Research Fellow Full-time NEW

Research Fellow

Prof Bart Vanhaesebroeck is Professor of Cell Signalling at the UCL Cancer Institute. The work of the Cell Signalling Group is focused on the PI3K/PTEN signalling axis and its involvement in the development and maintenance of cancer, covering basic and translational studies.

We are seeking a talented, collaborative and self-motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join an interdisciplinary team at the interface of chemical biology, drug discovery and cell signalling, developing pharmacological modulators of PI3K, including pioneering small-molecule activators of the PI3K pathway, to complement our biological investigations.

The post is funded for 1 year in the first instance with a start date of 01 December 2026. Interviews will be held in November 2026 (date to be confirmed). Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B, with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

Applications should include a CV and a Cover Letter: In the Cover Letter please provide evidence of the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification part of the Job Description. (By including a Cover Letter, you can leave blank the 'Why you have applied for this role' field in the application form, which is limited in the number of characters it will allow.)

You will hold a PhD in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related discipline, with a strong track record of research excellence, including peer-reviewed publications. You will bring hands-on experience in multidisciplinary, drug discovery-focused research, with expertise spanning areas such as protein biochemistry, molecular biology, cell-based assays and biophysical or structural biology approaches.

You will be an enthusiastic, proactive and self-motivated scientist with the ability to design, troubleshoot and deliver high-quality experiments, analyse complex data and communicate findings effectively through publications, reports and presentations. You will be highly organised, able to manage research activities independently, and committed to maintaining accurate records and rigorous scientific standards.

Most importantly, you will be a collaborative team player who enjoys working across disciplines and with a range of academic and external partners. You will share UCL's commitment to creating a positive, supportive and inclusive research environment, while demonstrating strong problem-solving skills, adaptability and a willingness to contribute to the wider success of the laboratory and Institute.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.

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.

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