Research Technician (Fox Lab) Full-time

Research Technician (Fox Lab)

This post will support a newly developing translational immune engineering research programme led by Dr Thomas Fox, a Wellcome Trust Early Career Research Fellow and Honorary Consultant Haematologist at University College London. The programme sits within a highly collaborative UCL environment alongside Professor Emma Morris, Professor of Clinical Cell and Gene Therapy, and Professor Siobhan Burns, bringing together expertise in haematology, immunology, gene therapy and cell therapy translation. Our work focuses on developing next-generation gene and cell therapies for haematological malignancies and inherited immune disorders. We use genome editing, T-cell engineering, antibody-selection strategies and in vivo delivery technologies to create safer and more accessible therapeutic platforms. A major area of interest is epitope editing, where precise genetic changes are used to make therapeutic immune cells resistant to antibody depletion while preserving normal biological function. The postholder will join a growing, supportive and ambitious research environment with strong translational links and active grant funding. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated technician to contribute to the early development of a new research programme while benefiting from the mentorship, infrastructure and scientific breadth of an established UCL cell and gene therapy setting.

The Research Technician will support experimental work across several projects led by Dr Thomas Fox, working closely with postdoctoral researchers, students, Professor Emma Morris, Professor Siobhan Burns and wider collaborators. The role will involve routine tissue culture, primary human immune cell isolation and culture, T-cell genome editing, CAR-T cell engineering, flow cytometry, molecular biology and functional immune assays. The postholder will contribute to projects spanning epitope-edited T cells, antibody-mediated selection, in vivo immune engineering and translational gene therapy for immune and haematological diseases. One major funded strand combines CD52 epitope editing with targeted lipid nanoparticle delivery to enable in vivo generation and selection of CAR-T cells, building on preliminary data showing targeted LNP-mediated CAR-T generation and alemtuzumab-resistant CD52-edited T cells. The role will also include maintaining excellent laboratory organisation, preparing reagents, supporting ordering and record keeping, contributing to protocol optimisation and helping ensure experiments are performed reproducibly and safely. Depending on experience, there may be opportunities to support humanised mouse studies, sequencing workflows, CAR-T functional assays and collaborative translational projects.

This is a fixed term position available for 1 year.

We are looking for a motivated, well-organised research technician who enjoys working as part of a team. You should be collaborative, reliable and enthusiastic, with a positive approach to practical laboratory work and a willingness to learn new techniques. This is a friendly and supportive research environment, so we are looking for someone who will contribute not only to the science, but also to a collegial and constructive lab culture.

Experience in cellular or molecular biology would be valuable, particularly mammalian cell culture, primary immune cell culture, flow cytometry, PCR, cloning, sequencing preparation or functional immune assays. However, we do not expect one person to have experience in everything, and training will be provided where needed. The most important qualities are attention to detail, curiosity, good communication, and a proactive approach to experimental work.

This role would suit someone who is excited by the opportunity to join a developing research programme at an early stage, work closely with other scientists, and contribute to translational gene and cell therapy projects with clear clinical relevance.

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.

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