Research Technician

Ref Number B02-11161 Professional Expertise Laboratory Technical and Lab Support Department School of Life \& Medical Sciences (B02) Location London Working Pattern Full time Salary £36,433-£42,891 Contract Type Fixed-term Working Type On site Available for Secondment Yes Closing Date 16-Sept-2026 About us ------------ The Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences is a world-leading group that brings together expertise across the clinical and basic science spectrum of the physiology and pathology of human movement and movement disorders. The Department incorporates groups from the Queen Square and Royal Free campuses of the Institute and includes the Reta Lila Weston Institute and the Movement Disorders Centre. About the role ------------------ We are seeking a Research Technician with a computational focus to join a multi-brain bank digital pathology project funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF). The initiative brings together international digital pathology collections, in partnership with the 10k Brains project, to advance pathology-based research in neurodegenerative diseases. You will help build and maintain the technical backbone of the project across three connected strands: the research database and the interfaces researchers use to work with it; AI agents and analytical tooling that allow project scientists to query data and run statistical analyses; and computational digital pathology, including anatomical segmentation and the development of models to detect and quantify neuropathology. You will also contribute to AI extraction of structured metadata from clinical records and to the ground-truth datasets used to validate it. The post is available immediately and funded by a grant from the Michael J Fox Foundation awarded to Dr Zane Jaunmuktane for one year in the first instance. Remote working arrangements can be considered for this post in consultation with the line manager. If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk). Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Dr Zane Jaunmuktane (z.jaunmuktane@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 a BSc (minimum 2:1) in a relevant subject (e.g., Computer Science, Data Science, Bioinformatics, Neuroscience or a related discipline) and an MSc in a relevant subject (or expected to be awarded within three months of appointment). Programming experience in Python, experience of designing, building, and querying databases, and of applying machine learning and/or statistical modelling to real-world data is essential for this role. Additionally, you will have knowledge of large language model and/or AI agent approaches and their application to data querying or text-based information extraction, with the ability to apply and critically evaluate them, and demonstrable flexibility and adaptability, with a track record of learning unfamiliar tools and technologies quickly and moving between different technical workstreams as priorities change. This role does not meet the eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa certificate of sponsorship under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore UCL will not be able to sponsor individuals who require right to work in the UK to carry out this role. What we offer ----------------- As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer 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 * 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. We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible, and job share basis wherever possible. This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information. Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion ------------------------------------------------------- The Institute prides itself on operating in an all-inclusive environment irrespective of personal, physical, or social characteristics. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and we are committed to advancing the careers of everyone. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives; visit our EDI website for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an Athena SWAN Gold award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality. 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+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles.