Lecturer/Associate Professor in NeuroAI and Computational Neuroscience Full-time NEW

Lecturer/Associate Professor in NeuroAI and Computational Neuroscience

The Division of Biosciences has one of the UK's broadest computational and AI-driven life-science programmes. Modern machine learning, generative modelling, and statistical inference are applied to fundamental questions across the Division's full scope: from genome and protein modelling to cellular imaging, neural circuit dynamics, and planetary-scale biodiversity. Sustained recruitment at the computational/biological interface has built a community where theory, code, and experiment sit alongside each other, and that work is now being consolidated under a single AI for Life framework, with coordinated investment in academic posts, computational infrastructure, and training.

Within the Division of Biosciences, the Research Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology (CDB) and Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology (NPP) have consistently been rated as world-leading. CDB is an internationally renowned centre for interdisciplinary research, spanning animal development, stem cell biology, functional and evolutionary morphology, neuroscience, organelle biology, and cell signalling. In NPP, research groups are exploring nervous system function across a range of scales that span from the biophysical operation of ion channels through to network dynamics and whole animal behaviour. Both departments have significant and growing strength in NeuroAI and computational neuroscience and this is captured by our divisional “NeuroAI” centre which brings together computational and experimental expertise. The new appointees will join a uniquely strong UCL neuroscience ecosystem — alongside the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre and the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit within the Faculty, and a longstanding UCL tradition in systems and computational neuroscience that includes the 2014 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. The two posts will also form a complementary strand of UCL's wider NeuroAI initiative.

NPP and CDB are seeking to make two new Lecturer / Associate Professor appointments. One post will be based in CDB and one in NPP. In your application, please state your preferred department. The successful candidates will be integral members of the NeuroAI centre, establish internationally competitive research programmes, deliver innovative teaching to our diverse student body, and advance our mission to create meaningful impact within academia and society at large.

NPP and CDB are expanding their research programmes at the interface of neuroscience, AI, and computational biology through a coordinated initiative formalised within the Biosciences NeuroAI centre. These appointments are also part of a Faculty-wide computational biology initiative and the successful applicants will join a growing community of researchers working at the forefront of computational neuroscience and data-driven biological discovery.

As a new Lecturer / Associate Professor, you will:

• Develop an internationally competitive research programme that advances the frontiers of NeuroAI and computational neuroscience, with opportunities for substantial grant funding and access to UCL's world-class computational infrastructure.
• Inspire the next generation of scientists through innovative teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, particularly developing curriculum in computational modelling, machine learning applications, and data science approaches to neuroscience.
• Mentor and supervise research students, fostering the development of future leaders in the field while building your own research group.
• Forge interdisciplinary collaborations across UCL's extensive network of computational and neuroscience researchers, including potential partnerships with the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, the Centre for Artificial Intelligence, the SWC, and the growing computational biology community within Biosciences.
• Contribute to departmental initiatives, knowledge exchange activities, and public engagement.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Academic Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/policies/2021/jun/conditions-service-academic-staff for more information.

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 NeuroAI or Computational 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 an innovative researcher and educator at the intersection of neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and computational biology. The role is well suited to candidates who are primarily computational, but we strongly welcome applicants who combine computational and experimental approaches. We welcome candidates at different career stages, including those with non-traditional academic paths.

A PhD in a relevant quantitative discipline (neuroscience, computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering, or related field), with a research focus that bridges neuroscience and computational or AI methods

A strong and developing international research profile (sustained at Grade 9), with peer-reviewed publications in NeuroAI, computational neuroscience, or a closely related field demonstrating clear scientific trajectory

Evidence of securing external research funding (sustained at Grade 9), or a credible and specific plan to do so, aligned with your research vision

Advanced computational skills relevant to neuroscience or bioscience research, including proficiency in scientific programming and familiarity with machine learning or data analysis frameworks

Demonstrable experience of teaching at university level, including course design or delivery of lectures, practicals, or seminars in neuroscience, computational science, or AI

Evidence of productive collaborations across disciplinary boundaries, such as joint publications or grants with researchers from different fields

In this role, you will:

• Produce high-impact publications and research outputs that advance the field of NeuroAI
• Secure external funding to build and sustain your research programme
• Develop and deliver computational teaching in neuroscience, with emphasis on machine learning applications and data science methodologies
• Contribute to curriculum development and take a leadership role in advancing our degree programmes
• Engage with the wider academic community through seminars, conferences, and collaborative projects
• Participate in knowledge transfer and public engagement activities that showcase the impact of your research
• Help shape departmental strategy and contribute to UCL's broader mission and goals

We particularly value candidates who demonstrate academic leadership potential and a commitment to fostering an inclusive research and teaching environment.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits such as:

• Salary (dependent on skills and experience): Grade 8 – £54,931 – £62,903 inclusive of London allowance, Grade 9 – £68,284 – £74,166 inclusive of London allowance
• 41 Days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Hybrid working
• Final Salary Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

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.

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/.