Research Fellow at UCL

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 groups of Tom Wills and Francesca Cacucci, becoming an active member of a research project focused on uncovering the neural mechanisms underlying the post-natal emergence of memory.

About the role

The main purpose of this position is to conduct research involving multi-site single unit recording and/or potentially functional calcium imaging from the hippocampus and cortical regions (e.g. Entorhinal Cortex, Pre-frontal cortices) while animals are engaged in spatial memory tasks. The post holder will assist in the design and running of experimental procedures, analysing neural spike and local field potential data, writing up the results, and should have a desire to publish in prestigious journals.

Applications are encouraged from candidates with behavioural/systems neuroscience experience, who have expertise in either in vivo electrophysiology or calcium imaging, during behavioural tasks. Experience with brain chemo/optogenetic techniques is also desirable.

This role is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of 31/03/2026 in the first instance.

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 Dr Tom Wills at t.wills@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, or be about to obtain, a PhD in neuroscience, with a focus in investigating neural activity in behaving animals. Experience in in vivo recording techniques (Electrophysiology or optical imaging imaging) is essential.

You will assist the team in the development, planning and delivery of research funded by the Wellcome Trust, investigating the neural bases of memory development: you will be expected to produce independent and original contributions to the research program.

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 can be found in this link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/pay-benefits/staff-benefits

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.