Research Assistant Full-time

Research Assistant

We are seeking a motivated and skilled Research Assistant to develop lab automation methods as part of our BBSRC-funded project focused on engineering robust, modular, synthetic microbial communities. This is a fantastic opportunity to work on foundational research with huge potential to be applied to pressing global challenges in medicine, manufacturing, environmental remediation etc.

You will implement a lab automation platform for high-throughput, semi-continuous, co-culturing of microbes. You will integrate liquid handling and lab-ware moving robots with measurement instruments to create robust and reproducible protocols. You will collaborate closely with experimentalists and theorists in the group.

This role is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of 01/01/2028 in the first instance.

Starting salary offered in the range £39,148 – £41,833 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below. To apply, please upload a current CV, complete the online application form, and use the supporting statement section or upload a cover letter to outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit for more information.

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Dr Alex Fedorec at a.fedorec@ucl.ac.uk.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact the HR Administrator.

About You

A strong candidate will have:

• A BSc (or higher) with a large computational component e.g. computer science, electrical/mechanical engineering etc.
• Experience with robotics and lab automation
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English
• Excellent team-work skills with an ability to work collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary setting
• Motivation, organisational skills, independence, and ambition to drive a successful project.

What We Offer

The UCL Ways of Working supports colleagues to be successful and happy at UCL through sharing expectations around how we work.

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
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.

Our division holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: