Research Assistant

The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre (SWC) brings together world-leading scientists to investigate how brain circuits process information to generate perception, form memories and guide behaviour. Developed through the vision and partnership of the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and Wellcome, and with substantial investment from these partners, the mission of the SWC is to generate experimentally testable theories of brain function. The Centre comprises 12 highly interdisciplinary experimental research groups accommodated in a new, purpose-designed building, offering an outstanding and unparalleled research environment.

SWC scientists use a broad spectrum of the latest advances in molecular and cellular biology, imaging, electrophysiology and behavioural techniques and enjoy state-of-the-art research laboratories, cutting-edge scientific equipment, technologically advanced prototyping and fabrication laboratories and custom in-house high-performance computing facilities.

Join the Stephenson-Jones Lab to explore how brain circuits transform information into purposeful action. We study decision-making and motivation by combining advanced behavioural tasks in rodents with cutting-edge techniques like optogenetics, in vivo electrophysiology, and imaging. We're looking for a highly motivated Research Assistant to support ongoing experiments and potentially lead independent projects. You’ll train animals, run behavioural and neural recording experiments, and help manage lab operations. Ideal for someone seeking hands-on experience before a PhD, this role suits candidates with strong organisational skills and a passion for neuroscience. This position is funded for one year, in the first instance.

You’ll have a degree in neuroscience, physics, or a related field, with hands-on experience in behavioural neuroscience or systems neuroscience research. Familiarity with rodent behavioural training and coding in Python or Bonsai is important, as is the ability to contribute to experimental design and data collection. We’re looking for someone who’s organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines. You should work well independently and as part of a team, with a strong sense of responsibility and integrity.

The SWC offers staff an award-winning work environment in the heart of Fitzrovia with access to pleasant outdoor spaces. The Centre also offers the full range of UCL staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement, occupational pension schemes, excellent family-friendly policies such as occupational shared parental pay, a work-life balance policy, and a range of financial benefits such as a season ticket loan scheme and staff discounts. SWC prides itself on offering a high quality administrative, technical and operational support function, and fully supports the professional development and progression of its staff, actively encouraging colleagues to learn new skills and broaden their experience.

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+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, maths, and medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. SWC is delighted to have received an Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2021. We stand by our commitment to positive action to improve equality and accessibility in the workplace. We will provide reasonable adjustments to enable people to work and flourish with us. SWC is proud to uphold both UCL’s Dignity at Work and Work-Life Balance policies. As Centre we commit to fostering a positive cultural climate where all staff and students can thrive and actively support Wellbeing@UCL, UCL community, supported by our Wellbeing.