"Research Technician"

About us

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of over 900 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, driving a step change in our understanding of neurodegeneration, and accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of interventions that will help diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent dementia.

Research from UK DRI 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.

About the role

We are recruiting a Research Technician to join the Bartels lab at the UK DRI at UCL and work on a research project involving the analysis of human blood samples and the optimisation of novel antibodies in an ELISA format to develop a novel biomarker of synucleinopathy. Ex vivo protein standards will be purified from human tissue and mammalian cell culture and quality control conducted via SDS-PAGE, aggregation assays, electronmicroscopy, CD spectroscopy. You will assist with protein biochemical and biophysical analysis, as well as protein expression and purification.

The role is available from May 2026 and is funded by the UK Dementia Research Institute until 30 April 2027 in the first instance.

For a full job description please visit UCL’s online recruitment portal and search using vacancy reference B02-10112. 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.

About you

You will have an Honours degree (minimum 2:1) in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline, as well as experience and knowledge in one or more of the following areas: neurodegeneration, synucleinopathies, biochemical analysis (including detergent extraction and Western Blot) and protein expression and purification. Good IT, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential, as is a proactive approach to your work and an ability to meet deadlines.

This role does not meet the eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa certificate of sponsorship under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore UCL will not be able to sponsor individuals who require right to work in the UK to carry out this role.

What we offer

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

Customer advert reference: B02-10112