Research Fellow

Overview

The Dementia Research Institute at UCL is seeking a Research Fellow to join the Bourdenx Lab in investigating the mechanisms of proteostasis collapse in ageing and neurodegenerative disorders. The position is available starting 01 November 2026, and is funded by the Medical Research Council until 31 October 2027 in the first instance. The work is conducted on site in the United Kingdom.

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to candidates holding a PhD in molecular or cellular biology or a related discipline. Applicants without a completed PhD may be initially appointed as a Research Assistant with a salary of £40,603 to £43,749 per annum, with the Research Fellow appointment backdated upon the final submission of the PhD thesis. International applicants who require a visa are welcomed, as the role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. UCL particularly encourages applications from candidates likely to be underrepresented in its workforce, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals, disabled people, LGBTQI+ and gender diverse people, and women in specific grade roles.

What you get

The position offers a salary ranging from £43,981 to £54,019 per annum. The appointment is a full-time, fixed-term contract.

Requirements

Applicants must possess a strong foundation in cell-biology alongside essential experience in induced pluripotent stem cells, genome-editing techniques, high-content microscopy and image acquisition or processing, and advanced scientific programming for bioinformatics using languages such as Python and R, along with version control practices. Additional requirements include expertise in developing and applying agentic AI systems for biological knowledge extraction and regulatory networks, knowledge of neuroscience, an understanding of the mission of the UK Dementia Research Institute, an interest in its research work, and a commitment to supporting high-quality research. Candidates must apply with a current CV, a completed online application form, and a supporting statement or cover letter detailing how they meet the essential and desirable criteria, without uploading any additional attachments.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is 2026-10-30. The post is available from 01 November 2026.