Senior Laboratory Research Scientist - Chemical Biology STP

Reports to Head, Chemical Biology Science Technology Platform. This is a full-time, fixed term (three-year) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

About the role

This exciting research project is a cross-Francis Crick Institute collaboration focussing on the translation of cutting-edge research led by Dr. Simon Boulton and carried out in the Double Strand Break (DSB) Metabolism Laboratory. Researchers in the DSB Metabolism Laboratory have identified several cellular processes that contribute alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism of telomere maintenance present in a sub set cancers (ALT positive cancers). This collaboration aims to translate the new ALT biology insights from the DSB Metabolism Laboratory into therapies to treat ALT positive cancers.

This position will give scientists the opportunity to gain experience of drug discovery interfaced with cutting-edge disease biology, with guidance from experienced pharmaceutical research experts and world leaders in the field of DNA Damage Repair. This work is funded through a 3-year £3M programme of work supported by the philanthropic Chris Banton fund and LifeArc. The project brings together a growing team of scientists working across several laboratories and scientific technology platforms (STPs) at the Francis Crick Institute.

What you will be doing

We are seeking an ambitious and creative cellular assay biologist, with small molecule discovery experience, to join the Chemical Biology STP at the Francis Crick Institute. The successful applicant will work flexibly across the Chemical Biology and High Throughput Screening STPs, drawing on the expertise and capability to be found in both groups. You will be an integral part of the ongoing drug discovery project to identify, characterise and optimise chemical leads for the newly elucidated ALT-dependent cellular processes. The ALT project is highly multidisciplinary, comprising scientists from a variety of backgrounds in an integrated academia-industry setting. In collaboration with the ALT project team, you will develop assays to support the elucidation of detailed molecular mechanism of action of new chemical tools and will work with disease biologists to translate these findings into more biologically relevant systems. You will also work with medicinal and computational chemists to help optimise the chemical tools, designing assay systems to inform on structure activity relationships and drive compound optimisation. You will be a goal-orientated multitasker and an independent thinker, with the ability to initiate and run projects, as well as co-lead collaborative teams, taking advantage of the many training opportunities this work will provide. If you are someone who thrives in dynamic, fast-paced and creative environments, this may be a great opportunity for you to join the lab and this project.

As a Senior Laboratory Research Scientist at the Crick, you will:

• Have a responsibility for assay development, screening and mechanistic studies for one of the protein targets of interest.
• Develop, optimise and routinely use cellular mechanistic assays, such as NanoBRET to elucidate cell target engagement and intracellular residence time.
• Optimise and implement biochemical (FP, TR-FRET, FLINT, Alpha) and biophysical (SPR, DSF, Nanotemper) assays to identify and optimise hits to generate high quality ALT tool compounds.
• Establish new capability and technologies to enable novel insights into the ALT targets.

About you

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: Bold, Open, and Collegial, in addition to the following:

Essential:

• PhD (or equivalent experience level) in a relevant discipline such as cell or molecular biology, biochemistry or chemical biology.
• A strong track record of developing and carrying out innovative assay solutions to address chemical biology or medicinal chemistry questions in academic or industrial research, ideally supported by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Practical experience of mammalian cell culture techniques for the development of recombinant cellular assays.
• Experience and knowledge of cellular target engagement technologies such as NanoBRET.
• Knowledge and/or practical experience of molecular biology (for the preparation of recombinant proteins or cellular assays) and protein biology.

About Working at the Crick

Our values: Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture! We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community. At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we will make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: weronika.kucala@crick.ac.uk.

What will you receive?

At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:

• Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK.
• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
• Health & Well-being: 24/7 GP consultation services, occupational health services and mental health support programs, eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
• Work-Life Balance: Back-up care for dependents, childcare support allowance, annual leave purchase options.
• Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
• Perks: Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts, subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.
• Development & Recognition: Comprehensive training, mentoring, and a pay structure with performance-linked progression.