Senior Investigator Scientist LMS 2396

View Vacancy -- Senior Investigator Scientist LMS 2396
Open Date
15/04/2024, 00:00
Close Date
05/05/2024, 23:55
Research Institute 1  
MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences
Research Institute / Unit Information 1  

The LMS is a world-class research laboratory  where scientists and clinicians collaborate to advance the understanding of biology and its application to medicine. Funded by the MRC  as part of UK Research and Innovation , the LMS has a collaborative working culture and new state-of-the-art building based in the heart of West London in the Hammersmith Hospital Campus (W12).

The LMS aims to deliver transdisciplinary team science, in synergistic interaction with Imperial College and the wider national research environment. Part of achieving this, is to recruit new talent and support postdoctoral scientists to become world leaders in their area of science.

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 1  
MRC - 3
Location 1  
London
Salary 1  
£48,802 - £52, 172 plus London Allowances (£3,913 & £1,472) per annum
Contract Type 1  
Fixed Term
Job Type 1  
Science
Full Time / Part Time 1  
Full Time
Contract Length 1  
4 years
Job Description 1  

Overall Purpose:

The LMS, under the Directorship of Professor Wiebke Arlt, is one of three UK institutes which are core-funded by the MRC. Partnered with Imperial College London on its Hammersmith Hospital Campus, it comprises around 35 research groups carrying out biomedical research which addresses the fundamental mechanisms responsible for human health and disease, using state-of-the-art core facilities. Our research focuses on metabolism and genetics with a particular spotlight on the impact of sex differences, ageing and environmental factors, and our approach is transdisciplinary team science.

 

The Functional Gene Control Group:

Headed by PI Dr Mikhail Spivakov, the LMS is appointing a Senior Investigator Scientist with an established track record of wet-lab research in gene regulation to perform semi-independent research, lead on the methodological developments in the lab, and support and co-supervise junior lab members.

The main key responsibilities of the role include:

• Lead research on the mechanisms of enhancer function and enhancer-promoter communication, and/or on developing novel techniques relevant for this research area, with a high degree of independence
• Establish, maintain and troubleshoot experimental techniques for studying the regulatory genome, such as epigenomics, 3D genomics and single-cell multiomics assays, as well as CRISPRi/a perturbation screens
• Provide effective supervision to undergraduate and masters student(s) hosted in the lab working on relevant projects
• Train, co-supervise and assist lab members with their projects, particularly those involving challenging experimental techniques
• Lead on lab management duties
• Participate and, where required, project-manage collaborations to expand the scope of the lab’s research
• Write-up and publish research results, assist in preparing collaborative work for publication
• Present at scientific meetings
• Contribute to writing bids for research grants
• Balance independent work with team science, both within the lab, other teams in the institute and beyond
• Take an active part in the academic activities of the group including group meetings, group journal clubs, training and organisational aspects
• Take an active part in the academic activities of the LMS, including seminar presentations
• Support the LMS’s values of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Person Specification 1  

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

Essential:

• A PhD supported by post-doctoral experience in either industry or academia in the field of gene regulation, 3D genomics and/or developmental epigenetics

 

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

Essential:

• Experience of gene regulation, 3D genomics and/or developmental epigenetics demonstrated by excellent (joint-)lead author publications. Note: Preprints will be considered, but at least one peer-reviewed publication is expected
• Experience of establishing and troubleshooting techniques in the lab
• A record of scientific originality and creativity, demonstrated through publications
• Experience of mammalian cell culture
• Experience of supporting and supervising students and junior researchers

Desirable:

• Experience as a senior, semi-independent researcher in academia or industry, such as a senior postdoc, career development fellow or team leader
• Experience of lab management

 

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

Essential:

• Excellent technical skills in transcriptomics, epigenomics and 3D genomics
• Experience in single-cell genomics assays
• A good understanding of NGS data analysis

Desirable:

• A working knowledge of CRISPRi/a perturbation screens
• A working knowledge of stem cell culture or primary blood cell isolation
• Experience in single-cell multiomics assays

 

Personal skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at the interview) :

Essential:

• Good leadership skills that inspire and motivate others to support high quality outputs
• Excellent communication skills to convey complex information clearly to wide audiences
• Ability to organise and prioritise workload, and to delegate appropriate tasks to team members ensuring deadlines are met
• A high level of motivation to learn new concepts and acquire new skills in biology and computing, and to seek novel and creative solutions to scientific problems
• Committment to maintaining confidentiality of data at all times
• A flexible approach to working, with the ability to sometimes work outside of core hours (including weekends) if the requirements of the project demand

Further Information 1  

Interested candidates are encouraged to upload their up-to-date CV and personal statement, outlining their research achievements and relevant experience, and details of at least 2 references. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. 

Please quote reference number LMS 2396. 

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.  The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.  UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.