Research Fellow Full-time NEW

Research Fellow

The Department of Experimental Psychology is seeking to appoint a Research Fellow, funded by a UKRI grant (ERC underwrite), to study sensory and spatial processing in rodents within the laboratories within the Institute of Behavioural Neuroscience (IBN), in the Saleem Lab within the Institute.

The IBN is a hub of UCL's behavioural neuroscience community. Our researchers are interested in how low-level neural processes such as the actions of genes, proteins, neurons and neural circuits collectively translate to high-level processes such as behaviour, thinking, emotion and consciousness.

The IBN currently has five PIs, all working with rodents and exploring various aspects of the neural encoding sensation, perception, cognition and action.

About the Role

Applications are invited for the position of a Research Associate to join the Saleem Lab within the Institute of Behavioural Neuroscience at University College London, led by Prof. Aman Saleem. The post offers an exciting opportunity to use state-of-the-art experimental approaches to measure neural activity underlying sensory, memory systems and behaviour. The post-holder will carry out characterization of neural circuits with two-photon imaging in mice navigating virtual reality environments. Additionally, data analysis using MATLAB (or Python) will be used to analyse neural activity in populations of neurons. A variety of procedures related to ongoing experiments in the lab such as surgeries, perfusions, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy will also be performed.

The position is funded for 6 months in the first instance. We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible. This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 60% on site.

About You

The successful applicant will hold a BSc or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline (Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Medicine or a related field), and will have relevant laboratory experience, although training will be provided during the initial period. Experience working with rodent behaviour is essential. A Home Office personal License and techniques such as electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, microscopy and experience in data analysis in MATLAB/Python are desirable.

What We Offer

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

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 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; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/