Lecturer in Cardiovascular or Metabolic Neuroscience

Within the UCL Division of Biosciences, the Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology (NPP) is internationally renowned for its fundamental research that incorporates cellular, molecular and systems-based studies of neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels, neurophysiology, neural networks, and associated signalling pathways. The Department embodies a rich research environment providing access to cutting edge techniques in all aspects of electrophysiology, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, systems neuroscience, and imaging. The Department has many interdisciplinary collaborative interactions, and affiliated staff, across the broad neuroscience research domain at UCL including close links to the Sainsbury-Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour and the Francis Crick Institute.

The Department is committed to providing the highest quality undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research training evidenced by flagship programmes that include the MSc Neuroscience, and provision of leads for two MRC-funded 4yr doctoral training programmes: in Neuroscience, and also Fundamental Mechanisms of Disease. The key missions of the Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology are to conduct world-leading and internationally-ranked research and excellent teaching, the latter serves the educational needs of undergraduate and post-graduate science and medical students.

The UCL Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience (CCMN) was founded in 2014 within NPP to study how nervous system dysfunction contributes to the development of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and metabolic disease. CCMN conducts preclinical research on topics including: gut-brain circuits and incretin hormones controlling energy homeostasis; brain energy metabolism and regulation of cerebral blood flow; autonomic dysfunction in diabetes and obesity; and autonomic control of the heart during exercise. CCMN academics provide advanced undergraduate teaching to students on Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biomedical Sciences, and MBBS courses, and CCMN hosts a vibrant community of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and postdoctoral fellows.

Biosciences holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, reflecting our sustained commitment to gender equality and our broader dedication to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We actively work to create an environment where all staff and students can thrive, regardless of background, and we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are underrepresented in neuroscience.

Cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes and dementia, represent major challenges to health and wellbeing globally. The nervous system is now widely recognised as key to the pathogenesis of these diseases, and is the primary targets for the majority of new therapies for these indications. NPP seeks to appoint a new Lecturer (Research & Teaching) in Cardiovascular or Metabolic Neuroscience, to complement existing areas of expertise within CCMN, and further strengthen research and teaching for this translationally important area.

As a new Lecturer, you will:

• Establish an independent and internationally competitive research programme in cardiometabolic neuroscience, with opportunities for substantial grant funding and access to UCL's world-class infrastructure.
• Inspire the next generation of scientists through innovative teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, particularly by advancing our curriculum in cardiovascular and/or metabolic physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience.
• Mentor and supervise research students, fostering the development of future leaders in the field while building your own research group.
• Forge interdisciplinary collaborations within CCMN and across UCL's wider network of metabolism and neuroscience researchers.
• Contribute to departmental initiatives, knowledge exchange activities, and public engagement.

As part of your application, you are required to submit as a cover letter, a two-page Vision Statement outlining your innovative ideas for advancing Cardiometabolic Neuroscience in both research and teaching contexts. This statement should articulate your unique perspective on the field's future and how your work would contribute to its development at UCL.

We are seeking applicants with expertise in Cardiometabolic Neuroscience, which is defined broadly in this context. It encompasses the following fields of study: central nervous control of circulation, control of eating behaviour and metabolism, and studies of autonomic mechanisms which contribute to the development of cardiovascular, metabolic and/or neurodegenerative disease. The approaches to study these could include (but are not limited to) computational modelling or bioinformatics, metabolomics / genomics / lipidomics, pre‑clinical studies using experimental animals, and/or clinical experimentations.

The recruit’s research profile will ideally align with one or more of the Faculty of Life Sciences’ strategic priorities: Computational Healthcare & Artificial Intelligence; Engineering Biology; and Disease Interception. Relevant approaches which align with these priorities could include deep learning based analyses of behaviour, physiology and/or neural activity; predictive AI‑based approaches for metabolic phenotypes or drug targets; modelling approaches to reduce and/or refine the use of animal models in cardiometabolic research; design / validation of novel therapeutic peptides / biologics; identification of strategies for early intervention to reduce cardiometabolic disease risks.

UCL has a strong track record of translating basic science discoveries into spinout companies and clinical practice, and this is a priority for the future, in accordance with UKRI funding priorities. We therefore particularly welcome applicants with a compelling vision for the translation of their research into preventative and/or therapeutic strategies to improve cardiometabolic health.

Full details of essential qualifications and skills are provided in the Job Description, which include:

• Possession of a PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject area.
• An innovative personal research agenda and an outstanding contribution to a body of knowledge in cardiovascular and/or metabolic neuroscience, and an international research profile.
• Evidence of potential to secure competitive external research funding.
• Experience of research-based teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate levels, and of effective supervision and mentoring of undergraduate, postgraduate and/or doctoral research students.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

As London’s Global University, we know that diversity and inclusion are fundamental drivers of creativity, innovation, and excellence, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong, thrive, and reach our full potential. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.