UCL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGY, QUEEN SQUARE

The Institute of Neurology (ION; in Queen Square was established in 1950, merged with UCL in 1997, and is a key component of the Faculty of Brain Sciences (FBS), School of Life and Medical Sciences (SLMS), at UCL. The Institute haseight academic Departments, which encompass clinical and basic research within each theme. In parallel, there are currentlysix Divisionsrepresenting clinical professionalaffiliations.The mission is to translate neuroscience discovery research into treatments for patients with neurological diseases.

Research Departments:

  1. Brain Repair and Rehabilitation: Professor Xavier Golay
  2. Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy: Professor Matthew Walker,
  3. Clinical Neurosciences (Royal Free campus): Professor Tony Schapira
  4. Imaging Neuroscience: Professor Cathy Price
  5. Molecular Neuroscience: Professor John Hardy
  6. Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders: Professor Linda Greensmith
  7. Neurodegenerative Disease: Professor John Collinge
  8. Neuroinflammation: Professor Ken Smith

Divisions:

  1. Clinical Neurology: Professor Mary Reilly
  2. Neuropathology: Professor Sebastian Brandner
  3. Neurophysiology: Professor Martin Koltzenburg
  4. Neuropsychiatry and Neuropsychology: Professor Eileen Joyce
  5. Neuroradiology and Neurophysics: Professor Tarek Yousry
  6. Neurosurgery: Professor Rob Brownstone

In addition, a number of important research centres are based at the Institute of Neurology. These include:

Centres of Research Excellence:

  1. MRC Prion Unit- Professor John Collinge
  2. MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Disease- Professor Michael Hanna
  3. Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging- Professor Cathy Price

Other important Research Centres:

  1. Dementia Research Centre- Professor Nick Fox
  2. Huntington's Disease Centre- Professor Sarah Tabrizi
  3. Functional Neurosurgery Unit- Professor Marwan Hariz
  4. Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre (LWENC)-Dr Vincenzo Libri
  5. Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research- Professor Ray Dolan
  6. Multiple Sclerosis Centre
  7. Reta Lila Weston Institute- Professor Tom Warner

The UCL Institute of Neurology has a significant postgraduateteaching and training portfolio, with nearly 500 graduate students at Queen Square. The Institute employs over 600 staff, occupies some 12,000 sqm of laboratory, lecture room and office space, and has a current annual turnover of £75m.

The Institute is closely associated in its work with the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery (NHNN), University College London Hospitals' NHS Foundation Trust, and in combination they form a national and international centre at Queen Square for teaching, training and research in neurology and allied clinical and basic neurosciences. The Institute also has active collaborative research programmes with the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit,the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour and the Synaptopathies initiative. ION also works in close partnership with UCL Partners (UCLP), UCLH Biomedical Research Centre, National Brain Appeal, UCL Neursocience Domain, National Society for Epilepsy and UCL DARO.

Research Excellence

A large proportion of the Institute's funding is obtained from the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The most recent research assessment exercise, REF2014, showed that the IoN, as part of the FBS, is the first rated UK institution for neuroscience research output.

UCL came top overall in both the standard power measure and combined ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*) work in Unit of Assessment 4 Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience (UoA 4). Overall 83% of the submission was rated 4* or 3*, with 74% of research outputs given these ratings. The research environment was given a 100% world-leading rating and the impact was judged to be over 97% world-leading or internationally excellent. The Institute submitted 163 staff for evaluation, including 17 early career researchers. Over 92% of eligible staff were submitted to this UoA. For more information, see .

The Institute currently holds over 487 active grants, for research from the principal medical charities concerned with neurological diseases, and from government agencies such as the Medical Research Council. Generous support for research is also provided through grant awards from the Brain Research Trust and we also receive significant philanthropic support.

UCL Neuroscience is currently rated second in the world by ISI Essential Science Indicators, and four of the top twelve most highly cited authors working worldwide in neuroscience and behaviour are based at the ION. In the calendar year 2013, Institute staff published 1440 papers, 25 book chapters and 2 books (data from UCL Discovery), 48 papers were published in the top 50 of all scientific journals (ranked by Thomson impact factors), including Science, Nature, Lancet, Cell and New England Journal of Medicine. There are seven Fellows of the Royal Society at Queen Square. RAND report shows that UCL has the highest share of highly cited publications in Neurology in England. An independent report by RAND (2015) which examined highly-cited research, i.e. research publications falling into the top 20% for citations in their year and field, showed that UCL has the highest share of Highly Cited Publications (HCPs) in Neuroimaging (21.1%), Neurosciences (18.1%) and Clinical Neurology (15.6%) and in the Dementias Highlight Area (15.5%) – in all cases significantly more than the nearest competitor. Neuroimaging is one of only two subject areas covered in the analysis where one HEI has over 20% of all HCPs. Read the report and get the full details on the RAND website:

Teaching excellence

The UCL Institute of Neurology has a significant postgraduate teaching and training portfolio, with over 500 graduate students at Queen Square, and taught MSc/MRes courses in: Advanced Neuroimaging; Brain and Mind Sciences (an innovative two year, two centre programme); Clinical Neuroscience; Clinical Neurology; Neuromuscular Disease; Stroke Medicine, and Translational Neurology. A new distance-learning Diploma in Clinical Neurology was launched in Autumn 2011. Excellent graduate students of the highest quality are recruited to both ION and UCL-wide PhD programmes, including the ION hosted MRC DTA funded 4-year PhD in Clinical Neurosciences, and the Wellcome 4-year PhD in Neuroscience, which are supported through Research Council, charity and industry funded studentships. Institute staff contribute to undergraduate teaching of Clinical Neurology for the UCL Medical School, host an Elective programme for final year medical students and participate in the organisation of several CPD courses. For more information and a list of courses available please visit:

Equality & Diversity

The Institute prides itself for operating in an all-inclusive environment. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and there is a commitment to advancing the careers of everyone, regardless of gender or role. We aim to provide a family friendly environment where both women and men feel able to take the time they need for family. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. ION is delighted to have received an Athena Swan Silver Award in October 2015. Mentoring is a crucial part of supporting career progression. While UCL has an online mentoring scheme called u-mentor, we have added a specific mentoring scheme for female academics at the ION. Currently we have 27 mentors who have been trained by an external mentoring expert.

For more information on our Athena Swan initiatives please visit our webpage at:

Organogram, UCL Institute of Neurology

The Department

The Department of Molecular Neuroscience and the Reta Lila Weston Institute investigate the genetic, molecular and cellular processes which underlie a variety of neurological diseases. The department is structured in themes but these are not firm boundaries and the real strength of the department comes from its ability to interact and collaborate. This can perhaps best be illustrated by the departments work on the pathogenesis of parkinsonism. The identification of the gene PINK1 as responsible for a significant minority of early onset cases of Parkinson’s disease, allowed a detailed assessment of the role of the gene at a neurochemical, cell biological and pathological level. This involved the application of a range of skills and techniques. It is very likely that only through thesecross disciplinary approacheswill we be able to understand the complex pathways involved in neurological disease.

To enhance the department’s ability to develop its integrated approach to the research of the molecular pathogenesis of neurological disease we have significantly improved our infrastructure through the complete refurbishment of the laboratories in Wakefield Street to house theReta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies, in addition to theQueen Square Brain Bankand theSara Koe (PSP) Research Centre.

The translational elements of our work are important and we have close links with theNational Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Neurogenetics and Neurometabolic services and the Centre for neuromuscular disease.

UCL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGY

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post title:Clinical Research Associate

Department:Department of Molecular Neuroscience

Grade:UCL Grade CL7

Responsible to:Dr Paola Giunti, Principal Clinical Research Associate

Head of Department:Professor John Hardy, Chair of the Molecular Biology of Neurological Disease

Organogram

Director- Prof. Mike Hanna

HoD- Prof. John Hardy

PI- Dr. Paola Giunti

Clinical Research Associate

Job Summary

Project title:Tracking disease progression in the inherited ataxias to allow identification of novel biomarkers for use in clinical trials

The hereditary ataxias are a diverse group of disorders often causing severe neurological impairment and debility. They can be inherited in either an autosomal dominant or recessive manner. Their course, even amongst individuals with the same condition, is highly variable. To understand disease progression it is therefore necessary to assess patients over a longer period of time using standardised clinical assessment scales. The majority of these conditions have no specific treatment available but new therapies are being developed. To evaluate the efficacy of these new therapies it is essential to have reliable biomarkers against which to measure disease progress. This study aims to investigate several such biomarkers using novel biochemical and state of the art imaging methods. It will also plot the natural history of these conditions in the same large cohort of patients from three specialist ataxia centres over a protracted time course. We will investigate if any of these putative markers provide a good correlation with disease progression thus enabling them to be utilised as biomarkers in future clinical trials. The appointee will be given training in the clinical assessment of the ataxias as well as interpreting a variety of imaging modalities and new biochemical biomarkers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Management

To act as an independent agent in setting up appointments, and in the co-ordination of arrangements for patients

  • To ensure the highest standard of record keeping, maintaining accurate and appropriate patient records, including the strict confidentiality of all records

To attend Departmental and other meetings, as appropriate

  1. Teaching and R&D
  • To provide ad-hoc teaching for doctors, nurses, medical students, other health care professionals, and external organisations in both formal and informal settings
  • To maintain study folders, in line with guidance from the R&D Department
  • To acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for effective research governance
  • Provision of teaching on topics related to the post holder’s work as requested by the line manager.
  • Contributing to the department’s multidisciplinary research projects within the strategy.
  • Preparing and analysing data for publications for dissemination of research andfor presentation at international conferences as well as internal meetings at UCL, and meetings with external collaborators
  1. Professional and Quality Assurance
  • To provide information required for quality assurance of phenotyping and genotyping
  • Ensuring the highest standard of record keeping, maintaining accurate, complete, and up to date records.
  • Ensuring confidentiality is maintained as applicable.
  • Attending and contributing to Departmental, Institutional and other meetings as appropriate.
  • To obtain an Honorary Clinical Assistant contract from the UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • To ensure that he/she is covered, at all times, by appropriate medical indemnity
  • Acting at all times in accordance with the highest professional standards, and ensuring that these are maintained in the delivery of all aspects of research.
  • Adhering at all times to the policies, rules and regulations of the Department, Institute and UCL.
  • The post holder will actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities and Information Governance policies.
  • The post holder will maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.
  1. General
  • As duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post holder.
  • The post holder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

E= Essential
D= Desirable / Assessed by:
A= Application
I= Interview
Qualifications/ Certification
Registered Medical Practitioner / E / A
Completed general medical training / E / A
MRCP or equivalent / E / A/I
Experience/ Knowledge
Experience in Neurology (clinical or research) / E / A/I
Experience in lumbar puncture technique / E / A
IT proficiency at advanced user level (Spreadsheet, Word Processing, Database, Email, Web based applications). / E / A/I
Knowledge of genetics / D / A/I
Understanding of research methodology / D / A/I
Knowledge of genetics research / D / A/I
Skills/ Aptitude
Excellent oral and written communication skills / E / A/I
Good inter-personal skills with an ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting. / E / A/I
Excellent organisational skills / E / A/I
Resourceful and able to act on own initiative / E / A/I
Meticulous and accurate in all aspects of work / E / A/I
Strong problem solving abilities / E / A/I
Good inter-personal skills with an ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting. / E / A/I
A very high level of consideration and care for patients and research subjects / E / A/I
Driving licence as some travel to see patients / families may be necessary / E / A/I
Interested in research and a commitment to supporting high quality research / E / A/I
Intending to pursue training for a higher degree (PhD) / E / A/I
Excellent presentation and teaching skills / D / I

APPOINTMENT DETAILS

The post is available from immediately and is funded bygrants from the MRC and NIHRfor three years in the first instance. Posts will be offered subject to satisfactory references and successful completion of a nine-month probationary period.

Salary

Starting salary on UCL CL7 £34,249 pa, including London Allowance, pro rata.Progression through the salary scale is incremental. Cost of living pay awards are negotiated nationally and are normally effective from 1st August each year.

Probation

Appointments are subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a probationary period of 9 months.

Hours of work

Full time 36.5 hours per week and times of work are as determined by the Head of Department.

Annual leave

Annual leave is 27 working days for a full time member of staff + 6 UCL closure days in addition to 8 Bank Holidays.

Pension

Appointments are superannuable under the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) or, subject to eligibility requirements, the National Health Service Pension Scheme (NHSPS).Further information about USS and the benefits can be found at

Season ticket loans

A season ticket loan is available to staff who have successfully completed their probationary period with the facility to repay through a monthly deduction from salary.

Other benefits

Other benefits of joining UCL as a staff member are many and include:

  • Access to an extensive range of in-house staff development opportunities. Staff have full use of the UCL libraries and UCL operates a Study Assistance Scheme for those undertaking part-time work-related study.
  • An excellent location for transport networks being near Euston, King’s Cross and St. Pancras stations and a choice of underground stations connected to London's other mainline stations. A wide range of bus routes serves the area.
  • UCL lies in Bloomsbury, just north of Oxford Street, Covent Garden and the heart of the West End with access to shops, theatres, cinemas, bars and restaurants. UCL also has its own 550 seat West End arts venue (Bloomsbury Theatre) which hosts drama, dance, music, debates and lectures during the year.
  • The main campus has subsidised cafeterias/bars and shops, gym and a travel agent. UCL staff can also benefit from corporate membership at a Tottenham Court Road gym.

Applications

You should apply for this post through UCL’s online recruitment -

For queries relating to the application process, please contact Samantha Robinson, Personnel Officer, UCL Institute of Neurology (email: ).

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr P Giunti (email: ).