Research Technician

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 Professor Patricia Salinas’ lab at UCL. Her lab is in the main campus of UCL in Central London. Her research team aims at elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the formation, function, and integrity of synapses in the mammalian brain. Her previous work has led to the discovery that Wnt secreted proteins promote the formation and plasticity of synapses in several brain areas. Her lab also found that Wnt signalling is defective in the Alzheimer’s brain, contributing to synapse degeneration and memory impairment in this condition. The current project is focused on the role of glia cells, astrocytes, in synapse protection in Alzheimer’s disease using mouse model of this disease.

About the role

The main purpose of this position is to characterise the cellular and synaptic changes in mouse mutants and during the progression of Alzheimer’s disease using animal models and human brain samples.

The research technician will be involved in the breeding of transgenic mice and related tasks to comply with regulations with the use of animals. The technician will also be directly involved in a research project that examines the impact of deficient Wnt signalling in synapse integrity using brain samples from mutant mice and from human brain samples. The technician will have the opportunity to learn and use molecular and cellular approaches (qPCR, confocal microscopy and image analyses, injections of viruses in the rodent brain).

The post is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of 15/08/2024 in the first instance.

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.

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 Professor Patricia Salinas at p.salinas@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

The applicant must have BSC or MSC degree in areas related to neuroscience, developmental neurobiology and have proven knowledge of molecular biology and cell biology.

You will feel comfortable in working with rodents and human samples.

You will have experience in performing in experiments and working in a lab environment.

You will have critical ability and assist the team in the development, planning and delivery of research funded by the MRC and other funders.

You will be expected to produce independent and original contributions to the development of the research programme of the lab.

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/