The Coen Lab is a team of researchers who are excited about neuroscience, enjoy solving both experimental and computational problems, and want to do so in a healthy, diverse, and equitable work environment. Projects can be flexible within the over-arching theme of audiovisual integration, and you can read more about the techniques we use here. Before applying, you can find out more about lab-life to see if our lab is a good fit for you. Expectations and the application process for each role are outlined below.
All labs fluctuate in size, but I deliberately maintain a small research group. I am privileged to work with an incredible group of scientists, and I cannot provide the mentorship and engagement they deserve if I divide my attention between too many projects. Therefore, please check the current team size here. If there are a total of 5-6 full-time researchers (PhD students and Postdoctoral/Research fellows), we are unlikely to have space for new members—unless someone is moving on to their next opportunity. This upper limit is independent of funding conditions: it simply reflects the limits of my capacity to engage with multiple projects effectively.
It is highly desirable for postdoctoral fellows to have prior experience in electrophysiology or mouse stereotaxic surgery, and be comfortable with large-scale data analysis. Fellows should be ready to do science when they join, and my role is to help them develop, improve, and achieve their career objectives. Postdoctoral positions are fully funded, but all lab members should still write fellowship applications which are useful to solidify project plans, provide equipment funding, and strengthen the fellow’s scientific CV. Some schemes worth considering include:
Wellcome Early Career Award
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship
EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship (coming to UK from abroad)
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship (coming to UK from abroad)
If you’re interested in joining, please email Pip with a brief background, your research interest in the lab, and CV.
Doctoral students do not need extensive experience, although familiarity with experimental work and coding is desirable. The main requirement is that students are enthusiastic and ready to learn. My goal it to help them develop the skills required to be a scientist. At this time, all students must join the lab through a funded program. These include:
UCL Research Excellence Scholarship (RES)
UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship (ROS)
London Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programme (LiDO)
SWC Systems Neuroscience PhD Programme
The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) Fellowship
MRC Birkbeck PhD programme
Mental Health Wellcome PhD Programme
In some cases (e.g. BIF, RES, ROS), the programme involves applying directly with Pip. In this case, if you are interested in joining the lab through one of these programmes, or if you are already on a PhD programme, and interested in joining the lab for a rotation project, please email Pip with more information about your background and specific research interests.
Masters students do not need any experience, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. During their time in the lab, masters students should accomplish a small project that gives insight into the scientific process. We can only accept students that are already part of an established masters programme at UCL.
As the lab develops, we will be able to host undergraduate students so they can get exposure to research and contribute to existing projects. Because undergraduates work with existing students or postdocs, availability varies with the current lab projects.
The lab typically has 1-2 lab technicians. For these posts, previous experience working in an experimental rodent lab, or expertise with coding, is highly desirable. If you would like to be notified when we advertise for these positions, please email Pip.
As described above, some lab members will join the lab through routes with an external interview process, including PhD programmes and postdoctoral fellowships. In other cases, when Pip directly advertises a position, he strives to maintain a fair and equitable interview process. Interview panels will be chosen to reflect the position being advertised., and in accordance with guidelines from UCL.
In brief, the entire process lasts ~2 months and consists of:
- Position advertised by Pip (~4 weeks)
- Initial review by interview panel members (~1 week)
- Candidates notified of 1st round results. Either:
- Invited for a panel interview
- Notified they were not suitable for the role
- Initial interviews of selected candidates (~1-2 weeks)
- Candidates notified of 2nd round results. Either:
- Invited for further interaction with the lab
- Notified they were not suitable for the role
- Depending on role, candidate(s) may (~1-2 weeks):
- Meet individual lab members (virtually)
- Visit the lab (if possible for all remaining candidates)
- Give a scientific talk to the Coen Lab (and others)
- Present a paper to the lab
- Candidates notified of final results. Either:
- Offered the position
- Notified they were not suitable for the role