Current Vacancies

SWC is looking for a Group Leader to advance human systems neuroscience. 

We are seeking an exceptional scientist to lead a transformative initiative in human systems neuroscience. This is a unique opportunity to translate our understanding of neural computation - from circuit-level mechanisms to computational principles - into the human brain, through the establishment of cutting-edge human neural recording capabilities with collaborators in London and abroad. 

The opportunity
You will lead an ambitious research program that translates circuit-level understanding from animal models to humans through advanced neural recording techniques, particularly single-unit recordings. You will spearhead collaborative infrastructure development linking SWC with University College London (UCL), UCL Hospital (UCLH), Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), and the Francis Crick Institute, and drive international partnerships to advance next-generation technologies for human neural recording.

SWC group leaders receive generous core funds for five years (renewable) and are supported by state-of-the-art facilities including prototyping and fabrication, high-through whole brain imaging, virology, histology and in-house high-performance computing facilities, accommodated in a purpose-designed building.

Close interaction with the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, located within the Centre, enables collaborations in data analysis, computational modelling, machine learning and theory. SWC also benefits from interaction with the wider UCL Neuroscience community, which brings together more than 450 principal investigators, and clinical partners at UCLH and GOSH.

Who we're looking for
We are looking for an outstanding scientist with:

• A strong track record in systems neuroscience with a background in the mechanistic understanding of neural circuits and computation.
   
• Proven expertise in human neural recording techniques, particularly single-unit recordings.
   
• Vision and leadership to establish innovative research infrastructure across multiple institutions. 
   
• Commitment to collaborative science and bridging basic and clinical neuroscience communities.

Candidates need to have a PhD in neuroscience or a cognate area and substantial postdoctoral research experience at the time of application. Experience in establishing clinical research infrastructure/collaborations or technology development is highly desirable.

A shared goal of SWC group leaders is to generate experimentally testable theories of brain function in a culture that encourages bold research, innovation, and collaboration.

We particularly welcome female applicants and those from an ethnic minority, as they are under-represented within SWC at this level.

How to apply
Please visit UCL Jobs and search for vacancy reference number: B02-10140 and click 'Apply Now.'

Please upload the following to your application:

• Your CV 
   
• A cover letter explaining your interest in joining SWC and your suitability for this position. 
   
• A research proposal outlining your research that bridges human and animal neuroscience.
   
• The names and contact details of three referees. 

The full job description and person specification can be downloaded here.

Apply by 31st March 2026

All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application.

Interviews are expected to be held in May 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to deliver a presentation on their research to members of the UCL neuroscience community at SWC, followed by a chalk talk with a search committee.

Contact us
For further enquiries, please contact the Chair of the Search Committee, Professor Tom Mrsic-Flogel, t.mrsic-flogel@ucl.ac.uk.

Any other queries relating to the vacancy or how to apply should be directed to the SWC HR team, swc.hr@ucl.ac.uk

•    Reference: B02-10137
•    Salary: £54,931 -£62,903  p.a.
•    Working Type: Hybrid, Full-time
•    Closing date: 16 March 2026

About the role
We are looking for an excellent Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a joint project between the labs of Sonja Hofer and Tim Behrens at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre (SWC). The goal of this project is to determine how neocortical and subcortical circuits interact to mediate flexible behaviour. The project will focus on the neural circuit mechanisms underlying goal switching and behavioural strategy selection, by mapping algorithmic theories of behaviour onto specific microcircuits and pathways.

The applicant will use a multidisciplinary approach, including in vivo imaging, high-density electrophysiological recordings (e.g. Neuropixels), behavioural assays, and molecular and genetic tools to record from, manipulate, and trace defined neural populations, with particular emphasis on interactions between the median raphe nucleus, frontal cortex, and hippocampus.

About you
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a PhD in neuroscience or a related field (or who will have submitted their thesis prior to starting), and a strong interest in understanding neural circuits and behaviour. The successful candidate will have experience in rodent-based research, including handling, stereotaxic surgery, behavioural training, and neural circuit dissection techniques, as well as experience with in vivo electrophysiological recordings or imaging approaches with single-cell resolution. The postholder will be expected to design and drive independent research projects, contribute original ideas for new research directions and funding applications, and analyse complex datasets using programming tools such as Python, R, or MATLAB, supported by a solid understanding of statistics.

Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential, with the ability to write for publication and present research clearly. The role requires strong organisational skills, the ability to manage multiple activities in parallel, a collaborative and ethical approach to research, and motivation to contribute to the mission and research environment of the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre as a world-leading research institute.

This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa

The full job description and person specification (pdf) can be downloaded here.

What we offer
SWC offers staff an award-winning work environment in the heart of Fitzrovia with state-of-the-art facilities, an on-site brasserie and access to pleasant outdoor spaces.

The Centre also offers the full range of UCL staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement, occupational pension schemes, excellent family-friendly policies such as occupational shared parental pay, a work-life balance policy, and a range of financial benefits such as a season ticket loan scheme and staff discounts.

How to apply
To apply, visit 'UCL Jobs' and search for vacancy reference B02-10137. Click on “Apply Now” to enter the recruitment portal and start your application.

You will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. More information on this can be found in the candidate guidance.

•    Reference: B02-10222
•    Salary: £54,931 -£62,903  p.a.
•    Working Type: Hybrid, Full-time
•    Closing date: 5 April 2026

About the role
The SWC is pioneering open-source approaches (such as Aeon) to study behaviour and brain function over long time scales (days to weeks). Processing and analysing this data represents a considerable challenge due to the scale and the complexity of such long-term recordings (e.g. drift of electrophysiological recordings).

We are inviting applications for a research software engineer to be based in the Neuroinformatics Unit, working with the laboratories of Tom Mrsic-Flogel, Tiago Branco and Tim Behrens.

You will be responsible for developing, optimising, and using efficient tools to process and visualise large volumes of extracellular electrophysiological data (such as from Neuropixels probes) and behavioural data (such as from video recordings). This will include contributing to open-source packages such as "SpikeInterface" and "Movement" and implementing them within SWC pipelines (e.g. using DataJoint). A key part of the role will be to efficiently process large-scale data recorded by researchers at SWC (e.g. from Aeon), and ensuring that data is processed accurately and efficiently.

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Adam Tyson (adam.tyson@ucl.ac.uk).

This post is funded until September 2028 in the first instance with the possibility of extension subject to grant funding.

You can download the full job description and person specification here.

About you
You will have strong programming skills in Python along with extensive experience working with timeseries data. The ideal candidate will have experience working with extracellular electrophysiology and building data pipelines.

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.

How to apply
To apply, visit 'UCL Jobs' and search for vacancy reference B02-10222. Click on “Apply Now” to enter the recruitment portal and start your application.

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.