Postdoctoral Fellow- Nurse Lab

Salary for this Role: From £47,500 with benefits, subject to skills and experience.

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 a wide range of biomedical research activities. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where researchers 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.

The Nurse Lab investigates one of the most fundamental questions in biology: how cells control their division. Using the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a powerful model system for eukaryotic cells, the lab studies how Cyclin Dependent Kinases (CDKs) coordinate DNA replication, mitosis and cell division and control progression through the cell cycle. Our research combines cell biology, molecular genetics, biochemistry and systems biology approaches to uncover the fundamental mechanisms that govern the eukaryotic cell cycle.

We are seeking a creative and highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to investigate the mechanisms controlling eukaryotic cell cycle progression. You will lead an independent research project within the lab exploring how CDK activity is regulated and coordinates key cell cycle events. Depending on your research interests, your work could investigate areas including the G1/S transition, mitotic onset, nuclear transport of cell cycle regulators, CDK substrate phosphorylation or the role of chromatin in CDK regulation.

This is an exciting opportunity to tackle fundamental questions in cell biology within a highly collaborative environment, with scope to develop new approaches, contribute to wider projects and to learn how to support PhD researchers.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading an independent research project investigating cell cycle regulation.
• Designing and carrying out experiments using cell biology, molecular genetics and biochemical approaches.
• Analysing CDK regulation and its role in DNA replication, mitosis and cell cycle control.
• Developing and applying new experimental approaches, with training provided where required.
• Collaborating with other lab researchers and contributing to wider lab projects.
• Communicating research findings through publications and scientific presentations.
• Supporting and guiding PhD students where appropriate.

You will have:

• PhD in cell biology, molecular genetics, biochemistry, or a related discipline.
• Strong experimental design and data interpretation skills.
• Ability to independently develop and deliver a research project.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment.
• Strong scientific communication and presentation skills.
• A proactive, creative and curious approach to solving challenging biological questions.

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.

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.
• Work-Life Balance: Back-up care for dependents, childcare support allowance, annual leave purchase options.
• Perks: Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.
• Career support: A Post-doc to PI programme and other career development activities.

The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical discovery institute researching the biology underlying human health. Our work is helping to understand why disease develops and to translate discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infections and neurodegenerative diseases.