Research Technician Full-time

Research Technician

We are seeking a talented research technician to join an innovative project using lake sediment DNA to uncover how ecosystems and populations respond to environmental stress over the past 300 years. The research technician will be responsible for laboratory procedures associated with extracting DNA from subfossils and ancient lake sediments, building genomic libraries, and carrying out PCR amplification for metabarcoding workflows. This will involve working with low-concentration and degraded DNA, applying strict contamination control procedures, and using standard molecular biology techniques such as PCR and sequencing workflows.

You will be embedded in an intellectually vibrant, interdisciplinary environment at UCL and NHM, working with:

Prof Julia Day

Dr Selina Brace

Carl Sayer

• This is a fixed-term role available from 1 July 2026 to 30 August 2029.
• This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Academic Staff. Please visit UCL's human resources policies for more information.

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Prof Julia Day at j.day@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.

You must have:

• Biological Sciences degree or relevant subject area.

Experience in the following is essential:

• Relevant technical/scientific qualification in or good understanding or equivalent experience in ancient DNA and/or sedimentary ancient DNA
• Experience of working in a technical role in a research environment, specifically with low-concentration and degraded DNA in dedicated facilities
• Experience of working in the research area of ancient DNA / sedimentary ancient DNA
• A meticulous approach to practical work and record keeping

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

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 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 Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.