Medical Laboratory Support Worker jobs

About us

UCL Institute of Ophthalmology conducts cutting-edge research, attracting principal investigators, post-doctoral fellows and MD/PhD students of the highest international calibre to a stimulating research environment. The Institute is committed to a multi-disciplinary research portfolio that furthers an understanding of the eye and visual system linked with clinical investigations targeted to specific problems in the prevention and treatment of eye disease.

About the role

The appointed Research Assistant will join the De Rossi Lab at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, a vibrant and growing research group investigating how blood vessels become damaged in blinding eye diseases. The De Rossi lab aims to uncover and therapeutically target new mechanisms driving ocular vascular disease, with a particular focus on the early events that lead to irreversible vascular damage.

This Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard-funded project will explore vasoregression: the loss and remodelling of retinal blood vessels. While this process is essential during normal development, it becomes pathologically accelerated with ageing and in diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and Alzheimer’s disease. By understanding why retinal vessels regress, the project aims to identify new opportunities to prevent vascular dysfunction before vision is lost.

The salary for this post will be on G6b, Point 25 (£39,148 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance).

This role does not meet the eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa certificate of sponsorship under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL will not be able to sponsor individuals who require right to work in the UK to carry out this role.

The position is available from 01/09/2026 and is funded until 29/02/2028 in the first instance

About you

The successful candidate will hold an MSc or MRes in a subject relevant to the project, such as ophthalmology, vascular biology, cell biology or a related biomedical discipline. They will have practical laboratory experience, including aseptic cell culture, and familiarity with standard molecular and cell biology techniques such as PCR, qPCR, western blotting and immunostaining.

The ability to work both independently and be self-motivated/self-starting is essential for the role.

The candidate will be required to obtain a personal license to work with animals (if they haven’t got one already).

Application Process

If you have any queries regarding the vacancy please contact Dr Giulia De Rossi (giulia.derossi@ucl.ac.uk)

If you have any queries regarding the application process please email ioo.hr@ucl.ac.uk.

A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

To apply for the vacancy please click on the 'Apply Now' button below.

Please ensure you attach your CV and highest academic qualification. In addition, please ensure you provide a personal statement outlining how you meet the criteria to support your application. Please DO NOT attach research papers.

What we offer

Working with some of the greatest intellects in the world, UCL also offers a generous pension scheme and holiday allowance, plus closure and bank holidays as well as enhanced parental pay and more. 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 Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.