Ref Number
B02-10555
Professional Expertise
Research and Research Support
Department
School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)
Location
London
Working Pattern
Full time
Salary
£43,981-£52,586
Contract Type
Fixed-term
Working Type
On site
Available for Secondment
No
Closing Date
10-Jun-2026
The Division of Biosciences at UCL is one of the world's foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences. We have an outstanding international reputation and a community of over 500 staff and more than 300 PhD students engaged in cutting edge research and collaboration.
Further information can be found on our website https://www.ucl.ac.uk/biosciences
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Camus Lab, a friendly and ambitious research group studying mitochondrial genetics and evolution in natural populations. You will work in a small, collaborative and supportive team committed to excellent, reproducible science.
The main purpose of this position is to lead experimental and computational work on the project “Harnessing natural heteroplasmy: evolutionary blueprints for programmable mitochondria.” This job is part of an Advanced Research + Invention Agency-funded project, subject to contract negotiations.
Mitochondria are essential organelles whose genomes (mtDNA) often coexist as mixed populations within cells — a state known as heteroplasmy. This project uses bees as a powerful natural model to investigate how heteroplasmy is generated, maintained and selected, with the long-term aim of informing strategies for programmable mitochondrial engineering. The Research Fellow will design and carry out molecular and genomic experiments, analyse next-generation sequencing data, contribute to publications and conference presentations, and help shape the direction of the project.
Interviews are scheduled for: May/June
Would like the applicant to start in the summer/early autumn if possible.
This is a fixed-term role for 2 years.
- Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B (salary £38,607–£41,255 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.
- We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.
- This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 80% on site.
- 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.
- This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Academic Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/policies/2021/jun/conditions-service-academic-stafffor more information.
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 Dr Florencia Camus at [email protected].
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 the HR Administrator.
You will be a motivated researcher ready to take ownership of an exciting, interdisciplinary project at the interface of mitochondrial biology, evolutionary genetics and pollinator science. Over the course of the post you will deliver high-quality molecular and genomic datasets on bee mtDNA heteroplasmy, contribute to publications, and present your findings at international conferences.
You must have a PhD (awarded or thesis submitted) in genetics, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, genomics or a closely related discipline, and proven knowledge of molecular biology and/or genomics research techniques.
Experience working with insect models (bees, Drosophila or other invertebrate systems) is desired, but not essential. Demonstrable expertise in next-generation sequencing and downstream bioinformatic analysis are essential.
The UCL Ways of Working supports colleagues to be successful and happy at UCL through sharing expectations around how we work – please https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/policies-advice/ways-working to find out more.
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Immigration loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.
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.
Our division holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.
You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/
