Job vacancies at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre

Join our friendly international community of over 150 staff here at Sainsbury Wellcome Centre where we support extraordinary people to tackle extraordinary problems.

Comprising of 12 research groups made up of Postdoctoral Researchers, PhD Students, Research Assistants and Master’s Students who all are working towards understanding how the brain drives behaviour. Alongside, are professional and scientific staff who provide indispensable expertise to support SWC’s mission

Current vacancies

Find the latest vacancies below and apply online via the UCL jobs websiteYou can also follow us on Twitter @SWC_Neuro for the latest job opportunities or sign up for regular job alerts on the UCL application portal.

Research Fellow/ Senior Research Fellow (Akrami Lab)

•    Reference: B02-06498
•    Salary: G7: £42,099 to £50,585 or G8: £51,474 to £60,521 p.a. incl. of London Allowance
•    Working Type: On-site, Full time
•    Closing date: 18 March 2024


About the role
We are looking for an excellent Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the Akrami Lab at the SWC. The project will focus on learning and exploiting sensory statistics in the brain and machines. You will be involved in a range of activities, including animal behavioural training, electrophysiological recordings, neuronal perturbations, setting up experimental equipment, data analysis and computational modelling.


About you
You will have extensive experience in areas ranging from behavioral experimentation, in vivo electrophysiology and imaging, neural circuit manipulation to computational/theoretical neuroscience. Prior experience with two-photon imaging or high-density electrophysiological recordings would be highly desirable. You will be expected to work in a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment, and strong communication and critical thinking skills, as well as a dedication to teamwork and collaboration, are essential. Please specify in your application which grade you would like to be considered for.


What we offer
SWC offers staff an award-winning work environment in the heart of Fitzrovia with an onsite brasserie, secure bicycle storage, 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’s vacancy listings and search for vacancy reference B02-06498. Click on “Apply Now” to enter the recruitment portal and start your application.


Download Job Description

IT Support Specialist

•    Reference: B02-06602
•    Salary: G7: £42,099 to £50,585 per annum incl. of London Allowance
•    Working Type: On-site, Full time
•    Closing date: 24 March 2024


About the role
We are seeking an IT Support Specialist who will be part of the IT Team here at SWC, working onsite with the IT Relationship Manager and 2 x IT Support Specialists, closely supporting the wider Scientific Computing team. The main duties include providing specialist IT support, problem solving, providing 1st and 2nd line support, Monitor and maintain security of IT systems and services, maintain documentation and Educate, knowledge share, train and support. They will work collaboratively across research groups within SWC to ensure that services meet the current and future needs of the institution.


About you
You will hold a degree or equivalent, preferably in a science or technology discipline, or substantial relevant business experience; experience and expert knowledge in at least one of the following areas: End user and server hardware, Lab/Scientific IT, Research Applications, Network/Security, Advanced OS support, Office 365 development, Application packaging and deployment, IT Procurement. Additionally you will have a high level of knowledge and experience in a number of core competencies, including client devices, operating systems, networking protocols, standard software packages, Active Directory, printers, file storage systems. Essentially to the role the ideal candidate will have the ability to see the whole picture, get to the root of issues and to understand the true required outcomes of customer requests, excellent problem-solving skills including an ability to diagnose complex hardware and software faults and the ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities. Other person specifications can be found in the job description document.


What we offer
The SWC offers staff an award-winning work environment in the heart of Fitzrovia with an onsite brasserie, access to lockers and changing facilities, secure bicycle storage, 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’s vacancy listings and search for vacancy reference B02-06602. Click on “Apply Now” to enter the recruitment portal and start your application.


Download Job Description

Research Technician

•    Reference: B02-06633
•    Salary: G7: £42,099 to £50,585 per annum incl. of London Allowance
•    Working Type: On-site, Full time
•    Closing date: 7 April 2024


About the role
We have an opportunity for a Research Technician to contribute to the work of the research groups of Tim Behrens and Thomas Mrsic-Flogel at SWC. You will support their research programme and directly contribute to research projects studying the neural circuit mechanisms of how animals make decisions based on sensory information and the animal’s prior knowledge and mental state in instinctive and learned tasks. This will include performing aseptic, stereotaxic surgeries, handling and care of mice, training mice in behavioural tasks, performing opto- or chemogenetic manipulation of specific brain circuits, imaging and electrophysiological recordings of live preparations, carrying out histological work, helping to collect and analyse data with other team members as well as other general laboratory tasks.


About you
You will have prior experience of working within a research laboratory and of handling rodents, and ideally knowledge in some surgical methods and in basic analysis of scientific data. Some programming skills in python, MATLAB or similar environments are desirable, as well as the ability to maintain or repair experimental setups. Excellent organisation and communication skills and the ability to work independently, proactively and reliably are essential. You will be expected to work in a collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment, and to communicate regularly with other lab members and SWC staff. This post is funded for two years in the first instance with the possibility of extension subject to funding.


What we offer
The SWC offers staff an award-winning work environment in the heart of Fitzrovia with an onsite brasserie, access to lockers and changing facilities, secure bicycle storage, 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’s vacancy listings and search for vacancy reference B02-06633. Click on “Apply Now” to enter the recruitment portal and start your application.


Download Job Description

Project Manager

•    Reference: B02-06652
•    Salary: G8: £51,474 to £60,521 per annum incl. of London Allowance
•    Working Type: On site, full time
•    Closing date: 7 April 2024

About the role
Based in our award-winning building, this is an exciting opportunity to oversee the day-to-day management of SWC’s construction of an 800m2 extension to our current floor area of 14000 m2. The project value is circa £20M with typical medium small works in the £5,000 to £250,000 range. You will engage with the SWC 5th Quad Senior Project Manager, the principle design team and principle contractor to ensure a robust management process is in place for the project, in line with governance processes. The role is fixed-term for one year.

About you
You will bring significant knowledge and understanding of building systems and their management including BMS software, access control and CCTV. Previous experience of working in a supervisory role in electrical or systems engineering is essential. Hands-on commercial building services knowledge and experience with fabric and general facilities are essential. In addition, you will have good surveying and report writing skills along with an in-depth understanding of mechanical, electrical, HVAC and plant engineering. You will have the ability to operate in a complex environment, with the political skills and acumen to develop productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and command trust and confidence.

What we offer
The SWC offers staff an award-winning work environment in the heart of Fitzrovia with an onsite brasserie, access to lockers and changing facilities, secure bicycle storage, 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’s vacancy listings and search for vacancy reference B02-06652. Click on “Apply Now” to enter the recruitment portal and start your application.

Download the job description and person specification (PDF).

 

Want to know more? Read our Why join SWC? page to learn about our values and commitments, state of the art Centre, staff benefits and awards.

Interested in joining us? Find out more about How to Apply.

For general enquiries please contact the SWC HR team swc.hr@ucl.ac.uk, +44 (0)20 3108 8011.

 

 

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