MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 1602

View Vacancy -- MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 1602
Open Date
02/07/2021, 16:30
Close Date
01/08/2021, 23:55
Research Institute  
MRC London Institute of Medical Science
Research Institute / Unit Information  
The London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS) is a Medical Research Council funded research institute at the Hammersmith Hospital campus (London W12) of Imperial College London, with around 400 biomedical researchers undertaking multidisciplinary and internationally-competitive science.
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org
Band  
MRC - 4
Location  
London
Salary  
£32,302 - £35,143 plus London allowances (£3,727 & £1,402) per annum
Contract Type  
Fixed Term
Job Type  
Science
Full Time / Part Time  
Full Time
Contract Length  
1 year
Job Description  

Overall purpose

Research in the Metabolism and Gene Regulation group led by Dr Santiago Vernia focuses on the molecular mechanisms leading to fatty liver disease and cardiovascular complications associated with obesity. Current research interests in the lab include the development of RNA-based therapeutic approaches to treat these pathologies. We have recently developed an RNA oligonucleotide with a strong activity decreasing blood triglycerides and liver inflammation.

The post holder will directly contribute to this work by testing a modified version of this RNA oligonucleotide in human hepatocytes and a liver-on-a-Chip system.

Job Summary

You will work in a focussed and organised manner to produce independent and original research within the group, deliver the scientific aims of the project and aid in the submission of publications to refereed journals. You will also help with supervising students and contribute to the smooth running of the research group.

Main Responsibilities

• To plan and carry out research in accordance with agreed project aims
• To take initiatives in the planning of research
• To formulate and test hypothesis to progress the research project
• To identify and develop suitable techniques, and apparatus, for the collection of data
• To conduct data analysis ensuring its validity and reliability of data at all times
• To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings
• To run analyses and tests using specified and agreed techniques and models
• To help with the smooth running, organization of the laboratory and ensuring that GLP is observed in all procedures directly related to the research project
• To prioritise tasks within agreed work schedules
• To contribute to writing bids for research grants
• To attend all project and related research group meetings
• To interact and collaborate with researchers in related projects
• Write-up and publication of work in peer-reviewed journals
• To take an active part in the academic activities of the LMS
• To attend and contribute to journal clubs and seminar presentations
• Presentation of data at national and international meetings (where and when appropriate)
• To form good working relationships with other members of the group as well as internal and external collaborators
• To assist others and co-supervise students when required

This is an MRC Postdoctoral Scientist position providing training and development supporting post-doctoral scientists in early or changed career paths helping establish them as successful research scientists in their chosen field.

Applicants must have a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant biomedical discipline and extensive experience in cell culture and molecular biology techniques. A proven publication record, with at least one first author publication in a peer-reviewed international journal is also essential. Expertise in cell signalling and/or metabolism and previous experience with mouse models would be an advantage. The successful candidate must also have the ability to develop and apply new concepts, have a creative approach to problem solving, and be able to write clearly and succinctly for publication.

Person Specification  

Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from application form)

Essential:

• PhD (or equivalent) in biology or a related discipline

 

Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from application form and at interview)

Essential:

• Extensive experience in cell culture and RNA isolation, gene expression analysis and molecular biology techniques
• A proven publication record, with at least one first author publication in a peer-reviewed international journal

Desirable:

• Previous experience with mouse models of metabolic pathologies
• Prior experience with the processing and analysis of genome-wide data sets
• Experience in computational biology, specifically relating to the efficient processing and analysis of short read data generated by next generation sequencing experiments (ChIP-Seq, RNA-Seq) and/or proteomics (TMT-MS)
• Prior experience with pre-mRNA splicing analysis

Personal skills/behaviours/qualities (will be assessed at the interview)

Essential:

• A keen interest in metabolism
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team (both in situ and remotely with international collaborators)
• Evidence of ability to conduct research independently, from the planning stages to execution and write-up
• The desire to learn and acquire new skills and to pro-actively seek novel and creative solutions to scientific problems
• Willingness to share knowledge and skills with other members of the group on a daily basis
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to constructively criticize one’s own and others results

Desirable:

• Experience in bioinformatics

Further Information  
For full details of this post and to complete an online application upload your CV, names and contacts of two scientific references along with a covering letter stating why you are applying for this role (providing evidence against the requirements of the job as per the job description and person specification). 
The MRC is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions.The MRC is a unique working environment where our researchers are rewarded by world class innovation and collaboration opportunities that the MRC name brings. The MRC is an excellent place to develop yourself further and a range of training & development opportunities will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council.
Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.