Research Fellow

About us

Biosciences is one of the world’s foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences and one of the largest Divisions within UCL, undertaking a significant amount of research and teaching. The Division has a diverse portfolio addressing all areas of biology from protein interactions to cell function, organism development, genetics, population studies and the environment. Computational modelling approaches are frequently used alongside experimental research programmes and much of our research crosses traditional boundaries, including the relationship of biodiversity to the health of the planet. Activity is underpinned by high calibre science technology platforms and state of the art equipment. Educational activity includes a range of undergraduate programmes, an expanding number of Masters Programmes and a substantial number of postgraduate research students.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Prof. Nick Lane’s group at UCL.

The group uses both experimental and computational methods to investigate how energy flow structures metabolism and genetics at the origin of life and over evolution.

Prof Nick Lane works on how energy flow structures metabolism and genetics at the origin of life and over evolution. He uses both experimental and computational methods to address these questions. This project is an ambitious attempt to develop a framework for the origin of life grounded in energy flow that stretches from CO₂ fixation to the origin of the genetic code. It is highly cross-disciplinary and involves co-investigators across three divisions. The UCL team includes Prof Andrew Pomiankowski (expertise in mathematical modelling of heredity and selection); Dr Amandine Maréchal (expertise in bioenergetics and analytical chemistry), Prof Finn Werner (expertise in chemistry and evolution of RNA polymerase); Prof Beppe Battaglia (expertise in protocells and amphiphile chemistry); Prof Jo Santini (expertise in anaerobic microbiology and redox metals); Prof Nicolas Szita (expertise in microfluidic engineering and process chemistry); Dr Stefanie Frank (expertise in FeS free-radical chemistry) and Prof John Ward (expertise in carbon-carbon bond formation).

About the role

The project is funded by a BBSRC sLoLa grant entitled “Origins of Biology: How energy flow structures metabolism and heredity at the origin of life.” We have potentially more than one fellowship positions available, each for 2 years. These fellowship positions could focus on experimental work, exploring the non-enzymatic synthesis or aqueous polymerization of small molecules relevant to protometabolism at the origin of life, or more theoretical work exploring the effect of models of heredity with selection at the level of the protocell. The posts will be available from January 2024, and are funded for 2 years with possibilities for extension.

Interview Date(s) are scheduled for: January 2024.

This role is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of 30.01.2026 in the first instance.

Research Fellows – ‘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 £34,502 – £36,348 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis.’ https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/sites/human_resources/files/2023_-_24_ucl_non-clinical_grade_structure_with_spinal_points_december_2023_update_1.2.pdf

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 70% 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.

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

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 Biosciences staffing at .

About you

Key Requirements

A PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, earth sciences, engineering, physics, maths or related fields. Strong interest in the origins of metabolism using life as a guide, and strong track record in origins of life research or related fields. Experience could be in experimental work, for example analytical chemistry (GC-MS, HPLC, NMR, etc) or more theoretical modelling with experience in Matlab, R, etc, or computational chemistry such as molecular dynamics simulations.

You will assist the team in the development, planning and delivery of research funded by BBSRC.

In addition to developing and conducting the research, you will communicate results as scientific papers and in scientific presentations at local, national, and international conferences.

What we offer

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.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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 department 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/