UCL Institute of Neurology

Huntington’s disease (HD) Research Centre

Applications are invited for a Research Associate with a psychology background to join the Huntington’s Disease Centre in the Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, to work on the TREAT-HD project, an innovative study funded by the Wellcome Trust and led by Professor Sarah J Tabrizi, that seeks the further understanding of neurodegeneration using HD as a model disorder.

The postholder will primarily drive the neuropsychological research aims of our HD Young Adult Study (HD-YAS), supporting aim III of the TREAT-HD project: to determine the best time to treat individuals carrying the HD gene by characterising young adult gene carriers up to 20 years before expected disease onset. This key post provides an exciting opportunity to gain both research and clinical experience in neurodegenerative diseases, Huntington’s disease, neuroimaging research and cognitive neuroscience, and to become involved in early phase clinical trials. S/He will be an integral part of the new HD Research Centre, participating in the multidisciplinary HD team, under the primary supervision of Professor Tabrizi. The Centre will lead the way in developing and testing novel therapies and determining the earliest time frame for intervention.

Applicants should have a PhD in Psychology or related discipline or equivalent experience, and an Honours Degree (min 2:1) in Psychology or related discipline. Experience of neuropsychological testing research participants is essential, as is an interest in neurodegenerative disease, and excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience of regulatory requirements and research governance, of working in a multi-disciplinary team, of working in Huntington’s disease, and of peer-reviewed publication of research is desirable. An honorary clinical contract with UCLH NHS Foundation Trust will be obtained, for which a DBS check will be required.

The post is available from 1 February 2017 and is funded by a grant from the Wellcome Trust for three years in the first instance. Starting salary on UCL Grade 7 in the range £34,056 - £37,936 pa including London Allowance, superannuable.

You should apply for this post through UCL's online recruitment – www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/jobs where you can download a job description and person specification using ref: 1597238.

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Samantha Robinson, HR Officer, Institute of Neurology, 23 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG (email: ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).

Informal enquiries concerning the post can be made to Professor Sarah Tabrizi (s.tabrizi@ucl.ac.uk) or Dr Rachael Scahill (r.scahill@ucl.ac.uk).

Interviews will be held on the 6^th December 2016

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