Research Fellow(UK Visa Sponsorship)

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Uk
May 15, 2026
Full Time Permanent
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Job Description

University College London is recruiting a Research Fellow to join the laboratory of Dr Dervis Salih within the Department of Neurodegenerative Disease and the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI). This role focuses on advanced computational and experimental research into the biological mechanisms driving ageing, dementia, and neurodegeneration.

The position is based in London with an on-site working model and offers a unique opportunity to contribute to internationally leading research that connects genetics, epigenetics, and brain cell biology.

About the Research Programme

This post sits within a multidisciplinary research environment studying how immune processes, genetic variation, and brain cell interactions contribute to cognitive decline and diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The work integrates:

  • Genome-wide association studies (GWAS)
    Transcriptomics (bulk, single-cell, long-read, and spatial)
    Epigenomic profiling (ChIP-seq, CUT&Tag, and related methods)
    Proteomics and multi-omics data integration
    Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models of brain cells

The overall aim is to identify key genes and regulatory pathways that influence oligodendrocyte function, neuronal communication, and microglial activity in ageing and neurodegeneration.

About the Role

The successful candidate will take a leading role in analysing complex multi-layered biological datasets to uncover how genetic and epigenetic mechanisms influence brain cell behaviour.

This is a collaborative project jointly supervised by researchers at King’s College London and UCL, with the first year based at UCL followed by two years at King’s College London.

The role offers strong opportunities for independent research development, publication, and progression toward fellowship funding applications.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead bioinformatics analysis of large-scale neurogenomics datasets
    Integrate epigenomic datasets (H3K27ac, ChIP-seq, CUT&Tag) with transcriptomic and proteomic data
    Analyse single-cell, multiome, and spatial transcriptomic datasets
    Study genetic risk variants from GWAS and their functional effects
    Investigate interactions between neurons, microglia, and oligodendrocytes
    Develop computational pipelines for multi-omics data integration
    Interpret results and contribute to high-impact scientific publications
    Present research findings at conferences and scientific meetings
    Support grant writing and fellowship applications
    Collaborate across multidisciplinary academic teams in UK and internationally

Essential Skills & Experience

Academic Background

PhD (or near completion) in neuroscience, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, or related field
Strong understanding of neurodegeneration and ageing biology

Technical Expertise

  • Experience with epigenetics and transcriptomics analysis
    Strong bioinformatics and computational biology skills
    Knowledge of multi-omics integration methods
    Experience handling large biological datasets (single-cell, bulk RNA-seq, spatial data)
    Understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms in brain disease

Research Skills

  • Proven ability to design and execute independent research projects
    Experience working in interdisciplinary environments
    Strong scientific writing and publication record
    Ability to manage complex data analysis workflows from design to publication

Desirable Skills

  • Experience with oligodendrocyte biology or glial cell systems
    Exposure to GWAS interpretation or statistical genetics
    Experience with iPSC-derived cell models
    Previous involvement in grant writing or fellowship applications

Salary & Benefits

  • Salary range: £43,981 – £52,586 per annum
    41 days annual leave (including bank holidays and closure days)
    Defined benefit pension scheme
    Cycle-to-work and travel season ticket loans
    On-site nursery and gym facilities
    Enhanced parental leave policies
    Immigration and relocation support (where applicable)
    Employee wellbeing and assistance programmes

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

University College London promotes a fully inclusive research environment where diversity is valued as a driver of innovation. Applications are encouraged from underrepresented groups in science and academia, including women in senior roles, ethnic minority researchers, disabled candidates, and LGBTQI+ scientists.

The institute holds an Athena SWAN Gold Award in recognition of its commitment to gender equality and inclusive academic development.

Visa Sponsorship

This role is eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship and may also meet criteria for the UK Global Talent visa route. International applicants are welcome to apply.

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