Applications are invited for a Research Fellow in the Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology. The mission of the Department is to transform the lives of people living with epilepsy for the better by identifying, understanding and correcting or preventing the underlying mechanisms leading to the epilepsies and associated comorbidities in each individual person.
The post holder will develop, test and optimise novel molecular tools to manipulate neuronal and synaptic excitability. The project is central to an MRC-funded programme of research aimed at optimising gene therapy for refractory epilepsy, with a view to clinical translation. It will be supervised by DM Kullmann, MC Walker, S Schorge (UCL Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology) and G Lignani.
Although the post is based in the Research Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology), the successful applicant may be asked to work in the Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology (NPP).
Applicants should have a PhD (or be close to obtaining) or equivalent in Molecular Neuroscience or a related discipline. In-depth knowledge of ion channel structure-function relationships, molecular pharmacology, molecular modelling and/or cellular electrophysiology is essential, as is in-depth knowledge of molecular biology methods. IT proficiency at advanced user level (electrophysiological and imaging data processing, statistical analysis programs), good inter-personal skills with an ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting, and strong problem-solving abilities are also required. Expertise in cell-based assays, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, and experience of working with neuronal cultures and/or ex vivo brain slice preparations, and with rodents, colony maintenance and surgery are desirable, as is a Personal Licence from the UK Home Office to work with rodents.
The post is available immediately and is funded by a grant from the Medical Research Council for 36 months in the first instance.
Starting salary on UCL Grade 7, the salary for which ranges from £36,028 to £43,533 per annum (including London Allowance). Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at research assistant Grade 6B (salary £31,542 – £33,257 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis. If the PhD has not yet been granted, the final accepted version of the thesis must have been submitted to the degree-granting university by the start date in post.
You should apply for this post through UCL’s online recruitment where you can download a job description and person specification using reference: 1878595.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Oksana Shapoval, HR Officer, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology.