Job Description

Salary for this Role:
From 45,700 per annum with benefits, subject to skills and experience
Job Title: Senior Laboratory Research Scientist
Reports to: Eachan Johnson
Closing Date: 09/Nov/2025 23.59 GMT
:
Senior Laboratory Research Scientist - Johnson Lab
Details of the role:
Reports to: Eachan Johnson, Group Leader
Contact term: This is a full-time, fixed term (3 years) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.
About us
The Francis Crick Institute is Europe's largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.
The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We've removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.
About the role
We are looking for a Senior Laboratory Research Scientist to join the lab and lead a large-scale chemical genetics project focussing on Klebsiella pneumoniae.
This project forms part of an international, collaborative programme committed to accelerating the discovery of new treatments for infections by bacteria.
The role will offer you significant scope for intellectual leadership, collaboration, and methodological development at the interface of genetics, chemical biology, and data science.
The Systems Chemical Biology of Infection and Resistance Lab studies how pathogenic bacteria survive and infect, using chemical biology and genetic tools to define new gene targets and their chemical inhibitors. Ultimately, we aim to enable antimicrobial therapies which exploit key weaknesses in the ability of pathogenic bacteria to evolve resistance to antibiotics.
Working at the interface of genetics, chemical biology, and machine learning, we discover and use small molecules to precisely disrupt the cellular machinery of pathogenic bacteria and study consequent effects on survival, infection, and evolution. We have developed methods that enable us to study multiple bacterial pathogens in parallel, but we focus primarily on Klebsiella pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
You will be joining a collaborative environment that supports mentoring, skill-sharing, and growth, with opportunities to engage in consortium-wide exchanges and work with scientists and labs across the Crick.
If you have a background in biological engineering, chemical biology, or molecular microbiology (broadly defined), we would love to hear from you.
What you will be doing:
Some of your key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing experiments and research strategy in consultation with the PI
• Carrying out experiments and analysing data
• Keeping accurate and timely records of work
• Engaging in professional development and growth
• Liaising with external collaborators
• Presenting work at lab meetings, conferences, and consortium meetings

About you
You will have:
(Minimum Criteria*)

• PhD (or in the final stages of PhD submission) in biological engineering, chemistry, chemical biology, molecular biology, microbiology, systems biology or related field, or equivalent experience
• Experience in developing cell-based assays *
• Experience in training other lab members in new techniques*
• Thorough understanding of next generation sequencing and its applications *
• Proficiency in analysing large biological or chemical datasets (using Python or R) and developing quantitative analyses to address scientific questions*
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team towards a shared goal

In your cover letter, please describe how your specific experience and skills align with these competencies. Additionally, refer to one scientific paper (not from our group or your previous labs) that has shaped your scientific perspective. In 4-5 sentences, describe when you first read it, which figure stood out to you, what might have improved the experiment behind the figure, and how it advanced the field.
About Working at the Crick
Our values
Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick's mission and shaping our culture!

• We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We're not afraid to do things differently.

• We are open. We're highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world.

• We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences.
We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email:
What will you receive?
At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:

• Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK
• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.

• Health & Well-being:

• 24/7 GP consultation services.

• Occupational health services and mental health support programs.

• Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.

• Work-Life Balance:

• Back-up care for dependents.

• Childcare support allowance.

• Annual leave purchase options.
• Crick Networks offering diverse groups' support, community and inclusive social events.

• Perks:

• Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.

• Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.
We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.

Skills Required