MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 1863

View Vacancy -- MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 1863
Open Date
10/06/2022, 10:00
Close Date
10/07/2022, 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 Cell Cycle Control team, headed by Dr Alexis Barr, aims to understand how cells enter and exit the cell cycle. Getting the balance between proliferation and quiescence right is vital for normal development and in maintaining tissue homeostasis. We are focussed on understanding how extracellular and intracellular factors impact cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity to drive cell cycle decision-making. Since many of these control networks are dysregulated in cancer, our work could influence how tumours are treated to prevent uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells. Mechanisms of quiescence are also used by cancer cells to evade chemotherapy and to reside at metastatic sites in dormant states and we want to understand how cancer cells enter and exit quiescent states to improve patient outcomes.

To address our research questions, we integrate high-content fixed and live single-cell imaging, quantitative image analysis, mathematical modelling, bioinformatics, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genetic engineering, proteomics and screening to investigate how information flows through the control networks regulating cell cycle entry.

Job Summary

The successful candidate will be a key member of the Cell Cycle Control group, and will enjoy a high level of scientific responsibility. They 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. They will also help with supervising students and contribute to the smooth running of the research group.

Main Responsibilities:

• To plan, carry out, and analyse research in accordance with the agreed project aims
• To attend all lab and related research meetings, and to present work when required
• To attend and contribute to journal clubs and seminar presentations
• To keep up to date with the scientific literature and technical advances relevant to the project
• To present data at national and international meetings (where and when appropriate)
• To interact and collaborate with researchers in related projects
• To take an active part in the academic activities of the LMS
• To write up work for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• To form good working collaborations members of the group, as well as internal and external collaborators
• To assist others and co-supervise students when required
• To contribute to the development and maintenance of the group’s experimental infrastructure as 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 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 life sciences, systems biology, bioinformatics, computational biology or biomedical field. We are looking for someone who is equally comfortable with wet and dry lab research. An excellent track record of independent research is crucial. Expertise in quantitative image analysis, cell cycle, cellular quiescence, genome stability, cancer biology and/or cell signalling 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 a relevant life sciences, systems biology, bioinformatics, computational biology or related discipline

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

Essential:

• Proficiency in a programming statistics language (ideally R)
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (Java, Python, etc)
• Experience in cell culture
• Experience in molecular biology or biochemical techniques
• Previous experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Cell cycle, cell proliferation, cellular quiescence
• Genome stability
• Cell signalling
• Light microscopy and quantitative image analysis
• CRISPR gene editing
• Biochemical techniques, including in vitro kinase assays, proteomics

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

Essential:

• A keen interest in cell cycle control and cell signalling
• An excellent track record of independent research
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication
• A first author publication in an international, peer-reviewed journal (submitted, under review or published)

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

Essential:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team (both in situ and remotely with collaborators)
• Evidence of ability to conduct research independently, from the planning stages, execution, troubleshooting and write-up
• 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
• Ability to constructively criticise one’s own and others results

Further Information  

Applicants should submit CV with a cover letter describing the motivation and how the candidate fits the person specifications for the post and names and contacts of two scientific references. Please do not send reference letters at this stage. Please quote LMS 1863

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.