Ref Number
B02-10536
Professional Expertise
Research and Research Support
Department
School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)
Location
London
Working Pattern
Full time
Salary
£36,433-£41,833
Contract Type
Permanent
Working Type
On site
Available for Secondment
No
Closing Date
04-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 Fedorec Research Group, a multidisciplinary team working in synthetic/engineering biology – a field at the interface of biology, mathematics, and engineering. We are interested in understanding, creating, and controlling complex biological systems, with a particular focus on synthetic microbial communities and their application in industrial, medical, and environmental settings.
We are seeking a motivated and skilled Research Assistant to develop lab automation methods as part of our BBSRC-funded project focused on engineering robust, modular, synthetic microbial communities. This is a fantastic opportunity to work on foundational research with huge potential to be applied to pressing global challenges in medicine, manufacturing, environmental remediation etc.
You will implement a lab automation platform for high-throughput, semi-continuous, co-culturing of microbes. You will integrate liquid handling and lab-ware moving robots with measurement instruments to create robust and reproducible protocols. You will collaborate closely with experimentalists and theorists in the group.
This role is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of 01/01/2028 in the first instance.
Starting salary offered in the range £39,148 - £41,833 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.
A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below. To apply, please upload a current CV, complete the online application form, and use the supporting statement section or upload a cover letter to outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
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.
If you have any queries about the role, please contact Dr Alex Fedorec 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.
A strong candidate will have:
- A BSc (or higher) with a large computational component e.g. computer science, electrical/mechanical engineering etc.
- Experience with robotics and lab automation
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English
- Excellent team-work skills with an ability to work collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary setting
- Motivation, organisational skills, independence, and ambition to drive a successful project.
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 Bronze 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/
