MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 1654

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: London, ENGLAND
Deadline: 10 Oct 2021 23:55 BST ;

View Vacancy -- MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 1654
Open Date
20/08/2021, 14:30
Close Date
10/10/2021, 23:55

MRC London Institute of Medical Science

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.

For more information, visit www.lms.mrc.ac.uk.


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

MRC - 4

London

£32,302 - £35,143 plus London allowances (£3,727 & £1,402) per annum

Additional allowances comprise a £1,000 lump sum Settlement Allowance plus a yearly Training Allowance of £850 in the first year, paid in monthly instalments. The Training Allowance increases to £1,300 in year two, and £1,800 in the third year.

Fixed Term

Science

Full Time

3 Years

Overall purpose:

The Chromatin & Development group, led by Dr Michelle Percharde, investigates mechanisms of chromatin regulation in early mammalian development. We also study how chromatin regulation and other mechanisms are important for transposable element (TE) expression and function.

The lab is looking for a curious and motivated postdoc to investigate novel aspects of chromatin and TE regulation in development versus disease, with a particular focus on human biology and disease modelling. We are interested in understanding the contribution of TEs to mammalian gene regulatory networks, describing novel roles for TEs, and exploring how TE regulation and function become misregulated in pathologies such as aging and cancer. This position would suit a creative individual who is keen to explore some of the lab’s questions and/or motivated to develop their own research questions within the lab’s research scope. The project will involve techniques routinely employed in the lab including genome-wide chromatin and transcriptomic assays, bioinformatic analyses, imaging, molecular embryology and CRISPR/Cas9 manipulation.

The post-holder will be a key member of the Chromatin & Development group, and as such will enjoy a high level of scientific responsibility. The successful candidate will have a strong background in development, chromatin, or gene regulation, with this post ideally suiting someone with experience working with human ESCs/iPSCs and/or a strong background in bioinformatics.


Main Responsibilities:

  • To think independently, design experiments and conduct high-quality research in line with the agreed project aims
  • To critically analyse and present data, ensuring reliability, reproducibility and statistical robustness
  • To keep abreast of current published research and preprints, and integrate findings into own project ideas and techniques
  • To develop new techniques and protocols as necessary for the project
  • To attend all lab and related research meetings, and to present work when required
  • To assist others and co-supervise students when required
  • To attend and contribute to journal clubs and seminar presentations
  • To present data at national and international meetings (where and when appropriate)
  • To help with the daily running of the lab by assisting with general lab duties as required

This is an MRC Postdoctoral Scientist position, which provides training and development to support post-doctoral scientists in early or changed career paths, helping to establish them as a successful research scientist in their chosen field. The position is for 3 years and is available to be filled ideally before Spring 2022.

Applicants should have a PhD (or be in the final stages of completing one) in a relevant discipline, a strong publication record, a commitment to scientific excellence, and enthusiasm to work as part of a team.



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

Essential:

  • PhD degree in a relevant biochemical/biological/biomedical discipline (or be in the final stages of completing one)

Previous work experience required (will be assessed from application form and at interview):

Essential:

  • Experience in working either with stem cell culture or in genomics/epigenetic bioinformatics

Desirable:

  • Experience in working with human iPSCs or ESCs
  • Previous experience with genome-wide experiments and/or bioinformatic analysis (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, disease modeling)

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

Essential:

  • Strong conceptual background and interest in one of the following: mammalian epigenetics, genome organization, development, TEs, or gene regulation
  • Excellent written (i.e. reports, preparation of manuscripts) communication skills in English

Desirable:

  • One or more first-author publications either in a peer-reviewed international journal or currently in preparation/submission for publication
  • Previous experience in presenting scientific data at national or international scientific conferences

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

Essential:

  • Ability to work as an enthusiastic part of a team
  • Excellent verbal communication skills in English, both verbal (i.e. seminar presentations, participation at lab meetings, discussions with the PI)
  • Ability to conduct research independently, including experiment conception, design, execution, analysis and presentation to the group
  • Experience in learning and acquisition of new skills, technique troubleshooting, and ability to seek creative solutions to scientific problems
  • Willingness to work flexible hours as the project demands, and to travel nationally or internationally for research or conference attendance
  • Enthusiasm to work collaboratively and share skills and knowledge with other team members


Please note that job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Please upload your CV, the names and contacts of two scientific references, and a cover letter clearly evidencing your interest for the position and explaining how you meet essential criteria (showing evidence against the requirements as per the Job Description and Person Specification). Please quote reference number LMS 1654


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.


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