Research Technician (Maini, Pallett, Zhuang and Peppa Labs)

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

Job summary

A leading academic center in London seeks Research Technicians to support innovative research into tissue-resident immunity and viral infections. Ideal candidates will bring a background in Biochemistry or related fields and a commitment to scientific excellence. Join a collaborative team dedicated to advancing immunotherapy and vaccine development.

Benefits

41 Days holiday

Defined benefit pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-Site nursery

On-site gym

Qualifications

• Experience in a research laboratory is essential.
• Ability to work flexibly outside normal hours.
• Proven commitment to scientific excellence.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to research groups.
• Process and utilize primary tissue samples.
• Manage time effectively to meet strict deadlines.

Skills

Scientific communication

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

BSc in Biochemistry/Immunology/Biomedical Sciences

Job description

Ref Number B02-08778 Professional Expertise Laboratory Technical and Lab 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 15-Jun-2025

About Us

Multiple Research Technician positions are available within the groups of Professor Mala Maini, Dr Laura Pallett, Dr Alan Zhuang and Dr Dimitra Peppa based in the Division of Infection and Immunity at UCL. These roles will support cutting-edge research into tissue-resident immunity and viral infections. Specifically, the positions will contribute to projects aimed at understanding: adaptive immune responses to hepatitis B, liver cancer, and SARS-CoV-2 to inform immunotherapy and vaccine development (Maini Lab), the cellular communication between tissue-resident T cells and stromal cells (Pallett Lab), how the host circadian clock regulates T-cell immunity during viral infections (Zhuang Lab) and the immunology of HIV/HBV infection to advance cure strategies (Peppa Lab).

The post holder will be based at the new state-of-the-art Institute of Immunity and Transplantation (IIT; https://www.ucl.ac.uk/immunity-transplantation/), in UCL’s Division of Infection and Immunity (Royal Free campus, Pears Building). Work within the Institute aims to translate advances in the understanding of the immune system into improved therapies for patients.

About The Role

The successful candidate will provide technical support essential to the functioning of the Maini, Pallett , Zhuang and Peppa groups processing and utilising valuable primary tissue samples. The successful candidate will get the opportunity to work directly alongside a dynamic and collaborative group of multidisciplinary scientists within our groups, from across UCL and with external partners, working on integrated aspects of liver immunology and beyond.

The position is available immediately for 1 year in the first instance. The position may be extended, dependent on project success, funding, and scientific priorities.

About You

The successful applicant should have a BSc or equivalent in Biochemistry/Immunology/Biomedical Sciences or related subject or a Technical Assistant degree or some experience working in a research laboratory. A high level of attention to detail and a proven commitment to scientific excellence are essential.

Candidates must have excellent oral and written scientific communications skills, commitment to collaboration in research and to taking a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving. They must be highly organised, able to manage their time and work to strict deadlines. They must be able to deal pleasantly and effectively with a wide range of people and keep accurate and detailed written laboratory records.

The nature of scientific work, and in particular work with patient derived samples means it will be necessary to work outside normal working hours in order to process tissue samples and to complete experiments.

In particular, the successful candidate will need to be able to work flexibly outside normal working hours at short notice.

Informal enquiries regarding the vacancy can be made by email to Prof Mala Maini at [e-mail], Dr Laura Pallett at [e-mail] Dr Alan Zhuang at [e-mail] or Dr Dimitra Peppa at [e-mail].

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details. Please also read the attached Candidate Guidance document.

All applications must include a supporting statement, telling us, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria listed in the job description. Applications without a supporting statement will be rejected.

If you have any queries about the role or application process, technical issues, or need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, please contact the staffing team at [e-mail].

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/reward-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; LGBTQI+ 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.

Available documents

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

• download: TalentLink Candidate Guidance.pdf
• download: 2025_maini_pallett_zhuang_peppa research_tech_JD.pdf