View Vacancy -- Microscopist LMS 2546

Open Date
14/01/2025, 16:00
Close Date
16/02/2025, 23:55
MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences
As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum salary criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK.  At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK.  You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y

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. 

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

MRC - 5
London
£30,911 - £32,843 plus London allowance £5,385 per annum
Permanent
Technical & Scientific Professionals
Full Time

Overall Purpose:

Advanced light microscopical techniques are invaluable tools to study many biological problems. Research in the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences covers a wide range of topics from the subcellular localization of proteins to studying the development of entire organisms and is supported by a well-equipped and expanding light microscopy facility which comprises several confocal microscopes, super-resolution instruments for SIM, STORM and STED, a light-sheet setups as well as a variety of widefield fluorescence microscopes including a slide scanner and a laser-microdissection platform.

The post-holder will provide user training on the different microscope systems and technical support on all aspects of optical imaging. This will also involve participation in research projects.

Working Relationships:

The post-holder will report to the Head of the Microscopy facility, Dr Dirk Dormann, and collaborate with other facility staff.  Due to the training and support role, the post-holder will interact with a large number of facility users. The post holder will liaise with external companies and engineers to arrange system service and repair.

 

Main duties / key responsibilities

  • Training users on facility microscope systems, this involves teaching the correct and safe use of light microscopes and the associated hard-and software
  • Supporting and advising facility users on experimental design and imaging techniques
  • Troubleshooting of microscope and imaging problems reported by users
  • Ensure optimum performance of the instruments, carry out routine maintenance of the imaging systems; arrange service and repair of equipment as well as data management and backup
  • Collaborating with LMS groups on specific research projects involving microscopic imaging and assisting with image processing/analysis

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

Essential:

  • Science degree in relevant area or equivalent relevant experience

 

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

Essential:

  • Proven research experience using fluorescence imaging techniques including confocal microscopy

Desirable:

  • Familiarity with Leica confocal microscopes

 

Application Area Specific Skills (will be assessed from application form and at interview):

Essential:

  • Sound understanding of light microscopical principles and techniques
  • A good understanding of all aspects of digital imaging from acquisition to image processing and analysis (hard-and software)
  • Experience in relevant software packages for microscopic imaging, image processing and visualisation

 

Computer Skills (will be assessed from application form and at interview):

Essential:

  • Advanced computer skills on different platforms (PC/Apple)

Desirable:

  • Experience in computer programming for image analysis (for example ImageJ macro scripting or Python)

 

Communication Skills (will be assessed from application form and at interview):

Essential:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with facility users

Desirable:

  • Previous experience of supporting and training others scientists in microscopy and imaging

 

Personal skills/behaviours/qualities (will be assessed at the interview):

  • Motivated and enthusiastic individual who enjoys the interaction with a large number of facility users
  • Interested in learning and applying new imaging techniques
  • Ability to work cooperatively in a small team as well as independently
Please upload your CV, names and contacts of two references along with a covering letter describing how you fit the person specifications and your motivation for the post. Please quote reference number LMS 2546.

The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of  training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council.

In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave),  a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.  Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits

Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them.   As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and 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.

This opportunity is closed to applications.