Research Fellow in Epilepsy

UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology

Job Description

Research Fellow

Research Department: Epilepsy

Reports to

Director, Professor Mike Hanna

Head of Research Department and Principal Investigator, Professor Gabriele Lignani Research Fellow

Line manager: Professor Gabriele Lignani

Context

Grade: 7

Location: Queen Square House/On-site First Structure of the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology The mission of the Research Department of Epilepsy is to transform the lives of people living with epilepsy for the better by identifying, understanding and correcting or preventing the underlying mechanisms leading to the epilepsies and associated comorbidities in each individual person. Our vision is to build upon the excellence and breadth of our research, seamlessly integrating basic and clinical science. The main departmental research themes are: Basic Research in neurophysiology, imaging, neurogenetics, neuropharmacology and neuropathology; Translational Research using animal models of epilepsy, human tissue and in-vivo data from cohorts of patients with specific epilepsy syndromes; Clinical Research centred on: epidemiology, health service, comorbidities, genetics, neuroimaging, neurophysiology, neuropsychiatry, neuropsychology, neuropathology, epilepsy surgery and clinical trials.

The work will be based in the Experimental Epilepsy Group which sits within the Department; research within the Group spans across fundamental mechanisms of vesicle fusion and synaptic transmission,

ion channel biology, experimental models of epilepsy, the function of neural circuits, and neurological diseases modelled in rodents and flies.

Main purpose of the job

You will use molecular and cell biology tools to develop and characterize novel AAV-based gene therapies in iPSC-derived neurons. The project is central to a BBSRC-funded programme of research in collaboration with Royal Veterinary College aimed at optimizing gene therapy for refractory epilepsy, to test them in a clinical trial in drug-resistant epileptic dogs.

The post is available from September and funded by BBSRC until 31 August 2027 in the first instance.

Duties and responsibilities

 Test specificity of therapies in iPSC-derived neurons by expressing transgenes under the control of different promoters with viral vectors.

 Maintain iPSC cells and iPSC-derived neurons.

 Design and refinement of promoter sequences.

 Manage and maintain immaculate written and electronic data files.

 Attend and contribute to regular project meetings, helping to ensure that the laboratory work will deliver the project milestones.

 Comply with all relevant health, safety and quality standards to ensure that legislative and regulatory body requirements are met and observe strict confidentiality.

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 or equivalent in Neuroscience or a related discipline Experience of iPSC-derived neuron protocols Experience of molecular biology techniques Experience of basic bioinformatic analysis Experience of neurological disease modelling

Knowledge of viral vectors

Skills and abilities

IT proficiency at advanced user level (electrophysiological and imaging data processing, statistical analysis programs) Excellent oral and written communication skills Strong problem-solving abilities Good interpersonal skills with an ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting

Desirable Criteria

Knowledge of translational neuroscience and clinical trials

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 Lignani research group in the Department of Epilepsy 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, please contact the Institute HR Team, 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 Professor Gabriele Lignani (email: g.lignani@ucl.ac.uk).

The post is available from September and funded by BBSRC until 31 August 2027 in the first instance.

Salary

The post is graded as UCL Grade 7 with salary in the range £46,261 - £54,019 per annum, including

London Allowance.

Progression through the salary scale is incremental. Cost of living pay awards are negotiated st nationally and are normally effective from 1 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 £39,807 - £42,891 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 at least 95% 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 the 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.