Postdoctoral Training Fellow – J DiFrisco Lab

Job title: Postdoctoral Training Fellow

Reporting to: James DiFrisco, Group Leader

Contact term: This is a full-time, fixed term (4 years with potential for an extension of up to 2 years) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

The Research Group
Our lab is a newly established theoretical biology group existing within a state-of-the-art biomedical research institute. Our general aim is to develop new conceptual frameworks and models for the study of biological complexity, focussing on the intersection of development and evolution. Our work emphasizes the conceptual or philosophical side of theoretical biology, though mathematical and computational approaches are also encouraged. Although we collaborate with experimental biologists inside and outside the Crick Institute, the lab itself does not conduct experiments or have allocated laboratory equipment. Combined membership in our lab with an experimental lab is a possibility, however.

Themes of interest and/or expertise in the group include causal reasoning and inference, evolutionary systems biology, homology and comparative developmental biology, dynamical modelling of developmental processes, notions of biological levels of organization and major transitions in individuality, the evolution of novel cell types, tissues, and organs, developmental system drift, and more.

Please see https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/labs/james-difrisco for more information.

The Project
Applicants are requested to submit a brief project outline (up to 1,200 words, but shorter is also acceptable) outlining the work they propose to carry out during their postdoctoral fellowship. The project should be an original research proposal that describes a new theoretical idea or hypothesis, explains why it is needed, and sketches how it is to be carried out. In addition to describing the main ideas of the proposed research, please briefly address the following points:

why this work should take place at the Francis Crick Institute
whether and how you plan to interact with other research being done at the Institute
how the proposed work aligns with the research and competences of the group leader, and
potential collaborations envisaged.
Postdoctoral Training Fellows will lead their own projects, contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis (both in the lab and possibly with external collaborators) and may guide PhD students in their research. The ability to work in a team is essential. The post comes with no formal teaching duties, but fellows may be asked to contribute to training modules for Crick PhD students and postdocs run by the group leader, depending on expertise.

The postholder will be expected to:

Maintain regular working hours in the space allocated to the group (fully remote work is not possible)
Publish their work in appropriate venues in a timely fashion
Attend conferences and workshops relevant to their research area
Participate in research activities of the group, such as lab meetings, reading groups, hosting of academic visitors, etc.
Participate in relevant activities of the Crick Institute, such as lectures, seminars, and training modules.
The postholder can expect:

Provision of a quiet work space, a computer, and funds for research expenses (e.g., books, software, conference travel)
Access to opportunities for training and career development provided to all Crick fellows
Mentorship, project feedback, and career support from the group leader
A dynamic, exciting, and challenging research environment in which to develop the fellow’s research to its full potential
Potential applicants can direct any questions to [email protected] . An interview will follow positively evaluated applications, where the project and expectations may be further discussed.

Key experience and competencies
The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values:

Bold; Open; Collegial

Essential
PhD awarded, or in final stages of submission, in life sciences or biology-adjacent field (philosophy of biology also considered)
Good working knowledge in at least one of the following areas: developmental biology, evolutionary biology, evo-devo, genetics, gene regulation, biophysics, complexity science, mathematical biology, theoretical biology
Some working proficiency in the methods of conceptual analysis and argumentation in philosophy of science, or willingness to acquire such
Willingness to constructively engage with research outside one’s area of specialization
Track record of writing papers as evidenced by publications or submitted manuscripts in reputable journals
Evidence of presentations at scientific meetings
Desirable
A research focus that overlaps with that of the group leader and/or other postdoctoral training fellows
Scientific literacy in quantitative reasoning, mathematics, physics, and/or chemistry
Competence in philosophy of biology
About Us
At the Crick, we conduct research at the forefront of biomedical research. We combine rigour with an open and collaborative culture, and are outward-looking, reflecting our status as a partnership of six organisations aiming to pool knowledge, ideas and resources.

We have a wide research portfolio with no divisions or departments, bringing biomedical researchers together with clinicians, physical scientists and applied scientists from our pharmaceutical partners.

We aim to attract the most talented researchers and support them to tackle innovative research questions. Our science technology platforms provide our researchers with access to state-of-the-art technology and expertise.

We provide an excellent learning environment with dedicated education programmes in public engagement with science, education and personal development, and a postdoc training programme that prepares scientists for leadership roles in science.

If you are interested in applying for this role, please apply via our website.
The closing date for applications is 20 January 2023 at 23:59
All offers of employment are subject to successful security screening and continuous eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.
If you require a visa to work in the UK we will help support your application should you be successful
Find out what benefits the Crick has to offer:

For more information on our great pay and benefits package please click here: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/pay-and-benefits

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.

Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute’s success.

The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.

Read more on our website: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/equality-diversity-and-inclusion