ABOUT US

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative supporting research to fill the major knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause dementia.
Based within the UK DRI at UCL, the Duff Lab focuses on understanding and finding treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which are both linked to harmful changes in a protein called tau. These changes, known as tauopathies, cause damage in the brain and lead to dementia.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Duff lab (working with the lab of Professor Jernej Ule at Kings College London) seeks a highly motivated, experienced, and self-driven individual to work on an exciting project that aims to look at context-dependent regulation of gene expression in cell, mouse and human systems in response to tau tangle formation and cellular clearance pathways. The project aims to identify suitable gating elements to be used to control the expression of genetic therapies in human AD and FTD-tau.
The project will involve the identification and analysis of RNA mediated gene regulators that respond to the cellular environment exposed to tau pathogenesis and TRIM11 clearance, and to the construction of novel components to control AVV transgene expression and return the cellular environment to homeostasis. The project will combine the Duff lab’s skills in cellular and mouse modelling of AD and FTD, and the Ule lab’s skills in RNA biology.
The post is immediately available and funded by Wellcome until 31 August 2027 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 (ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).
Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Professor Karen Duff (k.duff@uck.ac.uk).
A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below.
Please complete the online application form and use the supporting statement section to outline your interest in joining the Duff research group, and how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
Please do not include any additional appendices/attachments in your application; these will not be reviewed by the selection panel.

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