Research Technician LMS 1858

View Vacancy -- Research Technician LMS 1858
Open Date
27/05/2022, 14:25
Close Date
03/07/2022, 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 - 5
Location  
London
Salary  
£25, 798 - £27,501 pa plus London allowances (£3,727 & £1,402) per annum
Contract Type  
Fixed Term
Job Type  
Technical & Scientific Professionals
Full Time / Part Time  
Full Time
Contract Length  
1-year fixed term with the possibility of extension
Job Description  

Overall purpose:

The Molecular Systems group at the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences studies microbial cell biology and evolution with a particular interest in the evolution of chromatin. Across the lab, we are using a variety of model and non-model species, including bacteria (E. coli, Bdellovibrio, halophilic bacteria) and archaea (Thermoplasma, Methanobacteriales, halophilic archaea) and the post holder’s principal responsibility will be to work closely with current lab members to grow these organisms and carry out downstream experiments (stress assays, RNA/protein extraction, genetic manipulation). Additional responsibilities will include culture maintenance, reagent preparation, and re-stocking. While the primary role of the post holder is to support ongoing work, there will be opportunities to carry out independent research. The post would be suitable for somebody with prior experience in microbial culture techniques who is keen to broaden their expertise and help answer questions relating to microbial evolution and physiology, perhaps with a view to gathering more practical skills to enable future PhD applications.

 

Main duties / key responsibilities:

• Plan and carry out research in accordance with the project aims
• Ensure the availability of materials necessary for the project including monitoring consumables stocks and ordering where necessary
• Attend project and related research group meetings
• Interact and collaborate with group members
• Form good working relationships with other members of the group

Person Specification  

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

Essential:

• BSc (or equivalent) in microbiology, genetics, or similar.

Desirable:

• MSc (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline

 

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

Essential:

• Experience working in a scientific laboratory

 

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

Essential:

• Expertise in good scientific practice including record keeping and reporting
• Good written communication skills
• Experience with microbial culture techniques and genetics

Desirable:

• Experience working with archaea or non-model bacteria

 

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

Essential:

• Motivation
• Good verbal communication skills
• Independence in finding solutions to technical challenges
•  Diligence
• Ability to work in a collaborative research environment
• Willingness to give and receive help with challenging problems
• Good interpersonal skills
• Willingness to share knowledge and transfer skills to other members of the group on a daily basis

 

Further Information  
Applicants should submit one CV, a brief cover letter describing how the candidate fits the person specifications and motivation for the post and names and contacts of two scientific references.
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.