Research Fellow (Data Scientist)UK Visa Sponsorship

Job Description

About the Organisation

The UK Dementia Research Institute is one of the UK’s largest national initiatives dedicated to advancing research into the biological mechanisms behind dementia. By supporting collaborative, multidisciplinary research, the institute aims to close the major knowledge gaps that exist in our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.

Within this network, the Duff Lab at University College London focuses on uncovering the molecular causes and potential treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. Researchers in the lab employ advanced technologies to explore changes in proteins and gene expression in both human and animal brain tissues.

These technologies include large-scale proteomics, transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics, and high-resolution sequencing techniques. Tools such as MERFISH, XENIUM, Stereo-seq, GeoMx, Visium HD, and single-nucleus RNA sequencing allow the team to generate and analyse complex datasets that reveal how neurodegenerative diseases develop and progress.

Role Overview

The institute is looking for a Research Fellow with strong data science expertise to join the Duff Lab. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research aimed at understanding the molecular pathways involved in neurodegenerative diseases.

In this role, you will work extensively with large and complex biological datasets. Your responsibilities will include managing, processing, and analysing data from multi-omics experiments. Through computational approaches and AI-driven analytical pipelines, you will help identify patterns and pathways that may contribute to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia.

Your work will support the research team in generating meaningful biological insights and improving the understanding of disease mechanisms, which could ultimately guide the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Key Responsibilities

The selected candidate will:

• Analyse and interpret complex omics datasets using advanced computational methods.
• Perform data management tasks including cleaning, curation, and quality assurance.
• Develop and maintain scalable analysis workflows for large datasets using tools such as Nextflow.
• Apply machine learning and AI-based methods to explore biological patterns within datasets.
• Collaborate with scientists and researchers to translate computational findings into biological insights.
• Support the development of data pipelines using high-performance or cloud computing environments.
• Contribute to research outputs including publications, reports, and collaborative projects.

Candidate Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate strong expertise in data science and bioinformatics, particularly within biological or biomedical research environments.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• PhD in Data Science, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Strong programming skills in Python, R, or Bash.
• Experience applying machine learning or AI methods to biological datasets, particularly feature selection techniques.
• In-depth knowledge of genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics data analysis.
• Expertise in advanced statistical methods for large-scale datasets.
• Experience working with high-performance computing or cloud-based systems.
• Ability to design and manage scalable analysis workflows.

Visa and Immigration Information

This role qualifies for sponsorship under the UK immigration system. International applicants who require work authorization are encouraged to apply.

Further information about working in the UK can be found through official government resources:

• Skilled Worker visa guidance
• Global Talent visa for researchers and scientists
• General guidance on working in the UK
• Research and innovation policy in the UK
• Rights and responsibilities of employees in the UK

Salary and Benefits

The salary for this position ranges from £45,103 to £46,261 per year, including the London Allowance.

If the successful candidate has not yet formally received their PhD, they may initially be appointed as a Research Assistant, with a salary between £39,148 and £41,833, until their doctoral degree is officially awarded.

Additional benefits include:

• 41 days of annual leave (including public holidays and institutional closure days)
• Optional annual leave purchase scheme
• Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme
• Cycle-to-work and season ticket loan schemes
• Immigration loan support for international staff
• On-site nursery and gym facilities
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Staff wellbeing and support services
• Access to discounted private medical insurance

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

University College London is committed to building an inclusive and diverse academic environment. The institute values teamwork and recognises the importance of diverse perspectives in driving innovation and scientific discovery.

Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals belonging to groups that are currently underrepresented within the university workforce, including people from ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled individuals, LGBTQI+ communities, and women in senior roles.

The institute also holds the Athena SWAN Silver Award, reflecting its commitment to gender equality and inclusive career development.