Ref Number
B02-10551
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
03-Jun-2026
The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of over 900 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, driving a step change in our understanding of neurodegeneration, and accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of interventions that will help diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent dementia.
Research from UK DRI at UCL covers the journey from the patient to the laboratory and back to the patient with improved diagnosis, biomarkers and candidate therapies put to the test. Led by Professor Karen Duff, UK DRI Centre Director, the team will address the key unanswered mechanistic questions that link genetic and lifecourse factors to dysfunction in molecular pathways, in cells and in neural systems during the progression of the dementias. This work will be enhanced by clinical resource to link lab work to the clinic.
The Schiavo Lab's research programme aims to elucidate the mechanisms of axonal transport regulation and tau dynamics in healthy and diseased neurons, while identifying new targets to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and other neurodegenerative diseases characterised by impaired axonal transport.
Project: Investigating the Regulation of the Synaptic Release of Pathological Tau and Linked Biomarkers
The neuron-to-neuron transfer of pathological tau enables its spreading through interconnected brain regions and strongly correlates with disease progression and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia. In previous studies, we characterised the synaptic compartment harbouring pathological tau at synapse and mediating its release. We also identified novel critical regulators of this process, i.e., specific SNARE proteins and metabotropic glutamatergic receptors (mGluR2/3) whose modulation prevents pathological tau release (Mazzo et al., JPET 2002; Masato et al., submitted). The project aims to expand the identification of new modulators of pathological tau spreading, and linked biomarkers. Thus, we plan to map the post-translational modification (PTM) signature of pathological tau secreted at rodent and human AD synapses, characterise the tau-associated secretome, and identify pharmacological modulators of this process. These new findings will be pivotal for the identification of new therapeutic targets modulating the release of pathological tau, which in turn are necessary for slowing down AD and related tauopathies.
You will have the opportunity to use a variety of techniques, including molecular, cellular and functional approaches, state-of-art imaging techniques, proteomics, and iPSC-derived neurons.
The post is available from 25 August 2026 and funded by Eli Lilly and Company via UK DRI Ltd until 31st March 2029 in the first instance.
If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team ([email protected]).
Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Dr Anna Masato ([email protected]) and Professor Giampietro Schiavo ([email protected]).
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. Please do not upload any additional attachments as these will not be considered by the selection panel.
You’ll have an undergraduate and/or Master’s degree in Neuroscience, Biology, or a related field, experience in neurobiology research, including biochemical approaches, and experience with cell biology techniques. The ability to maintain high standards of research excellence and experimental reproducibility, good interpersonal skills, and the ability to act on your own initiative is also essential for this role.
Starting salary offered in the range £39,148 - £41,833 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer 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
- 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.
We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible, and job share basis wherever possible.
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.
The Institute prides itself on operating in an all-inclusive environment irrespective of personal, physical, or social characteristics. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and we are committed to advancing the careers of everyone. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives; visit our EDI website for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an Athena SWAN Gold award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.
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+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles.
