About us

Dementia is the greatest health challenge of our century.

To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it.

The UK Dementia Research Institute(UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward research to fill this gap.

We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of 700 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, with laboratory-based research groups located at University College London, the University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, Edinburgh University, Imperial College London and King’s College London.

UCL’s strength in combining excellent clinical and basic neuroscience research to advance our understanding of neurodegeneration and identify novel targets and therapeutic approaches for dementia resulted in its selection as the hub of the UK DRI. Research at the UK DRI at UCL covers the journey from the person living with dementia to the laboratory and back again - with improved diagnosis and potential therapies put to the test. The groups believe in intervening earlier in disease in order to change the trajectory.

About the role

The Hong lab is looking for a highly motivated Research Assistant to study how molecular heterogeneity of microglia and tissue-resident macrophages impacts vulnerability to synapse and neuronal loss in multiple mouse models of neurodegeneration.

You will provide intellectual and creative input to develop research plans that address key questions in microglial pathology, including how macrophage and microglia crosstalk could contribute to region-specific synaptic elimination. You will also provide independent technical support to the team and will utilise tissue-degradation methods and several in situ hybridization, histological as well as flow cytometry techniques to study microglia and neuro-immunobiology.

This post is available immediately and funded by a Chan Zuckerberg Initiative award for one year in the first instance

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).

For informal enquiries about the role please contact Dr Soyon Hong (soyon.hong@ucl.ac.uk).

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

About you

You are expected to be self-driven and to provide excellent intellectual input to the research projects of the lab. Preferred experience includes familiarity with mouse models of neurodegeneration and fate-map models, as well as strong wet lab experience in molecular, biochemical and/or cellular tools.

You will have an undergraduate and /or Master’s degree in Neuorosciences, Life Sciences or cognate area, an interest in the work of the Hong laboratory, and an understanding of murine (mouse) brain anatomy, immunology, neuroscience and/or neurodegenerative diseases. Experience of applying specialist skills and techniques in a laboratory setting, translating to proficiency in performing immunostaining flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, love cell imaging, and/or confocal microscopy is also required.

What we offer

Salary is offered in the range of £34,502 - £36,348 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

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

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 EDI initiatives; visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ion/equality-diversity-inclusionfor more information about what we’re doing. 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+ people, and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.