View Vacancy -- Research Support Officer - Neurobiology - Dr Albert Cardona - LMB 2720

The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of many new techniques, most notably protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. The LMB has a clear goal of understanding biological processes at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of using this knowledge to tackle specific problems in human health and disease. We aim to tackle difficult, long-term problems, which often require investment over many years.

There are four scientific Divisions - Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. However, scientific collaboration between the different Divisions is extensive. Scientists are well supported by excellent scientific facilities and by the LMB Operations Group which maintains the core infrastructure and services of the institute.

The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both new and established researchers. Scientists are drawn to the LMB from all over the world, thus creating a lively and international community for the exchange of ideas and technical innovation.

Overall purpose: 

To work within the group of Dr Albert Cardona at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), providing research support for a programme aimed at analysing connectomic data.

The post consists in delivering ground truth data for connectomics. The ground truth data required for this project is the following: cytoplasmic membrane segmentation and synapse annotation (via CATMAID software), to train neuron segmentation and synapse detection neural networks, and whole-neuron volumetric reconstruction by means of manually proofreading with FlyWire the output of instance segmentation with flood-fill networks, to train a neural network for the aggregation step towards reducing manual proofreading requirements. To this end, the candidate will apply both manual computer-assisted labor and write programming scripts to retrieve, analyse, and annotate the data using the CATMAID and FlyWire APIs.

Main duties/ Key responsibilities:

•    To assist with research by planning, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments.
•    To perform tasks guided by your supervisor including wet laboratory work, purchasing and organising chemicals, ordering of specified equipment, computational tasks and data analysis.
•    To present information on research progress and outcomes as appropriate.
•    To conduct literature and database searches.
•    To contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
•    To ensure and maintain an efficient and tidy Laboratory.

To plan and manage your experimental work within the project along with your supervisor and other members of the project team.

To contribute to the overall preparation of research for publication.

To ensure the research is carried in accordance with good practice and in compliance with local polices and legal requirements.

To contribute to the smooth running of the research group, including the effective use of resources, training of others and taking responsibility for use of communal facilities. 

Working relationships: 

You will report to Dr Albert Cardona and will interact and collaborate with other Postdoctoral Scientists, Research Support Staff and Students, not only in your Group, but also across the LMB and with external Groups as necessary.

Additional information:

The above lists are not exhaustive, and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post.  All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.

Education / qualifications / training required: 

Essential:
Master’s degree in biology, medicine, or an equivalent subject that includes knowledge of cell biology, neuroscience and neuroanatomy.

Desirable:
Relevant skills and experience of working in a laboratory role, particularly in nanometre-resolution neuroanatomy labelling and reconstruction tools using software tools such as Fiji, CATMAID and FlyWire.

A PhD in a relevant subject or due to complete within 6 months.

Previous work experience required: 

Essential:
Independent dry lab work including tracing neurons by hand in CATMAID software, annotating synapses by hand in CATMAID software, and proofreading neurons with FlyWire software.

Experience and theoretical knowledge of larval fruit fly neuroanatomy at nanometre scale as imaged with electron microscopy.

Experience in crafting and executing python scripts for retrieving data from online databases, analysing the neuroanatomy of neurons as defined by spatial coordinates (the arbours) and graph relationships (synapses), and pushing annotations back to the databases using the CATMAID API.

Experience in generating and curating ground truth data for training machine learning classifiers to segment neurons and detect synapses.

Desirable:
Experience in working in a laboratory environment, mentoring fellow research scientists, reviewing their work in segmenting and labelling neurons and synapses, and communicating with computer scientists across the discipline divide for effective delivery of high-performance machine learning approaches to neuron segmentation, synapse annotation, and proofreading. 

Knowledge and experience: 

Creativity and initiative
Essential: 
Ability to plan and carry out experiments, collate and analyse data, using python scripts that use the Navis/Pymaid framework for accessing CATMAID databases.

Understanding of lab health and safety.

Previous experience working with and training students.

Desirable:
Practical experience of running and maintaining scientific equipment.

Independent working
Essential: 
Proven skills in working independently and as part of a team with minimal supervision; good judgment in assessing when to ask for support.

Can independently advance existing techniques and implement new methods for connectomics.

Working with others
Essential:
Ability to work and communicate effectively with colleagues as part of a team.

Ability to train and supervise team members

Verbal and written communication skills
Essential:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Experience of giving presentations.

Desirable: 
Has made contributions to scientific papers.

Personal skills / behaviours / qualities: 

Reliability and enthusiasm.

Strong organisational skills. Methodical and thorough.

Passion for science and a desire to continue to develop skills and knowledge.

Proactive in seeking solutions to problems and keen to take responsibility.

Ability to work as part of a team.

You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI: 
•    Code of Conduct
•    Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
•    Health and Safety policy
•    Data Protection policy

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal.  Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager.

The above lists are not exhaustive, and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post.  All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI.  

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.