks, including participant recruitment and conducting clinical assessments while working closely with clinical teams. Offering a competitive salary and notable benefits, this position presents a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to groundbreaking research.

Benefits

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

On-site nursery

On-site gym

Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay

Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

Discounted medical insurance

Qualifications

• Experience in neurodegenerative disease research is essential.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Support ongoing clinical trials and assist with participant recruitment.
• Conduct assessments and process study data.

Skills

Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

Research governance

Education

Honours degree (minimum 2:1) in Biological Sciences

Honours degree in Psychology

Honours degree in Nursing

Job description

Ref Number B02-08798 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 No Closing Date 17-Jun-2025

About Us

The Department of Neurodegenerative Disease is recognised as internationally leading in the study of neurodegenerative diseases causing dementia and related disorders.

Based in the department and led by Professor Sarah Tabrizi (Director), Professor Gillian Bates (Co-Director) and Professor Ed Wild (Associate Director), the UCL Huntington’s Disease Centre is uniquely placed worldwide to translate mechanistic insights to ‘first in human’ studies. It combines sophisticated cell-based systems with rigorously standardised preclinical target validation to prime mechanistically-driven drug development initiatives. The Centre integrates clinical and laboratory work with small proof-of-concept first in human studies in patients in the Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre (LWENC) prior to initiating larger phase 2 and 3 clinical trials including novel huntingtin-lowering trials.

About The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Assistant to support ongoing commercial and academic clinical trials in Huntington’s disease (HD), and to contribute to the delivery of several innovative research projects. The role is primarily patient-facing, with a focus on participant recruitment, scheduling, and conducting assessments.

A key part of the role will involve work on Enroll-HD, a global HD registry study. You will support recruitment efforts and carry out study assessments both during and outside of NHNN HD clinics. You will also be responsible for planning study visits, liaising with participants, and coordinating with clinical and research teams at the LWENC, UCL, and NHNN, in addition to processing study data.

You will also support commercial trials by assisting with participant recruitment both in and outside of clinic settings, coordinating study visits, preparing patient files, and conducting cognitive and neuropsychiatric assessments.

An honorary contract or Research Passport will be sought from UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, for which a DBS check will be required.

The post is available from 11 August 2025 and is funded by a research grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Delivery Network until 28 March 2026 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 ([e-mail]).

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Kate Fayer ([e-mail]).

A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below.

About You

You will hold an Honours degree (minimum 2:1) in Biological Sciences, Psychology, Nursing, or a related discipline, and have a strong understanding of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), relevant regulatory frameworks, and research governance. Experience of working in neurodegenerative disease research is essential, as is a good understanding of Huntington’s disease.

What we offer

Starting salary offered in the range £38,607 - £41,255 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

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

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.

Available documents

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

• download: UCL Guidance for Candidates.pdf
• download: 2025-05-Research Assistant (ND, Enroll)-Job Description & Person Specification.pdf