At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative research on tuberculosis survival using cutting-edge techniques.
- Company: Join the Francis Crick Institute, Europe's largest biomedical research hub.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and extensive health support.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career growth and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in global health while collaborating with top scientists.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and strong experience in molecular genetics required.
The predicted salary is between 45500 - 45500 £ per year.
Salary for this Role: From £45,500 per annum with benefits, subject to skills and experience.
Reports to: Eachan Johnson, Group Leader
Closing Date: 02/May/2026 23.59 GMT
Contract term: This is a full-time, fixed term (4 years) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.
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.
About the Systems Chemical Biology of Infection and Resistance Lab
The lab, which opened in January 2021 and is supported by Crick core funding, the UKRI Horizon Europe Guarantee, BBSRC and the Gates Foundation, explores how pathogenic bacteria survive and cause infection. Working at the interface of genetics, chemical biology and machine learning, the team develops small molecules to disrupt key bacterial processes and understand their impact on survival, infection and resistance. We have developed approaches to study multiple bacterial pathogens in parallel, with a primary focus on Klebsiella pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The work aims to inform next-generation antimicrobial therapies.
About the Project
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to spearhead a project exploring how Mycobacterium tuberculosis survives drug treatment. Using CRISPRi-based genetic screens and single-cell approaches, you will investigate how gene expression variability drives drug-tolerant subpopulations. This role sits at the intersection of molecular genetics, chemical biology and data science, with strong scope for innovation and collaboration. Working closely with the team, you will drive experimental design, develop new methods, analyse large-scale datasets and contribute to publications. You will also support training and help foster a collaborative lab environment.
What you’ll be doing
- Designing experiments and research strategy in consultation with the PI
- Carrying out experiments and analysing data
- Keeping accurate and timely records of their work
- Engaging in professional development and growth
- Liaising with external collaborators
- Presenting work at Lab meetings, conferences and consortium meetings
- Drafting manuscripts for publication
About you
Essential:
- PhD (or near completion) in biological engineering, chemistry, chemical biology, molecular biology, microbiology or a related field.
- Strong experience in bacterial molecular genetics, including CRISPRi and familiarity with high-containment laboratory environments.
- Experience with flow cytometry, ideally within bacterial systems.
- Solid understanding of next-generation sequencing and core bacterial processes (replication, transcription and translation).
- Experience analysing large biological datasets using Python or R.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, with strong organisation, attention to detail and communication skills.
- Clear motivation to apply interdisciplinary and quantitative approaches to scientific research.
Desirable
- Experience working with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Experience in high-throughput screening.
- Experience facilitating scientific collaborations.
- Familiarity with public health challenges related to tuberculosis.
- Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC).
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: ruby.oluwafemi@crick.ac.uk.
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. Career support: A Post-doc to PI programme and other career development activities.
Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.
We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.
Postdoctoral Fellow - Johnson Lab employer: Crick Group
Contact Detail:
Crick Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Fellow - Johnson Lab
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former members of the Johnson Lab on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the lab!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the lab's recent publications. Knowing their work inside out will help you impress them with your enthusiasm and understanding of their research focus.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills align with their needs, especially around CRISPRi and data analysis. Keep it concise but impactful – you want to leave them wanting to know more!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Crick community. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Fellow - Johnson Lab
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Keep it concise and focused, highlighting your passion for the role and how your experience aligns with the lab's goals. Make sure to address Eachan Johnson directly to show you've done your homework.
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to showcase your relevant skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your expertise in bacterial molecular genetics and any specific projects that relate to *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*.
Align Your Experience with the Criteria: In your application, clearly outline how your skills meet the essential criteria. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate your capabilities in CRISPRi, flow cytometry, and data analysis. This will help us see you as a perfect fit!
Propose an Exciting Project: When describing a project you'd like to pursue, be creative and innovative! Show us your understanding of the lab's focus and how your project could contribute to advancing research on drug-tolerant *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*. Keep it concise and engaging!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crick Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* and CRISPRi techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of bacterial molecular genetics and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the lab's focus on drug tolerance and genetic variability.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
The Johnson Lab values collaboration, so be prepared to share examples of how you've worked effectively in teams. Highlight any past experiences where you facilitated scientific collaborations or contributed to a supportive lab environment.
✨Prepare Your Project Proposal
Since you'll need to present a project idea, think creatively about how you can contribute to the lab’s research goals. Outline your proposed project clearly, focusing on its relevance to the lab's work and how it could lead to innovative solutions in antimicrobial therapies.
✨Practice Your Presentation Skills
You’ll likely need to present your work at meetings and conferences, so practice explaining your research succinctly and engagingly. Use visuals if possible, and be ready to answer questions about your methods and findings to demonstrate your expertise.