Research Assistant

Research from the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL covers the journey from the patient to the laboratory and back to the patient with improved diagnosis, biomarkers and candidate therapies put to the test. Led by Professor Karen Duff, UK DRI Centre Director, the team will address the key unanswered mechanistic questions that link genetic and lifecourse factors to dysfunction in molecular pathways, in cells and in neural systems during the progression of the dementias. This work will be enhanced by clinical resource to link lab work to the clinic.

The Schiavo Lab's research programme aims to elucidate the mechanisms of axonal transport regulation and tau dynamics in healthy and diseased neurons, while identifying new targets to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and other neurodegenerative diseases characterised by impaired axonal transport.

Project: Investigating the Regulation of the Synaptic Release of Pathological Tau and Linked Biomarkers

The neuron-to-neuron transfer of pathological tau enables its spreading through interconnected brain regions and strongly correlates with disease progression and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia. The project aims to expand the identification of new modulators of pathological tau spreading, and linked biomarkers. Thus, we plan to map the post-translational modification (PTM) signature of pathological tau secreted at rodent and human AD synapses, characterise the tau-associated secretome, and identify pharmacological modulators of this process. These new findings will be pivotal for the identification of new therapeutic targets modulating the release of pathological tau, which in turn are necessary for slowing down AD and related tauopathies.

You will have the opportunity to use a variety of techniques, including molecular, cellular and functional approaches, state-of-art imaging techniques, proteomics, and iPSC-derived neurons.

The post is available from 25 August 2026 and funded by Eli Lilly and Company via UK DRI Ltd until 31st March 2029 in the first instance.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin at ucl.ac.uk).

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Dr Anna Masato (a.masato at ucl.ac.uk) and Professor Giampietro Schiavo (giampietro.schiavo at ucl.ac.uk).

Application deadline: 23:59, 03 June 2026.

For a full job description please visit UCL’s online recruitment portal (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs) and search using vacancy reference B02-10551. To apply, please upload a current CV, complete the online application form, and use the supporting statement section or upload a cover letter to outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please do not upload any additional attachments as these will not be considered by the selection panel.

You’ll have an undergraduate and/or Master’s degree in Neuroscience, Biology, or a related field, experience in neurobiology research, including biochemical approaches, and experience with cell biology techniques. The ability to maintain high standards of research excellence and experimental reproducibility, good interpersonal skills, and the ability to act on your own initiative is also essential for this role.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits; visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.