Postdoctoral Research Scientist

(3-year fixed term)
MRC Band 4
Salary £32,302-£35,143 * plus London allowances (£3,727 & £1,402) per annum
London, UK
Overall purpose

The Chromatin & Development group, led by Dr Michelle Percharde, focuses on understanding the molecular events surrounding cell fate choices during early development, particularly the intersection between chromatin and transposable element (TE) regulation in development and disease. We are looking to recruit a wet/dry-lab postdoctoral scientist to our group to explore TE misregulation in development and human disease, such as cancer. Visit www.perchardelab.com and https://lms.mrc.ac.uk/research-group/chromatin-and-development/ for more information.

Job Summary
Our lab investigates mechanisms of chromatin and transposable element (TE) regulation in early mammalian development. TEs make up a significant portion of our genomes and are now implicated in many developmental but also pathological processes. We recently discovered a novel complex comprising LINE1 RNA that is essential for 2-cell exit and maintenance of the ESC state, highlighting unexpected roles for TEs in development (Percharde et al., Cell 2018), and have recently described new mechanisms in development for TE regulation (Xie et al., Biorxiv 2021). Despite this, TEs are significantly understudied, with much to be discovered about how their expression and function is controlled (Percharde et al., Bioessays 2020).

The lab is now looking for an ambitious postdoctoral scientist to investigate novel aspects of chromatin and TE regulation in human development versus disease, including cancer. This position 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. The project will involve techniques routinely employed in the group, including genome-wide chromatin and transcriptomic assays, bioinformatic analyses, imaging, molecular embryology and CRISPR/Cas9 manipulation. We are particularly interested in candidates with hESC/hIPSC experience or extensive experience in bioinformatics, for example interrogating large mammalian datasets.

The post-holder will be a key member of the Chromatin and 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 or a strong background in bioinformatics. The position is available to be filled immediately.

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.

For full details of this post and to complete an online application, please visit: https://mrc.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/appcentre-1/candidate/postings/1816 and upload your CV, the names and contacts of two scientific references, along with a cover letter clearly evidencing your interest for the position and explaining how you meet essential criteria. Please quote: LMS 1763

Closing date: 20th February 2022

*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.

Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a 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, plus the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.