Research Fellow – Epilepsy and Neurodegeneration(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Department

The Research Department of Epilepsy is dedicated to improving the lives of people living with epilepsy through cutting-edge research that seeks to identify, understand, and ultimately prevent or correct the biological mechanisms underlying epileptic disorders and associated comorbidities.

Our work bridges basic neuroscience and clinical science, ensuring that discoveries in the laboratory translate meaningfully into patient benefit. Within the department, the Epilepsy Neuropathology Research Group works in close partnership with NHS neuropathology laboratories and clinical services, benefitting from shared expertise, specialist facilities, and direct access to surgical and post-mortem tissue.

The group is well resourced, with dedicated laboratory and office space, access to multiplex immunostaining, digital slide scanning, and strong collaborations across genetics, neuroimaging, neuropsychology, and clinical epilepsy services at the Institute of Neurology.

About the Role

We are recruiting a Research Fellow to join a Wellcome Trust–funded programme titled “Epilepsy and neurodegeneration: disease mechanisms and early detection”.

This project focuses on understanding why some individuals with epilepsy develop cognitive decline and neurodegenerative changes, and how these processes differ from classical neurodegenerative diseases. The research combines neuropathology, molecular neuroscience, imaging, and clinical data to build a comprehensive picture of disease mechanisms.

You will contribute to studies involving longitudinal neuroimaging (including Tau-PET), CSF biomarkers, and neuropsychometric assessments in patients undergoing epilepsy surgery at the National Hospital. Laboratory-based work will focus on tau pathology, post-translational protein modification, vascular degeneration, white and grey matter atrophy, genetic risk factors, and dysregulation of pathways such as mTOR, including somatic mutations.

The post is funded by Wellcome until 31 March 2027, with potential for further development depending on funding and project progress.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory-based research using post-mortem and surgically resected epilepsy tissue
• Investigate tau pathology and protein modification in relation to epilepsy and cognitive decline
• Apply advanced neuro-histological and imaging techniques, including confocal microscopy
• Contribute to tissue-based genetic and somatic variant analyses
• Work collaboratively with clinical, imaging, and genetics teams across UCL and the NHS
• Analyse and interpret complex multimodal datasets
• Contribute to publications, presentations, and dissemination of findings

About You

You will be an early-career researcher with strong technical expertise and a genuine interest in translational neuroscience.

Essential Criteria

• A PhD in neuroscience or a closely related discipline (completed or close to submission)
• Demonstrated experience in core neuro-histology techniques, including:
• Tissue sectioning
• Immunohistochemistry
• In situ hybridisation
• Quantitative image analysis
• Confocal microscopy
• Experience with slice culture preparation and maintenance
• Familiarity with tissue-based gene sequencing and somatic variant analysis
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Salary and Contract Information

Grade 7 Research Fellow: Starting salary £45,103 per annum (including London Allowance)

Applicants without a completed PhD will be appointed initially at Grade 6B Research Assistant (£39,148 – £41,833 per annum), with automatic backdated uplift to Grade 7 upon PhD submission

It is expected that candidates will have completed their viva prior to taking up post

Visa and International Applicants

This role meets eligibility criteria for sponsorship under UK Visas and Immigration routes, subject to individual circumstances

UCL welcomes applications from international researchers requiring visa sponsorship.

What We Offer

• UCL provides a comprehensive benefits package to support your professional and personal wellbeing.

Benefits include:

• 41 days’ annual leave (27 days annual leave, 8 public holidays, 6 closure days)
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days’ leave
• Membership of a defined benefit CARE pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan support
• On-site nursery and gym facilities
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Staff Support Service (Employee Assistance Programme)
• Discounted medical insurance

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Institute of Neurology is committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and supportive research environment. Individual strengths are valued, teamwork is encouraged, and career development is actively supported.

This commitment aligns with the Equality Act 2010:
 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance

The Institute holds an Athena SWAN Silver Award and has a strong, active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion programme. We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are underrepresented in academia, including people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ and gender-diverse individuals.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• A current CV
• A completed online application form
• A supporting statement or cover letter outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria

Additional attachments will not be considered.