MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 1852

View Vacancy -- MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 1852
Open Date
20/05/2022, 11:30
Close Date
19/06/2022, 23:55
Research Institute  
MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences
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.

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
Band  
MRC - 4
Location  
London
Salary  
£32,302 - £35,143 plus London allowances (£3,727 & £1,402) per annum
Allowances  
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.
Contract Type  
Fixed Term
Job Type  
Science
Full Time / Part Time  
Full Time
Contract Length  
3 Years
Job Description  

Overall purpose:

The Chromatin & Development group , led by Dr Michelle Percharde, investigates mechanisms of chromatin and transposon regulation in early mammalian development.

The lab is looking for a wet/dry lab postdoc to investigate novel aspects of chromatin and transposon regulation in human development versus disease. We are interested in understanding their contribution to mammalian gene regulatory networks, describing novel roles for transposons, and exploring how their regulation and function become mis-regulated in pathologies such as aging and cancer. We are particularly interested in how transposon expression can have distinct consequences depending on the cellular context. This postdoc would suit a creative individual who is enthusiastic to explore some of the lab’s questions and/or motivated to develop their own questions within the lab’s research scope. Techniques routinely employed in the group include mouse and human ESC/iPSC culture, genome-wide chromatin and transcriptomic assays, CRISPR-Cas9 screening, bioinformatics, imaging, molecular embryology and transposon manipulation. The successful candidate will have a strong background in one or more of the following: gene regulation in development/disease, transposon biology or epigenetics.

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

Additional information:

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 available to be filled immediately but start date can be flexible.

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

Person Specification  

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:

• Significant practical experience in molecular biology techniques
• Extensive experience in working either with mammalian cell culture and/or dry lab: in genomics and epigenetic-based bioinformatics 

Desirable:

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

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

Essential:

• Strong conceptual background and interest in one of the following: mammalian epigenetics, cancer/aging, development, transposons, or gene regulation
• Excellent written communication skills in English

Desirable:

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

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

Essential:

• Ability to work as an enthusiastic part of a team
• 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
• Excellent verbal communication skills in English

Further Information  

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 specific 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 1852

This role qualifies for endorsement by UKRI for a UK Global Talent Visa, for which the successful applicant is likely to be eligible to apply. Immigration costs for applicant (100% visa and 100% Health Surcharge) and immediate dependents (100% visa and 50% health surcharge when applying with main applicant) can be reclaimed from LMS after taking up the post (terms and conditions apply).

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.