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Bioinformatician / Researcher / Scientist
Senior Research Software Engineer (Multiphoton Microscopy) Full-time NEW
About us
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
We are inviting applications for a research software engineer to be based in the Neuroinformatics Unit, working with the laboratories of Tom Mrsic-Flogel, Sonja Hofer and Tim Behrens in collaboration with the Advanced Microscopy Facility.
Our research seeks to understand how the frontal regions of the brain build circuits for cognition (e.g. planning, reasoning, abstraction). The challenge is to identify the precise neural microcircuits that underpin cognitive computations. To achieve this, we image the activity of neurons in a variety of task using benchtop and miniaturise two-photon microscopes, and then perform targeted holographic stimulation of identified neurons to probe their connectivity. This requires a complex pipeline of imaging, signal processing and alignment of multi-modal data sources.
You will be responsible for developing and optimising efficient algorithms to process functional brain imaging data including motion correction, segmentation and multimodal registration. These algorithms will then be integrated within existing software packages for data acquisition, analysis and visualisation.
This post is funded until September 2028 in the first instance with the possibility of extension subject to grant funding.
Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Adam Tyson (adam.tyson@ucl.ac.uk).
A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below. To apply, please upload a current CV, complete the online application form, and use the supporting statement section or upload a cover letter to outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please do not upload any additional attachments as these will not be considered by the selection panel.
About you
You will have strong programming skills in Python along with extensive experience working with numerical data such as images and timeseries. The ideal candidate will have experience in either image registration or working with multiphoton calcium imaging.
You should have a strong interest in building easy to use software to help advance neuroscience and be comfortable working in teams of researchers and software engineers. The ideal candidate will have experience of good software engineering best practices and working on, and with open-source software.
What we offer
The post is based in London, suitable for hybrid working with a minimum of 40% of time onsite. As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents SWC offers staff an award winning work environment with state of the art facilities an on site brassiere and access to pleasant outdoor spaces. SWC staff receive the full range of UCL benefits.
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. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here.