Job Description

Ref Number

B02-08686

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

12-May-2025

About us

------------


The Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences is a world-leading group that brings together expertise across the clinical and basic science spectrum of the physiology and pathology of human movement and movement disorders.



The Department incorporates groups from the Queen Square and Royal Free campuses of the Institute and includes the Reta Lila Weston Institute and the Movement Disorders Centre (MDC), which supports research and clinical service activities for the multi-disciplinary group of movement disorders clinical academics across UCL and its affiliated hospital (NHNN).



The Queen Square Brain Bank (QSBB) is also a part of the Department and houses one of the largest collections of brains with neurodegenerative diseases in Europe.

About the role

------------------


We have an outstanding opportunity for a Research Technician to participate in a project to develop a world leading nervous system tissue resource based on a portfolio of high value, deeply phenotyped patient and control cohorts.



The project aims to provide the translational neuroscience community with a step change in neurodegenerative disease and control tissue resources, underpinning the exponential growth in research into these conditions.



Based in the lab, you will work collaboratively with other QSBB team members to prepare human brain, skin, and other somatic organ tissue and fluid samples and primary cell cultures for archiving and downstream digital pathology and genetic analysis. You will develop and advance a broad range of laboratory skills involving, but not limited to, tissue and cell culture preparation for freezing and processing into paraffin, section preparation using microtome and cryostat, basic histochemistry, immune-histochemistry, immuno-fluorescence, digital slide scanning and file sorting, primary cell culture preparation and cryopreservation from tissues, such as skin and dura mater.



The post is available immediately and funded by the Medical Research Council for one year in the first instance with the possibility of extension.



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 (ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).



Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Professor Tom Warner (t.warner@ucl.ac.uk) and Dr Zane Jaunmuktane (z.jaunmuktane@ucl.ac.uk).



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

About you

-------------


You will have a BSc (or equivalent) in Neuroscience or a related topic and general histology laboratory competence. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and numeracy skills are essential, as are time management, organisational, and networking skills, with the ability to work to strict objectives.

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.



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



This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff.

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; visit our EDI website for 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.