Research Assistant – UCL Internal Applicants Only Full-time

Research Assistant – UCL Internal Applicants Only

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 13 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.

About the role

The Margrie Lab is seeking a collaborative and detail-oriented Research Assistant.

In this role, you will work closely with the Group Leader and Research Fellows to set up and run critical analyses, design new analytical packages, and support ongoing group experiments.

You will support the development of software programs as well as develop your own projects if desired. You will contribute to the design, implementation and analysis of experiments.

This role is for internal UCL candidates only. It is funded for one year in the first instance.

About you

You will have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Physics with a strong desire to contribute to innovative lab-based research.

Experience with reinforcement learning literature, theory and modelling along with experience of Python and Bonsai programming is essential.

Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex information effectively are also essential.

You will have excellent organisation skills and be confident working effectively alone, but also able to contribute and collaborate as part of a team.

What we offer

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.

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.

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.

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 and actively support Wellbeing@UCL.