View Vacancy -- MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 2350

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:

A new opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to undertake multidisciplinary mass spectrometry applied vitamin D research using our recently established analytical chemistry laboratory.

The vitamin D bioanalysis research group is headed by Dr. Carl Jenkinson, under the direction of Wiekbe Alt (LMS Director), and focuses on understanding the role of vitamin D metabolism and function on human physiology and health using mass spectrometry applications. The main aim of the research project is to shed light on the circulating, excretory and tissue metabolism and physiology of vitamin D. The research project will focus on how different vitamin D metabolism pathways, its deficiency and sufficiency, and the role of supplementation influences the overall function of vitamin D and its impact on health outcomes. Specifically, investigating underexplored areas of metabolism including conjugation.

A range of techniques will be used including liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry, mass spectrometry imaging, alongside isotope-labelling and conjugation metabolomics. These techniques will be applied to the analysis of observational and clinical cohorts across diverse population and health contexts.

The post is a unique opportunity to work on developing and applying cutting-edge clinical mass spectrometry applications in one of the leading research environments in the world. The post holder will have the opportunity to work with a worldwide network of collaborators, attend scientific conferences, and publish the results of their work in top journals.  

Job Summary:

The post holder will have a background in analytical chemistry and endocrinology or a related field, with a record of accomplishments indicating the ability to perform analysis, visualisation, and dissemination of multi metabolite data produced by mass spectrometry method developments and measurements from biological samples.

The post holder is expected to have proficiency in liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry, including method development, sample measurements of biological samples and data analysis. You should be excited about vitamin D biochemistry, endocrinology, mass spectrometry and open to learn the languages of other scientific disciplines, specifically quantitative sciences.

There will be opportunities within the post to support with the supervision of students and contribute to the smooth running of the research group such as writing abstracts, original research and review articles, conference presentations and contributing with grant proposals.

Main Responsibilities:

Method development and validation using mass spectrometry for novel approaches to define vitamin D deficiency and sufficiency, alongside data and statistical analysis, and visualisation of metabolism data from sample cohorts using multiple analytical platforms. An overview of these tasks and responsibilities include:

• To plan, carry out, and analyse research in accordance with the agreed project aims
• To attend all lab and related research meetings, and to present work when required
• To attend training courses were required and support with laboratory compliance e.g Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP)
• To attend and contribute to journal clubs and seminar presentations
• To take an active part in the academic activities of the LMS including equality, diversity and inclusion as well outreach and public engagement
• To keep up to date with the scientific literature and technical advances relevant to the project
• To present data at national and international meetings (where and when appropriate)
• To interact and collaborate with researchers in related projects
• To take an active part in the academic and research activities of the LMS
• To write up work for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• To form good working relationships with other members of the group, as well as internal and external collaborators
• To assist others and co-supervise students when required
• To contribute to the development and maintenance of the group’s experimental infrastructure as appropriate
• To help with the daily running of the lab by assisting with general lab duties as required, in collaboration with the lab manager

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

Essential:

• PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant analytical biochemistry, metabolism, molecular biology or related discipline
• First author publication in a respected journal

Desirable:

• Training courses undertaken for Good Clinical Laboratory Practice, alongside other technical training that can be applied in this role

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

Essential:

• Experience in liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and bioassay techniques, including method development techniques, and data quantitation and analysis
• Experience of clinical chemistry techniques including sample extraction and bioanalytical method validation for biological samples (serum, tissues)
• Experience of metabolism and relevant techniques tor analysis of multi metabolomic data
• An excellent track record of independent research

Desirable:

• Metabolism and metabolomics (vitamin D and endocrinology metabolism)
• Biochemical techniques, including in vitro enzyme assays, proteomics
• Mass spectrometry imaging
• Basic troubleshooting knowledge for ultra-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry platforms
• Proficiency in data analytics and statistics (ideally data science programmes (R, Python) and mass spectrometry analysis software (e.g Waters MassLynx)

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

 Essential:

• A good understanding of endocrinology and analytical biochemistry, particularly in metabolism and molecular mechanisms
• Evidence of establishing and optimising mass spectrometry assays, and their translational applications
• An excellent track record of independent research as demonstrated by publication in international peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations (poster or talk)
• Ability to support and train junior PhD and group members
• Excellent written communication skills in English, with the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Good Clinical Laboratory Practice Guidelines or ISO regulations for analysis of clinical studies

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

Essential:

• Ability to conduct research independently and collaborate as part of a team (both in situ and remotely with international collaborators)
• A desire to learn and acquire new skills and to pro-actively seek novel and creative solutions to scientific problems
• A willingness to share knowledge and skills with other members of the group on a daily basis to benefit the Institute as a whole
• Strong presentation skills
• Ability to convey ideas to a wide range of audiences
• Ability to reflect on ones own work, and to identify areas to learn from
• Excellent verbal communication skills in English