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 ( two posts)

​​​​​​Reference:       B02-06781
Salary:              £42,099 to £50,585 p.a. inclusive of London Allowance (UCL G7): £51,474 to £60,521 p.a. inclusive of London Allowance (UCL G8)
Working Type: Full time
Closing date:   Saturday 25 May 2024 at 23:59


About the role
We are looking for two excellent Post-Doctoral Research Fellows to join the Duan and Erlich Labs at the SWC. Our labs aim to understand how neural circuits generate flexible, cognitive behaviors. In particular, we use freely-moving and head-fixed rodent paradigms to study economic decision-making under risk, uncertainty and social influence, and the circuit mechanisms underlying these choices. In the role, you will design and implement independent research projects, and be involved in a range of activities both independently and in collaboration with others. Activities may include animal behavioral training, recording and/or imaging from identified neural populations, neuronal perturbation, setting up experimental equipment, data analysis, computational modeling, and scientific communication, including writing up manuscripts for publication and grant writing.

About you
The post-holder will have research 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, high density electrophysiological recordings, or computational modelling of behaviours and/or neural dynamics would be desirable. The Grade 8 post-holder will supervise a small team of researchers, students, or laboratory staff, and work in a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment. Strong communication and critical thinking skills, as well as a dedication to teamwork and collaboration, are essential. This post is funded for two years in the first instance with the possibility of extension subject to successful grant application/renewal. Please specify in your application which grade you would like to be considered for. The first stage online interviews will be held on the 6th and/or 7th June followed by on-site interviews 3 weeks later.

What we offer
The SWC offers staff an award-winning work environment in the heart of Fitzrovia with an onsite brasserie, access to 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, career break 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 B02-06781. Click on “Apply Now” to enter the recruitment portal and start your application.

Download the full Job Description and Person Specification.

Supporting Animal Technician (Neurobiological Research Facility)

Reference:      B02-06750
Salary:             £28,144 - £29,533 per annum inclusive of London Allowance 
Working Type: On site, Full time
Closing date:   Sunday 28th April 2024 at 23:59

About the role
You will support the operation of the Neurobiological Research Facility (NRF) with responsibility for following strict animal health barrier procedures to maintain the cleanliness of the facility. This includes operating equipment such as autoclaves, rack-washers and bottle-washers, as well as handling cage preparation and distribution and general house-keeping duties. Throughout the fulfilment of these duties you must maintain a hygienic and tidy approach in keeping with fire, health and safety, and bio-security protocols. You will be required to work occasional unsociable hours to meet the demands on the service; this will include some paid overtime working (up to two weekends per month) and UCL closure days.

About you
You will have a minimum of 5 A*- C or 9-4 GCSEs or equivalent qualification in Science, an interest in animal care and welfare and computer literate with the ability to use databases and systems related to record keeping. You will also Excellent attention to detail, ability to efficiently, effectively and safely use machinery, ability to safely handle and move bulky or heavy items on a daily basis and able to work effectively and collaboratively as a member of a team.

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, career break policy  and a range of financial benefits such as a season ticket loan scheme and staff discounts. Further information can be found online.

How to apply
To apply visit UCL’s vacancy listings and search for vacancy reference B02-06750. Click on “Apply Now” to enter the recruitment portal and start your application.

Download the full Job Description and Person Specification (PDF)

Senior Animal Technician (Neurobiological Research Facility)

Reference:      B02-06765
Salary:             £34,605- £39,980 per annum inclusive of London Allowance 
Working Type: On-site, full-time
Closing date:   Sunday 28th April 2024 at 23:59

About the role
We are looking for a Senior Animal Technician to join our close-knit team and support animal husbandry, care and welfare within the SWC Neurobiological Research Facility (NRF), the Centre's in-house animal unit. You will work on your own initiative to provide day-to-day care of the animals, and as a senior member of the Technicians team you'll work closely with the Centre's scientists to oversee breeding programmes and ensure Home Office standards of husbandry and welfare are met. You'll also help to train and develop colleagues in basic techniques, assist with the development and implementation of standard operating procedures and ensure you are up-to-date with project licences in use at the Centre. The nature of this role means that you will be required to work outside of standard office hours to meet the needs of the animals; this will include working one in three weekends and occasional unsociable hours.

About you
You'll hold a Home Office personal licence and an IAT qualification, and have a good working knowledge of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and EU Directive. You'll have extensive knowledge of small animal procedures and will be fully conversant with transgenic technology. An understanding of bio-security and disease transfer is essential, and experience of supervising or managing a small team would be desirable. Great communication and team working skills are key as is the ability to work on your own initiative and unsupervised on a daily basis.

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, career break policy  and a range of financial benefits such as a season ticket loan scheme and staff discounts. Further information can be found online.

How to apply
To apply visit UCL’s vacancy listings and search for vacancy reference B02-06765. Click on “Apply Now” to enter the recruitment portal and start your application.

Download the full 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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