Research Technician at UCL (B02-11174)

National Technician Development Centre; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave

5 days annual leave purchase

CARE pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-site gym

Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

University College London (UCL) invites applications for a Research Technician in the Isaacs Lab to develop methods for enriching cell types from post-mortem brain tissue and to prepare libraries for single-nucleus RNA-sequencing. The role includes performing bioinformatic analysis of data and collaborating closely with an interdisciplinary team.

The position provides the opportunity to contribute to neurodegenerative disease research focused on C9orf72-related and other repeat expansion

Qualifications

• BSc in a relevant discipline such as biomedical research.
• Experience with the preparation of snRNAseq libraries.
• Bioinformatic analysis of snRNAseq data.
• Biochemical or molecular biology analyses of post-mortem brain material.
• Good IT proficiency, strong communication and problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop methods to enrich cell types of interest from post-mortem brain tissue using FANS.
• Prepare libraries for single cell nuclear RNA-sequencing.
• Perform bioinformatic analysis of the data.
• Collaborate with the lab team to advance project goals.

Skills

Good IT proficiency

Strong communication skills

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Education

BSc in Biomedical Research or related field

Job description

The Department of Neurodegenerative Disease is focused on the study of neurodegenerative diseases causing dementia and related disorders. The Department has a strong focus on mechanistic dissection of genetic, molecular cellular and neuropathological processes which underlie neurodegeneration in particular diseases and across the neurodegeneration spectrum. A related touchstone of our research is to identify pathophysiological mechanisms and markers that link molecular pathology to clinical phenotypes of neurodegenerative disease.

The Isaacs Lab, based in the Department, investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). They are particularly interested in the repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene, which is a common cause of both FTD and ALS, and use a multidisciplinary approach including disease modelling in mice, Drosophila, primary neurons and iPS cell-derived neurons.

About the role

The Lab has recently started to investigate repeat expansion disorders beyond C9orf72, including ALS caused by intermediate ATXN2 repeat expansions, Huntington’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxias.

We are now recruiting a Research Technician to work to develop methods to enrich cell types of interest from post-mortem brain tissue such as fluorescence activated nuclear sorting (FANS), followed by preparation of libraries for single cell nuclear RNA-sequencing, and performing bioinformatic analysis of the data.

The post is available from 01 October 2026 and funded by the UK DRI until 30 September 2027 in the first instance.

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Professor Adrian Isaacs ( [e-mail] ).

About you

You’ll have a BSc in a relevant discipline such as biomedical research, coupled with experience with the preparation of snRNAseq libraries, bioinformatic analysis of snRNAseq data, and with biochemical or molecular biology analyses of post-mortem brain material. Good IT proficiency, strong communication and problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively is also essential for this role.

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.

What we offer

• 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
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible, and job share basis wherever possible.

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 website for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an Athena SWAN Gold 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.