View Vacancy -- MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Plant Bioengineering LMS 2727

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:

We are a team of six people based at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences. We love seeing our work going all the way from basic science discoveries to real-life technology or a product. We are interested in understanding how to design plant responses and development, and in the next three years we aim to progress towards creating plants with various designer traits. The work will include plant transformation, and experiments in plant tissue culture, focusing on how to create complex traits with low burden.

In the last several years, we mainly worked on engineering bioluminescence in plants (https://light.bio/), and understanding the structure-function relationship in proteins (https://www.nature.com/articles/nature17995).

Our current focus is on applying synthetic biology to design plants with agricultural and aesthetic applications.

For more information about the lab, visit our website: https://www.designing.bio/

Key Responsibilities

• To take initiatives in the planning of research
• To identify and develop suitable techniques, and apparatus, for the collection and analysis of data
• To conduct data analysis
• To ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times
• To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings
• To write reports for submission to research sponsors
• To present findings to colleagues and at conferences
• To submit publications to refereed journals
• To provide guidance to staff and students
• To attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary
• To develop contacts and research collaborations within the LMS and the wider community
• To promote the reputation of the Group, the Institute
• To provide guidance to PhD Students
• To conduct and plan own scientific work with appropriate supervision
• To maintain highly organised and accurate record of experimental work
• To actively participate in the research programme of the Group
• To publish in high quality journals and to present data at national and international meetings
• To participate in Group research meetings and internal seminars
• To collaborate with other allied scientists within UKRI, Imperial College and elsewhere in London and abroad, as appropriate
• To contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s laboratories and, facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories
• Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and research assistants as required
• To comply with the Institute, College, Division, and Unit safety practices and to attend courses on safety when appropriate
• Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group as well as Head of Institute/ /Department/Section

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

Essential:

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in research, industrial or commercial experience

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

Essential:

• Knowledge of plant biology
• Knowledge of research methods and statistical procedures
• Practical experience in molecular biology techniques
• Practical experience within a research environment and / or publication in relevant and refereed journals
• Experience in plant biology and plant transformation
• One first-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal

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

Essential:

• Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature
• Ability to develop and apply new concepts
• Creative approach to problem-solving
• Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication
• Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision
• Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
• Advanced computer skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets and the Internet
• Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative
• Flexible attitude towards work
• Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times
• Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role
• Willingness to travel both within the United Kingdom and abroad to conduct research and attend conferences
• Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if the requirements of the project demand

Applicants should submit a CV, names and contacts of two scientific references along with a cover letter stating why you are applying for this role (providing evidence against the requirements of the job as per the job description and person specification). Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted. Please quote reference number LMS 2727.

Please note that applications may be reviewed by both LMS and Imperial staff

This role qualifies for endorsement by UKRI for a UK Global Talent Visa, for which the successful applicant is likely to be eligible to apply. We will also reimburse the cost of visa application (terms and conditions apply).