Research Fellow

Job Description

Research Fellow

Research Department: UK

Dementia Research Institute at

UCL (UK DRI)

Grade: 7

Location: Cruciform Building / On-site First

Reports to

Centre Director, Professor Karen Duff Dr Mathieu Bourdenx Future Leaders Fellow, UK DRI at UCL

Research Fellow

Line manager: Line manager: Dr Mathieu Bourdenx

Context

The UK Dementia Research Institute

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.

Our laboratory-based research groups are located at University College London, the University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, The University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London and King’s

College London.

Dementia is the biggest health challenge of our century – currently affecting over fifty million people worldwide, projected to triple by 2050, with huge financial, emotional and social impact on people directly affected, their carers, families and the community.

Dementia is a symptom of several neurodegenerative disorders, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for about 60% of cases. To date there is no way to prevent or even slow the rate of progression of neurodegeneration.

The UK DRI at UCL

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.

UK DRI at UCL examines changes in gene expression and biological pathways in single cells to get a detailed picture of the changes happening during the initiation and development of Alzheimer’s disease. The UCL team also works to develop new biomarkers to monitor disease progression.

Programmes of work will look specifically at deficits in axonal transport as a very early step in neurodegeneration and at the role of the Wnt signalling pathway in the maintenance and function of synapses to see whether it is a promising target for future dementia therapies.

UK DRI at UCL is largely located in a refurbished space within the Cruciform building within UCL’s Bloomsbury campus, with additional space in the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology. The future iconic home of the UK DRI at UCL will be alongside UCL's Queen Square Institute of Neurology in a new building on Gray's Inn Road.

The UK DRI at UCL is embedded within the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, an autonomous academic research department. The Queen Square Institute of Neurology (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ion) was established in 1950, merged with UCL in 1997, and is a key component of the Faculty of Brain Sciences (FBS), School of Life and Medical Sciences (SLMS), at UCL.

Main purpose of the job

We are seeking a Research Fellow to investigate mechanisms of proteostasis collapse in ageing and neurodegenerative disorders. Our research within the Bourdenx Lab integrates systems biology with spatial and single cell omics and computational approaches to understand why specific neuronal populations selectively degenerate in dementia. You will join the Bourdenx lab to specifically focus on regulatory mechanisms of diverse forms of autophagy in neuronal systems.

You will use molecular and cell biology techniques, including the generation, maintenance and characterisation of novel iPS cells, their differentiation into neurons and mechanistic studies.

The post is available from 01 November 2026 and is funded by the Medical Research Council to 31 October 2027 in the first instance.

Duties and responsibilities

• Plan and perform high-quality research under the supervision of Dr Bourdenx and in collaboration with other team members.
• Prepare figures summarising the results and play a leading role in writing the manuscripts.
• Generate and maintain iPSC lines and directly converted neurons.
• Regularly interact with collaborators and coordinate joint work.

• Take responsibility for the quality control, analysis and interpretation of the data.
• Work independently and efficiently to achieve objectives agreed with the Principal Investigator.
• Contribute to the overall activities of the research and department as appropriate.

Teaching, research, and development

• Provide teaching on topics related to your work as requested by your line manager or Head of Research Department.
• Contribute to your Department’s multidisciplinary research projects as aligned with the departmental strategy.
• Prepare and analyse data for publications for the dissemination of research and for presentation at internal meetings at UCL, meetings with external collaborators, and national and international conferences.

General

• Attend and contribute to Departmental, Institutional, and university meetings, committees, and initiatives as appropriate.
• Always act in accordance with the highest professional standards and ensure that these are maintained in the delivery of all aspects of research.
• Actively promote equality of opportunity and inclusivity, supporting policy within the remit of your role.
• Ensure the highest standard of record keeping, maintaining accurate, complete, and up-todate records.
• Ensure confidentiality is maintained as applicable.
• Follow and actively promote the UCL Ways of Working.
• Takes responsibility to carry out duties in a way that embodies UCL's environmental and social sustainability values, actively supporting objectives within the remit of your role.

UCL’s Equal Opportunity

UCL's Sustainability Strategy, policies and The above description is not exhaustive, and you will be required to undertake any other duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope, spirit, and purpose of the post.

Job descriptions are reviewed on a regular basis including at the annual appraisal. As duties and responsibilities change, the job description may be amended in consultation with the post-holder.

You will be expected to actively follow all UCL policies and procedures and complete UCL mandatory training, maintain an awareness of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations, attend meetings as required, and undertake such training and development as may be needed for the post.

All staff are required to act professionally, cooperatively, and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the Institute’s Code of Conduct.

Person Specification

Note to job applicant: copy and paste the following criteria into your “Statement in support of your application” and describe underneath each criteria how you meet it, giving examples. You will be scored on how you meet each criteria.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

PhD in molecular or cellular biology, or a related discipline Experience with iPSC and in genome-editing techniques Experience in advanced scientific programming for bioinformatics (Python, R) and programming good practices (version control, etc) Strong foundation in cell-biology Experience with high-content microscopy and image acquisition/processing Expertise in developing and applying agentic AI systems for biological knowledge extraction and regulatory networks

Skills and abilities

Knowledge of neuroscience (anatomy, pathological mechanisms etc.) Excellent oral and written communication skills Resourceful and able to act on own initiative, prioritise own work in response to deadlines, and organise own work without extensive supervision Good interpersonal skills with an ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting and to interact successfully with others and to learn new skills An understanding of the mission of the UK DRI, an interest in its research work and a commitment to supporting high-quality research

Desirable Criteria

Knowledge on biology of ageing and autophagy Experience with molecular biology and biochemistry techniques (western blot, IP, cloning, reporters, viral packaging)

Interview / Practical Test)

Interview / Practical Test)

Apply

To apply for this position visit: ucl.ac.uk/jobs Please complete the online application form and use the supporting statement section to outline your interest in joining the Bourdenx Lab, and how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please also upload a recent CV.

If you have any queries regarding the application process, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, 23 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG (email: ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).

For informal enquiries about the role please contact Dr m.bourdenx@ucl.ac.uk).

please contact the Institute HR Team, Mathieu Bourdenx (email: The post is available from 01 November 2026 and funded by the Medical Research Council to 31 October 20207 in the first instance.

Salary

The post is graded as UCL Grade 7 with salary in the range £47,186 - £55,099 per annum, including

London Allowance.

Progression through the salary scale is incremental. Cost of living pay awards are negotiated nationally and are normally effective from 1 st August each year.

Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be as Research Assistant/Grade 6B (salary £40,603 - £43,749 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis. It is expected that you will have had your viva prior to commencing in post.

Probation

Appointments are subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a probationary period of nine months.

Hours of work

Full time, 36.5 hours per week; times of work are as determined by the line manager or Director.

Hybrid working arrangements

The nature of this role requires you to spend most of your time working on-site (On-site First) and you are expected to spend 100% of your working hours on campus.

Annual leave

Annual leave is 27 working days for a full-time member of staff + 6 UCL closure days in addition to 8 Bank Holidays.

Pension

Appointments are superannuable under Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).

Other benefits

UCL is a dynamic, global university based in one of the most exciting capital cities in the world. Not only does working at UCL offer the opportunity to work with some of the greatest intellects in the world, it also offers competitive terms, conditions and benefits to its staff. In our 2025 staff survey, 95% of ION staff rate the Institute as an enjoyable place to work and over 90% feel that the Institute has a positive working culture.

As part of the UCL community you can access free lunch hour lectures, exhibitions and museums and collections. On campus UCL has the Bloomsbury theatre hosting a range of performances and a series of bars, cafes, and other facilities, which UCL staff can use.

In addition to 41 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays and closure days) and generous pension schemes, UCL provides a number of other staff benefits.

UCL benefits and policies apply equally, whatever the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of employees. Benefits and policies relating to employees’ partners includes both different sex and same sex partners.