Research Technician

Research Technician  (Part Time, Fixed Term) Location

Brighton, UK

Part time of 0.6 FTE / 21.9 hours per week.

Grade 4 starting at £26,093 to £29,588 per annum, pro rata if part time. This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.

Fixed Term Contract

A Research Technician is available in the laboratory of Professor Claudio Alonso to study the mechanisms underlying neural development and function in Drosophila.

How the molecular biology of neurons relates to the development and function of neural circuits is an open question in modern neuroscience. The new Research Technician will support the development of this research.

You will become a core member of the Alonso lab interacting closely with other group members, and our UK and international collaborators. Together, we will apply the latest methodologies, including molecular biology, transcriptomics, neurogenetics, optogenetics, optical neuronal imaging, neurophysiology, microscopy and quantitative behavioural approaches to gain mechanistic understanding of the molecular underpinnings of neuronal development and physiology.

Our lab is part of the Neuroscience Department which houses a cluster of leading labs investigating neural function in vertebrates and invertebrates, and an active member of Sussex Neuroscience a university Centre of Excellence, that brings together a large, vibrant and interdisciplinary community of world-class neuroscientists providing an excellent collaborative setting for our research.

The successful candidate will usually be educated to Level 3 - NVQ Level 3, BTEC award, certificate and diploma level 3, GCE AS and A Level, Advanced Diplomas (England). You should have a background in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience (or related disciplines) and familiarity with Drosophila culture, development and genetics. You will be able to show evidence of previous engagement in conducting and/or supporting research activity, have excellent communication and organisational skills, be able to set priorities and meet deadlines, and – once instructed on a given task – be capable to work independently, on own initiative, without close supervision, as well as be a team player supporting other colleagues.

As a pioneering research-driven and interdisciplinary Faculty, the University of Sussex Business School offers an inspiring and supportive environment for impactful business and management research and scholarship. Our five dynamic Departments—Accounting and Finance, Strategy and Marketing, Management, Economics, and the renowned Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU)—are dedicated to advancing academic excellence and practical insights to inform policy and drive responsible business solutions.

With a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability, the School shapes the future of business education, producing research and scholarship and graduates that make a difference in the UK and globally. By joining us, you will be part of a distinctive, future-focused community influencing real-world practices and promoting sustainable development.

In the School of Life Sciences, we strive to understand the mechanisms that drive biological and chemical processes and to develop innovative and diverse approaches to enhance human health, technology and the environment. We undertake multidisciplinary research, teaching and engagement across a wide range of subjects, from Chemistry through Cellular and Molecular Biosciences to Conservation Biology.

The School comprises five Departments:
Biochemistry & Biomedicine, Genome Damage and Stability Centre, Neuroscience, Ecology & Evolution and Chemistry. We also house the Sussex Drug Discovery Centre which works to deliver the bench-to-bedside translation of our discoveries. The breadth and depth of our cutting‑edge research and innovative teaching practice is delivered by a diverse community who work across boundaries to deliver excellence, engage with real world problems and produce impact.

We pride ourselves on our world‑leading research and have a strong research economy, with approximately 50% of our income…