View Vacancy -- MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 2488

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.

Overall Purpose

The Development and Transcriptional control group, headed by Dr Vicki Metzis, is based at the MRC LMS, a biomedical institute based at Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital campus.

Our group is investigating how regional identity is established in embryos, how this process impacts cellular diversity, and ultimately, the form and function of the mammalian body. This includes the development and differentiation of neural crest cells, a progenitor population that generates a wide variety of cell types. Our approach is multidisciplinary, combining expertise we have established in mouse developmental genetics, the directed differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells, and genome engineering. Our in vitro models of development are amenable to quantitative and mechanistic studies, and allow us to make direct comparisons with the corresponding cell types produced in vivo in mouse embryos.

We are seeking to appoint a postdoctoral research scientist to join our team to further develop novel methodologies and tools to elucidate how regionalization events impact body plan patterning. This role would suit a creative experimentalist who is enthusiastic to explore some of the lab’s main questions, and/or to develop their own questions within the group’s main area of expertise.

Main duties / key responsibilities:

• To think independently, design experiments and conduct high-quality research in line with the agreed project aims
• To critically analyse and present data, ensuring reliability, reproducibility and statistical robustness
• To keep abreast of current published research and preprints, and integrate findings into own project ideas and techniques
• To develop new techniques and protocols as necessary for the project
• To attend all lab and related research meetings, and to present work when required
• To assist others and co-supervise students when required
• To attend and contribute to journal clubs and seminar presentations
• To present data at national and international meetings (where and when appropriate)
• To help with the daily running of the lab by assisting with general lab duties as required
• To form good working relationships with other members of the group as well as internal and external collaborators

Additional information:

Applicants should have a PhD (or be in the final stages of completing one) in a relevant discipline, a commitment to scientific excellence, and be enthusiastic to work as part of a team.

This is an MRC Postdoctoral Scientist position to support post-doctoral training and help establish successful research scientists in their chosen field. During the fellowship tenure we are committed to provide mentorship for career development and improvement of communication skills. We also offer a highly attractive benefits package including competitive salary and salary pension scheme.

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

Essential:

• PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant biology field (e.g., molecular biology; cell biology; biochemistry; developmental biology; genetics), or in the final stages of completing a PhD

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

Essential:

• Significant practical expertise in molecular biology techniques such as PCR, cloning, CRISPR/Cas9
• Experience in design, generation and validation of new mammalian cell lines (eg. knockouts, reporters, epitope-tagging etc)
• Significant practical expertise in mammalian cell culture techniques

Desirable:

• Previous experience working with mouse embryonic stem cells as in vitro models of development and/or mouse embryos or similar model organisms
• Previous experience in modifying embryonic stem cells using genome engineering approaches
• Previous experience in generating and/or analysing high throughput sequencing data, such as ChIP-seq, and/or Cut&Run

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

Essential:

• Strong conceptual background and interest in at least one of the following: gene regulation in development; mouse developmental genetics; neural crest development
• Excellent written communication skills in English

Desirable:

• One or more first-author publications either in a peer-reviewed international journal or available as a preprint
• Previous experience in presenting scientific data at national or international scientific conferences

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

Essential:

• Enthusiastic about working as part of a team
• Ability to conduct research independently, including conceiving, designing and executing experiments, analysing the results and presenting to the group
• Eager to learn and acquire new skills, technique troubleshooting, and ability to seek creative solutions to scientific problems
• Willingness to work flexible hours according to the project needs, and to travel nationally and internationally for research and/or conference attendance
• Excellent verbal communication skills in English

Applicants should submit a CV, a brief cover letter describing scientific interests and names and contacts of two scientific references.

Applications without a supporting covering letter will not be considered.

Please quote reference number LMS 2488.