Research Fellow in Cell and Developmental Neurobiology - Fernandes Lab

About us

Biosciences is one of the world’s foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences and one of the largest Divisions within UCL, undertaking a significant amount of research and teaching. The Division has a diverse portfolio addressing all areas of biology from protein interactions to cell function, organism development, genetics, population studies and the environment. Computational modelling approaches are frequently used alongside experimental research programmes and much of our research crosses traditional boundaries, including the relationship of biodiversity to the health of the planet. Activity is underpinned by high calibre science technology platforms and state of the art equipment. Educational activity includes a range of undergraduate programmes, an expanding number of Masters Programmes and a substantial number of postgraduate research students.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Fernandes Lab in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology.

We are generously funded by the Wellcome Trust to investigate how developmental processes coordinated to build functional circuitry.

About the role

Define the downstream molecular mechanisms that underpin and coordinate neuronal specification and commitment.

Neuronal differentiation is driven by dramatic changes in gene expression, which are precisely timed during development. This project aims to understand (1) the molecular mechanisms that drive a progenitor cell to differentiate into a neuron and (2) how these mechanisms are timed to enable rapid commitment to a particular neuronal fate.

This post will be available from September 2023, it is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of August 2027 in the first instance with possibility of extension.

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.

Interview Date(s) are scheduled for: May-June 2023.

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 Vilaiwan Fernandes at Vilaiwan.fernandes@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 Biosciences staffing at biosciences.staffing@ucl.ac.uk.

About you

You must have a PhD in a relevant subject area; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at research assistant Grade 6B (salary £34,502 - £36,348 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis (including corrections).

You will have a strong molecular biology background (e.g. RNA extraction, sequencing and analysis).

Experience with post-transcriptional mechanisms that regulate gene expression is desirable but not essential.

You will design, conduct and analyse experiments using genetic tools in Drosophila melanogaster.

You will be expected to be an active member of the team and to produce independent, original contributions to the subject area.

You will assist the team in the development, planning and delivery of research funded by the Wellcome Trust.

In addition to developing and conducting the research, you will communicate results as scientific papers and in scientific presentations at local, national, and international conferences.

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 (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
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

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.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/