Research Assistant Full-time

Research Assistant

You will support the design and delivery of behavioural and electrophysiological experiments investigating neural activity in animal models, including training rats in established behavioural paradigms and assisting with in vivo neural recordings. The role involves close collaboration with technicians, the Neurobiological Research Facility, and a postdoctoral researcher to ensure the effective coordination and execution of experiments. You will contribute to data collection, organisation and analysis, as well as the development of behavioural task protocols using MATLAB and analysis in Python.

You will be responsible for delivering reliable experimental support, ensuring accuracy and consistency in data collection, and contributing to the smooth running of behavioural and electrophysiological research activities within the lab. You will hold a degree (Bachelor's or Master's) in neuroscience, molecular biology or a related field, and have demonstrable experience working in a research laboratory.

You will bring hands-on experience conducting behavioural experiments in rats, alongside expertise in high-density electrophysiology in tethered, behaving animals, including associated surgical procedures and histological verification. You will also have practical experience handling, monitoring the health and welfare of rodents, including administering post-operative care.

You are a motivated and organised individual with strong communication skills, comfortable working both independently and as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team. You demonstrate initiative, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to supporting scientific research, with experience analysing behavioural and/or neural data in Python and contributing to experimental design.

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. The SWC is supported in this aim by UCL's Organisational Development team who run a wide range of training programmes for all staff types and grades.

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.