Research Fellow - Human Electrophysiologist

Overview

The Department of Neuromuscular Diseases is a centre of clinical and research excellence spanning spinal cord and neuromuscular disorders. Our researchers aim to understand disease mechanisms and translate these insights into new therapeutic approaches for neurological conditions. The Nascimento Research Group is a newly established laboratory within the department, focused on translational neuroscience and the study of spinal motor circuit neurophysiology in both animal models of disease, including ALS, and in human patients.

The group uses a range of electrophysiological approaches in rodents alongside high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) in humans. We are seeking a Research Fellow to investigate motoneuron and spinal microcircuit dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) using human neurophysiology. The project will use high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) to study motor unit behaviour and spinal circuit function in patients with ALS and healthy participants, with a focus on identifying early biomarkers and mechanistic signatures of disease progression.

Working within a leading UK MND clinical and research centre, you will have access to a large and well-characterised patient cohort. You will also contribute to the development of analytical approaches, including signal decomposition and computational modelling, to advance understanding of neuromuscular disease mechanisms.

Starting date and funding:
The position is available from 01 October 2026 and is funded by Wellcome until 30 September 2029 in the first instance.

• Investigate motoneuron and spinal microcircuit dysfunction in ALS using human neurophysiology.
• Use high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) to study motor unit behaviour and spinal circuit function in patients with ALS and healthy participants, with a focus on identifying early biomarkers and mechanistic signatures of disease progression.
• Contribute to the development of analytical approaches, including signal decomposition and computational modelling, to advance understanding of neuromuscular disease mechanisms.

• PhD in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Physiology or a closely related discipline (or near completion), with experience in human neurophysiology and/or spinal cord electrophysiology, and a good understanding of single neuron and motor unit physiology.
• Proven ability to critically evaluate experimental results and analyse data using appropriate statistical methods, with experience writing up findings for publication; evidence of a good publication record; solid quantitative background with proficiency in data analysis and statistics including experience with relevant analytical software (e.g. Matlab, R or Python).

• Starting salary offered at £41,103 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.
• Appointment as Research Fellow is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be as Research Assistant (salary £39,148 - £41,833 per annum) with appointment as Research Fellow backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.
• Funding:
  Wellcome; duration until 30 September 2029 in the first instance.
• For a full job description please visit UCL's online recruitment portal and search using vacancy reference B02-10672. To apply, upload a current CV, complete the online application form, and use the supporting statement section or upload a cover letter to outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Do not upload additional attachments as these will not be considered by the selection panel.
• We offer benefits; visit  to find out more.

For questions about applying or reasonable accommodations, contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin at ). For informal enquiries about the role please contact Dr Filipe Nascimento (f.nascimento at ).

Closing date: 23:59, Sunday, 28 June 2026. We expect to hold interviews on 20 July 2026.