View Vacancy -- Senior Investigator Scientist - Neurobiology - Dr Albert Cardona - LMB 2764 in Cambridge

Overview

The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of techniques including protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. The LMB aims to understand biological processes at the molecular level to tackle problems in human health and disease, with investment over many years.

There are four scientific Divisions: Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. Collaboration between Divisions is extensive. Scientists are supported by facilities and the LMB Operations Group which maintains core infrastructure and services. The LMB provides an environment for both new and established researchers. Scientists are drawn from around the world, creating an international community for idea exchange and technical innovation.

Overall purpose: To lead on a range of projects within the group of Dr Albert Cardona at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), as part of an overall programme studying the neural circuit basis of behaviour. Specifically, to map the connectome of whole brains, designing, building and using machine learning approaches to computer vision as applied to volume electron microscopy of whole brains.

Main Duties:

• Under the general leadership of the Group Leader, be responsible for all aspects of the research projects: defining the direction, conducting the research, analysing data, preparing for publication and disseminating results at meetings.
• Present work at seminars within the laboratory and at external meetings.
• Contribute to laboratory-wide discussions on developments, particularly in new techniques or equipment.
• Contribute to the overall preparation of research for publication.
• Disseminate findings through publications, presentations and reports to support the division's mission.
• Identify, develop and apply a broad range of techniques to pursue objectives.
• Keep up to date with field developments and propose or implement changes as needed.
• Train students, Postdoctoral Scientists and others; line management of group members where appropriate.
• Contribute to the MRC's engagement with the public and translation of research findings into health improvements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Undertake cutting-edge research within the remit of the group, providing intellectual energy and independent thinking to deliver the research and shape the group's aims and success.
• Work independently to solve problems, integrating activities to ensure successful delivery.
• Introduce and apply new techniques across disciplines and develop novel approaches.
• Interact effectively with staff, students and others to ensure smooth running of the group; set an example in resource use, train others in methods and equipment, and manage communal facilities.
• Take on responsibility for equipment management and for writing scientific papers and presenting at internal meetings and conferences.
• Ensure research is conducted to good practice and compliance with local policies and legal requirements.
• Recognise opportunities for IP creation and cooperate in patent protection and exploitation.
• Secure external funding and staffing by preparing grant applications and developing protocols.
• Manage existing and establish new collaborations within the division, the LMB, and external establishments.
• Maintain a broad perspective on current scientific issues, especially those related to software engineering and systems administration in relation to volume electron microscopy-based connectomics.
• Agree the overall strategic direction of the research and take managerial and budgetary responsibility for projects, including external funding procurement.
• Line management responsibilities will be undertaken in accordance with UKRI policies; training will be provided if necessary.

Working Relationships:

You will report to Dr Albert Cardona and liaise with other Research Support staff, Postdoctoral Scientists and students, within your group, across the LMB and with external collaborators.

Person Specification:

• PhD in a relevant biological subject, or MSc/MPhil plus substantial industry experience in computer vision and machine learning.
• Extensive experience analysing imagery of neurons, handling large confocal microscopy stacks, registering multi-terabyte EM image series, setting up cluster computing routines for automated data analysis, system administration skills for petabyte-scale data storage and databases, and programming in Python, JavaScript, SQL, and other languages.
• Experience in developing novel algorithms and publishing in journals or conferences.
• Experience with PyTorch and GPU execution, plus familiarity with Rust, Java, C++, and JavaScript is desirable.
• Comfortable demonstrating or learning Linux or BSD systems, performing system administration on servers, and running software on GPU/CPU clusters for HPC.

Technical Skills And Expertise:

• Significant experience in cutting-edge research relevant to the project and knowledge of the field.
• Background in bioimage informatics with expertise in signal processing and instance segmentation, ideally in EM volumes, and experience writing custom software for image processing/analysis.

Particularly Useful Experience And Knowledge:

• Development and application of cluster computing pipelines to process large image volumes.
• CATMAID, Fiji, BiaPy and other open-source platforms for neuroscience imagery.
• Knowledge of Drosophila larval neuroanatomy and NBLAST for neuron identification by morphology.
• Managing large datasets with Linux/*BSD, PostgreSQL.
• Python programming with evidence in version-controlled codebases.
• GPU and CPU clusters; implementing algorithms in version-controlled software packages.
• Setting up datasets in FlyWire; cloud computing with AWS or similar; programming in Python, Bash, R, Java, C++, SQL, JavaScript.
• Experience with version control systems and software deployment for others.

Additionally, the candidate should have evidence of: write manuscripts, travel to conferences, travel for collaboration.

Track Record Of Research:

Disclosures of discoveries, significant achievements and preferably first-author publications.

Other Relevant Evidence Of:

• Independent working and decision making.
• Excellent standards of research conduct.
• Mentoring.
• Originality.
• Influencing skills.
• Communication skills.
• Leadership.

Additional Information:

Ability to travel internationally to scientific conferences and for extended visits to other laboratories. Applicants are required to submit a full CV and covering letter.

You must at all times carry out responsibilities with regard to the UKRI policies: Code of Conduct, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Health and Safety, Data Protection. Job descriptions should be reviewed regularly and changes agreed with your manager. The role may include duties within the scope of the post as requested. All employees must act professionally and flexibly. The role requires appropriate security screening; UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run clearances as required during employment.

The MRC offers benefits including pension and holiday entitlements, family-friendly policies, discounts and wellbeing support. We encourage diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including those who identify as having a disability. As a Disability Confident employer, shortlisted candidates meeting essential criteria will be invited for interview. UKRI supports research in areas including bioscience, health research, and related fields. Pre-employment checks will be conducted for all offers.