Research Fellow in molecular and Developmental Neurobiology

About us

Biosciences is one of the world’s foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences and one of the largest Divisions within UCL, undertaking a significant amount of research and teaching. The Division has a diverse portfolio addressing all areas of biology from protein interactions to cell function, organism development, genetics, population studies and the environment. Computational modelling approaches are frequently used alongside experimental research programmes and much of our research crosses traditional boundaries, including the relationship of biodiversity to the health of the planet. Activity is underpinned by high calibre science technology platforms and state of the art equipment. Educational activity includes a range of undergraduate programmes, an expanding number of Masters Programmes and a substantial number of postgraduate research students.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Fernandes Lab in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology.

We are generously funded by the Wellcome Trust to investigate how developmental processes coordinated to build functional circuitry.

About the role

Determine how neurons can establish morphogen gradients in their target fields in molecular and cell biological terms.

We discovered that photoreceptors regulate the neuronal diversity of their target field, the lamina, through a Hedgehog morphogen gradient (see: https://www.fernandesflylab.com/publications.html). Unlike other known morphogen gradients, which emanate away from the source, here the gradient forms along the lengths of photoreceptor axons. For this project, we will use a multidisciplinary approach combining genetic manipulations, live-imaging and computational modelling to build a generalisable framework to explain how neurons can establish instructive gradients in their target fields. are timed to enable rapid commitment to a particular neuronal fate.

This post will be available from September 2023, it is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of August 2027 in the first instance with possibility of extension.

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.

Interview Date(s) are scheduled for: May-June 2023. A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Vilaiwan Fernandes at Vilaiwan.fernandes@ucl.ac.uk.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact Biosciences staffing at biosciences.staffing@ucl.ac.uk.

About you

You must have a PhD in a relevant subject area; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at research assistant Grade 6B (salary £34,502 - £36,348 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis (including corrections).

You will design, conduct and analyse experiments using genetic tools in Drosophila melanogaster. You will be an active member of a multidisciplinary research team seeking to combine genetic manipulations, live-imaging and computational modelling to build a generalisable framework to explain how neurons can establish instructive gradients in their target fields.

You will assist the team in the development, planning and delivery of research funded by the Wellcome Trust.

You will be expected to produce independent and original contributions to the subject area.

You have a quantitative background and/or interest in computational modelling. The Hadjivasiliou group (Francis Crick Institute and UCL Physics) will contribute to the computational modelling aspect of the project so you will need to liaise closely with them throughout the lifetime of the project.


In addition to developing and conducting the research, you will communicate results as scientific papers and in scientific presentations at local, national, and international conferences.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
On-Site nursery
On-site gym
Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
Discounted medical insurance

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 : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/