Ref Number
B02-11112
Professional Expertise
Research and Research Support
Department
School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)
Location
London
Working Pattern
Full time
Salary
See advert text
Contract Type
Fixed-term
Working Type
On site
Available for Secondment
No
Closing Date
20-Sept-2026
The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre (SWC) brings together world-leading scientists to investigate how brain circuits process information to generate perception, form memories and guide behaviour. Developed through the vision and partnership of the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and Wellcome, and with substantial investment from these partners, the mission of the SWC is to generate experimentally testable theories of brain function.
The Centre comprises 13 highly interdisciplinary experimental research groups accommodated in a new, purpose-designed building, offering an outstanding and unparalleled research environment. SWC scientists use a broad spectrum of the latest advances in molecular and cellular biology, imaging, electrophysiology and behavioural techniques and enjoy state-of-the-art research laboratories, cutting edge scientific equipment, technologically advanced prototyping and fabrication laboratories and custom in-house high-performance computing facilities.
The SWC FabLab (Fabrications Laboratory) is seeking a collaborative and strategic leader.
The primary purpose of the FabLab is to deliver innovative scientific solutions to the stakeholders, supporting research to understand how the brain processes information relevant to learning and behaviour. Such set-ups currently include, for example, virtual reality environments, continuous automated delivery of food and monitoring of behaviour, advanced microscopy technologies such as miniaturised head-mounted two-photon systems, all of which require bespoke and custom designed solutions.
Future research is likely to rely on novel instrumentation that will be developed in-house, in collaboration between researchers and the FabLab team.
As Head of FabLab, you will lead our state-of-the-art facility and a highly skilled team to deliver world-class innovative solutions for complex scientific challenges.
You will champion our MakerSpace, enabling researchers and students to explore ideas through independent, rapid prototyping while fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration and technical excellence. A key aspect of the role will be building, developing and managing relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders across the organisation.
Working in close partnership with Group Leaders, postdoctoral researchers, PhD students and other scientific staff, you will help deliver innovative, world-class solutions to tackle the most challenging questions in neuroscience.
You will oversee the delivery of complex, large-scale projects involving multiple stakeholders, where iterative design, prototyping and advanced manufacturing approaches are required to achieve robust and impactful outcomes.
The position is grant funded until 31 October 2030 in the first instance.
Interviews will take place on Thursday 8th October.
For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Robb Barrett: [email protected]
You have a proven ability to build strong working relationships to achieve successful research outcomes.
With a strong background in the conception, design and manufacture of scientific instrumentation, you are comfortable leading multidisciplinary projects and teams.
You will bring expertise in one or more of the following areas:
You thrive in a research environment, enjoy solving complex technical challenges, and are passionate about turning innovative ideas into high-quality scientific tools and technologies.
The SWC offers staff an award-winning work environment in the heart of Fitzrovia with 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.
SWC prides itself on offering a high quality administrative, technical and operational support function, and fully supports the professional development and progression of its staff, actively encouraging colleagues to learn new skills and broaden their experience.
SWC is supported in this aim by UCL’s Organisational Development team who run a wide range of training programmes for all staff types and grades.
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.
The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, maths, and medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. SWC is delighted to have received an Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2021. We stand by our commitment to positive action to improve equality and accessibility in the workplace. We will provide reasonable adjustments to enable people to work and flourish with us.
SWC is proud to uphold both UCL’s Dignity at Work and Work-Life Balance policies. As Centre we commit to fostering a positive cultural climate where all staff and students can thrive and and actively support Wellbeing@UCL.
