Research Fellow in genetics of inherited neuromuscular diseases(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Department

The Department of Neuromuscular Diseases is a centre of excellence for both clinical care and research across inherited and acquired neuromuscular and spinal cord disorders. Our mission is to understand the genetic and biological mechanisms that drive neuromuscular diseases and to translate that knowledge into meaningful diagnostic and therapeutic advances.

Our teams bring together clinicians, geneticists, and basic scientists who work collaboratively using computational modelling, genomic technologies, and experimental systems ranging from cell-based models to patient-derived data. The Department hosts several internationally recognised research centres, including:

• Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre
• International Centre for Genomic Medicine
• Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases
• Alzheimer’s Research UK Drug Discovery Institute

We also maintain strong partnerships across UCL and with the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, ensuring our research has direct clinical relevance.

About the Role

This position sits within the International Centre for Genomic Medicine in Neuromuscular Diseases (ICGNMD), established to address a major gap in global neuromuscular research: the under-representation of individuals from low- and middle-income countries in genetic datasets.

Since 2019, ICGNMD has built one of the world’s most diverse collections of genetic and phenotypic data for neuromuscular diseases. The next phase, ICGNMD-2, will run from March 2026 for three years and focuses on advanced genomic analysis at scale.

We are seeking an experienced Research Fellow (Bioinformatician) to lead and support analysis of short-read sequencing, long-read sequencing, and transcriptomic datasets, with scope to adapt existing pipelines and develop new analytical methods suitable for complex and diverse cohorts.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to improving genetic diagnosis and equity of access to genomic medicine worldwide.

What You Will Do

• Analyse large-scale DNA and RNA sequencing datasets using state-of-the-art bioinformatics approaches
• Develop, adapt, and optimise pipelines for short-read, long-read, and transcriptome data
• Work closely with clinicians and scientists to interpret genetic findings in a disease-relevant context
• Contribute to method development, publications, and international collaborations
• Communicate results clearly to multidisciplinary and global research partners

You will work primarily with UCL-based colleagues while building productive relationships with researchers and clinicians across the UK and internationally.

About You

You will hold a PhD in Bioinformatics or demonstrate equivalent professional experience and expertise. You should be comfortable working with human genetic data and motivated by the application of genomics to rare disease research.

Essential experience includes:

• DNA and RNA sequencing analysis
• Genomic bioinformatics pipelines
• Programming in R, Python, and/or Bash
• Experience using High Performance Computing (HPC) environments
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to meet defined project objectives
• You should also enjoy collaborative work and be confident communicating complex findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a brief bioinformatics exercise and present their results as part of the interview process.

Funding and Visa Eligibility

The role is funded by the Medical Research Council until 31 January 2029 in the first instance.

This post meets the eligibility criteria for both Skilled Worker and Global Talent visa routes, and applications from international candidates are welcomed.

Relevant UK Government guidance:

• Skilled Worker visa
• Global Talent visa
• Working in the UK:
• Right to work checks
• Employment rights overview

Salary and Appointment

Appointment as Research Fellow is subject to the PhD being formally awarded. Where this is not yet complete, the initial appointment will be at Research Assistant level (£39,148–£41,833), with automatic backdated promotion upon submission of the final thesis.

What We Offer

UCL provides a supportive and inclusive working environment with an excellent benefits package, including:

• 41 days of leave per year (annual leave, bank holidays, and closure days)
• Defined-benefit CARE pension scheme
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements where possible
• Cycle-to-work scheme, season ticket loans, and immigration loan support
• On-site nursery and gym facilities
• Enhanced parental leave and wellbeing support services

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. The Institute actively invests in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and holds an Athena SWAN Silver Award in recognition of its progress in advancing gender equality.

We particularly encourage applications from individuals currently underrepresented in academic research, including candidates from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ and gender-diverse individuals, and women in senior research roles.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• A current CV
• A completed online application form

A supporting statement or cover letter explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria