Job Description

Laboratory Research Scientist

Contact term:

This is a full-time, fixed term (September 2023 - August 2024) on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Project summary

The Applied biotechnology laboratory is a group of inventors working on ambitious solutions to the biggest problems in biology and medicine. We believe that commercialising technology is key to seeing real-world impact.

Currently, scientists can create only a few human cell types and frequently these are not fully differentiated or have key differences from what is found in vivo. We are creating a revolutionary new technology which uses RNA to reprogramme cells. This is a high-risk, high-reward project and several technical challenges need to be overcome to demonstrate the core thesis is valid. The methods we are using include transfection, electroporation, cell culture, mouse embryonic stem cells and RNA-seq, however due to the fluid nature of the project the applicant will need to be quick at learning new methods.

The Research Group

The Applied Biotechnology Laboratory, led by Group Leader Dr Samuel Rodriques, works at the interface between academic bioengineering and biotechnology entrepreneurship. Our goal is to develop biotechnologies that address major unmet needs in biology and medicine and to put them into every laboratory or every clinic in the world.

We start by identifying the biggest problems in biology and medicine and then design creative and novel solutions. We are method-agnostic which means that we find the best scientific methods and technologies to design and build our technologies. This is strongly enabled by generous funding from our backers and by the wealth of technologies and expertise available at the Francis Crick Institute. There are currently 13 members of our lab, mostly post-doctoral fellows who independently pursue their own projects. These projects encompass tool development (spatial and temporal transcriptomics, neural connectomics) and novel therapeutics (targeted gene therapies, novel gene delivery systems).

Key responsibilities

These include but are not limited to:

Independently conducting experiments and analysing results related to the project.

Learning and applying new methods to the project.

Engaging with the Science Technology platforms at the Crick.

Pursuing collaborations with other academic labs.

Maintaining high-quality lab notes and maintaining the central lab inventory.

Reporting on a regular basis to the leader of the Applied Biotechnology Laboratory.

Presenting results at lab meetings and at international conferences.

Writing up results and publishing papers in major, internationally recognized journals.

Key experience and competencies

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values:

Bold; Open; Collegial in addition to the following:

The ideal candidate should believe that their inventions have the capacity to change the world. They should be curious and be able to design robust experiments to satisfy their curiosity. They should pick up skills quickly in order to use the best methods to answer the questions they are curious about and to work in a fast-paced, evolving environment. They should be an excellent communicator, able to explain complex ideas succinctly and confident in seeking knowledge from other scientists when they want to learn something new. We are looking for a person who isn\'t afraid to ask. The ideal candidate will be intensely oriented towards the details that enable an experiment to succeed while also understanding the bigger picture that allows one to make strategic decisions. Being a good mentee is critical and the ideal candidate will take criticism well and learn from others.

You should have a degree in one of the Natural Sciences. No publication record is required, although interesting, novel and/or relevant publications will be looked upon favourably. No experience in particular methods is required, although experience in a biological lab setting is highly desirable.

Essential

Higher education degree in biological sciences.

At least 6 months experience with practical laboratory science.

Strong collaborative ability and teamwork experience. Has worked in or lead a team to complete a scientific project.

Has demonstrable interest in: rejuvenative medicine, stem cell biology and/or biotechnology.

Desirable

A master\'s degree in one of the Natural Sciences is desirable but not essential.

Knowledge of basic molecular biology.

Practical experience of molecular biology.

Practical experience of mammalian cell culture, especially stem cells and/or human organoid systems.

Has demonstrated extra-curricular interests in science, for example iGEM, summer schools or university societies.

Experience with programming, especially in the R programming language.

Has received academic awards during their studies.

Interesting, novel and/or relevant publications will be looked upon favourably.

Find out what benefits the Crick has to offer:

For more information on our great pay and benefits package please click here:

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.

Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute\'s success.

The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.

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