Research Fellow – Mouse Electrophysiologist in London

The Department of Neuromuscular Diseases is a centre of clinical and research excellence focused on understanding the causes and mechanisms of neuromuscular disorders and translating these findings into therapeutic advances.

The Nascimento Research Group is a newly established laboratory within the department, investigating spinal motor circuit neurophysiology in animal models of disease, including ALS, and in humans. We use a range of electrophysiological approaches in mice alongside high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) in humans. We work closely with the Brownstone and Beato groups at UCL and are embedded within a collaborative research environment with access to extensive core facilities, including surgical, behavioural, histology, and microscopy resources.

About the role: We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow to study neuromuscular and spinal circuit pathophysiology in mouse models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). We have recently shown that spinal microcircuits undergo some of the earliest alterations in ALS, preceding motoneuron death by months (Nascimento et al. Cell Rep 2024). These changes are likely part of pro-homeostatic mechanisms that preserve motor output during early disease stages despite ongoing neurodegeneration. Such alterations may be multiphasic across disease progression, and emerging evidence suggests that the intrinsic resilience of spinal circuits may play a critical role in determining the rate of functional decline.

This project aims to characterise the time-course of alterations in spinal microcircuits, motoneurons, neuromuscular junctions, and muscle, and to determine how these changes impact motor behaviour in mouse models of ALS. You will employ a range of neurophysiological recording techniques in mice, including in vitro motoneuron recordings from spinal cord preparations, in vivo motoneuron recordings from intact animals, and ex vivo neuromuscular junction recordings from nerve‑muscle preparations.

The position is available from 1 October 2026 and is funded by the Wellcome Trust until 30 September 2029 in the first instance. We expect to hold interviews on 20 July 2026.

About you: You will have a PhD in a Neuroscience‑related discipline (or be near completion), with experience in electrophysiology, in vitro patch clamp recordings and/or in vivo recordings. A good understanding of neuronal physiology and single cell electrophysiology is essential, as is a proven ability to critically evaluate experimental results and analyse data using appropriate statistical methods, with experience writing up findings for publication. Evidence of a good publication record and a solid quantitative background with proficiency in data analysis and statistics is also a requirement.

This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.

What we offer: Starting salary offered at £41,103 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance. Appointment as Research Fellow is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be as Research Assistant (salary £39,148 – £41,833 per annum) with appointment as Research Fellow being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis. As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits, some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays 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
• On‑site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

We will consider applications to work on a part‑time, flexible, and job share basis wherever possible.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: The Institute prides itself on operating in an all‑inclusive environment irrespective of personal, physical, or social characteristics. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and we are committed to advancing the careers of everyone. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives; visit our EDI website for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an Athena SWAN Gold award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality. As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, 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. 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, LGBTQI+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles.