Research Technician

UCL AI Centre; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The UCL AI Centre is seeking a Research Technician to join the UK Dementia Research Institute. You will work closely with human brain tissue and cell culture models associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This role offers a unique opportunity to be part of groundbreaking research under experienced supervision. This fixed-term position provides great benefits alongside the competitive salary within the University environment.

Benefits

41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, and 6 closure days)

Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme

Defined benefit pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-site nursery

On-site gym

Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay

Employee assistance programme

Discounted medical insurance

Qualifications

• Degree in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related disciplines is required.
• Experience with iPSC culture and neuronal differentiation is essential.
• Strong understanding of neurodegeneration and related biochemical analysis.

Responsibilities

• Analyze human post-mortem brain tissue and various cell culture models.
• Conduct in vitro aggregation assays and biochemical analyses.
• Support histopathology techniques and protein expression purification.

Skills

Biochemical analysis

Cell culture

Neurodegeneration

Synucleinopathies

Histology

Education

Honours degree (minimum 2:1) in Biophysics, Biochemistry, or Molecular Biology

Job description

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Ref Number B02-08839 Professional Expertise Research and Research Support Department School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02) Location London Working Pattern Full time Salary £35,930-£41,255 Contract Type Fixed-term Working Type On site Available for Secondment No Closing Date 01-Jul-2025

About Us

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative supporting research to fill the major knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause dementia.

Based within the UK DRI at UCL, the Bartels Lab specializes in the study of synuclein multimers and lipidomics in the context of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The lab plays a unique role in this field, addressing key research gaps through close collaborations with the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and the Queen Square Brain Bank.

Dr Tim Bartels first discovered disease resistant forms of the α-synuclein protein and their destabilization in Parkinson’s Disease. His lab is interested in identifying the different factors that destabilize α-synuclein and that lead to neurotoxicity.

About The Role

We are seeking a Research Technician to contribute to a project involving the analysis of human post-mortem brain tissue and various cell culture models, including iPSC-derived and primary human neurons, as well as structural in vitro assays using recombinant protein. Both native brain tissue and in vitro models will be used to study α-synuclein fibrils across different synucleinopathies.

In vitro aggregation assays, electron microscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) will be employed to elucidate context-dependent protein folding. You will provide support with histopathology techniques, biochemical analyses such as crosslinking and Western blotting, cell culture, and protein expression and purification.

The post is available from 01 September 2025 and is funded by the UK DRI for one year 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 Dr Tim Bartels ([e-mail]).

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

About You

You will have an Honours degree (minimum 2:1) or equivalent in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or a related discipline, and experience with iPSC culture and neuronal differentiation.

A background and knowledge in one or more of the following is essential: Neurodegeneration, synucleinopathies, biochemical analysis, such as detergent extraction and Western Blot, cell culture experience, IHC.

Experience of working with Biophysics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Histology assays is also a requirement, as is an understanding of the mission of the UK DRI, an interest in its research work and a commitment to supporting high quality research.

What we offer

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.

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; visitour EDI websitefor 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.

Available documents

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

• download: 2025-05-Research Technician (Bartels, DRI)- Job Description & Person Specification.pdf
• download: UCL Guidance for Candidates.pdf

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Higher Education

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