ABOUT US

The Department of Neuromuscular Diseases is a hub for clinical and research excellence across the spectrum of spinal cord and neuromuscular diseases. Our group of world-leading clinical, genetic, and basic science researchers focus their work on understanding the causes and biological mechanisms leading to Neuromuscular Disease and translating this knowledge into developing novel therapeutic solutions that is of direct benefit to neurological disorders such as motor neurone disease, Alzheimer’s disease and neuromuscular disease.
The Houlden Laboratory, based in the Department, researches genetic causes underlying rare neurological diseases, particularly neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We recently discovered PSMF1 as a new gene implicated in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and childhood neurodegeneration. We find that biallelic PSMF1 missense and loss-of-function variants co-segregate with phenotypes from early-onset PD and parkinsonism to perinatal lethality with neurological manifestations across 15 unrelated pedigrees with 22 affected subjects, showing clear genotype-phenotype correlation.
We are now recruiting a Research Fellow to join a team working on an exciting project on PSMF1. You will differentiate neurons from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells and perform a wide set of experiments to investigate the neurobiology of PSMF1 in humans. Five patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) will be immediately available for the project.
The post is available from 01 October 2025 and funded by Parkinson’s UK for one year in the first instance, with possibility of further extension.
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 (ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).
Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Professor Henry Houlden (h.houlden@ucl.ac.uk) and Dr Francesca Magrinelli (f.magrinelli@ucl.ac.uk).
A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below.

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 insuranc