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- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to engineer plants with innovative traits and real-world applications.
- Company: MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, a leading biomedical research institute in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, family-friendly policies, and health support.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact in plant bioengineering and contribute to groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
- Qualifications: PhD in plant biology, experience in tissue culture, and a first-author publication required.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities and eligibility for UK Global Talent Visa.
The predicted salary is between 42694 - 42694 £ per year.
Salary: £42,694 plus London allowances £5,560 per annum* Fixed term (3 Years) London, UK
About us
The MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) is a biomedical research institute where scientists and clinicians collaborate to advance the understanding of biology and its application to medicine. LMS is one of three directly funded MRC research institutes and enjoys close links with our partners at Imperial College London and at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
About the role
Are you an experienced Plant Biologist? Sarkisyan lab is looking for a postdoctoral scientist to join the team as a Plant Bioengineer. We are a team of six based at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences. We love seeing our work going all the way from basic science discoveries to real‑life technology or a product. We are interested in understanding how to design plant responses and development, and in the next three years we aim to progress towards creating plants with various designer traits. In the last several years, we mainly worked on engineering bioluminescence in plants and understanding structure‑function relationship in proteins. Our current focus is on applying synthetic biology to design plants with agricultural and aesthetic applications.
About You
You will need a PhD (or equivalent experience) and be a highly motivated and skilled individual with experience with plant tissue culture and plant transformation. You are expected to have one first‑author publication on plant biology in a peer‑reviewed journal. Programming skills and experience in DNA design and assembly are desirable.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer 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.
How to apply
For full details of this post and to complete an online application, visit the MRC website and upload your CV, names and contacts of two scientific references along with a cover letter stating why you are applying for this role (providing evidence against the requirements of the job as per the job description and person specification). Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted. Please quote reference number LMS 2770.
Closing date: 1 March 2026. Final appointment will be subject to pre‑employment screening.
MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Plant Bioengineering employer: MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences
Contact Detail:
MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Plant Bioengineering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the team and the role, plus it shows our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the lab's recent projects. Knowing their work on bioluminescence and synthetic biology will help us impress them with our enthusiasm and knowledge during the chat.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our skills! Bring examples of our previous research, especially any publications or projects related to plant bioengineering. This will help us stand out as the perfect fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen. Plus, we can tailor our cover letter to highlight how our experience aligns with their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Plant Bioengineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Plant Bioengineer role. Highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with our goals at the Sarkisyan lab.
Showcase Your Publications: Since we’re looking for someone with a first-author publication, don’t forget to mention it prominently in your CV. This shows us you’ve got the chops in plant biology and can contribute to our research right away!
Tailor Your CV: Make your CV stand out by tailoring it to the job description. Focus on your skills in plant tissue culture, transformation, and any programming experience you have. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website and include all required documents. We won’t accept applications without a cover letter, so double-check that you’ve included everything before hitting send!
How to prepare for a job interview at MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences
✨Know Your Research
Dive deep into the current projects of the Sarkisyan lab, especially their work on bioluminescence and synthetic biology. Being able to discuss these topics intelligently will show your genuine interest and understanding of their work.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience with plant tissue culture and transformation in detail. Bring examples of your previous work, including your first-author publication, to demonstrate your expertise and how it aligns with the role.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Think of insightful questions about the lab's future projects or challenges they face in plant bioengineering. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also your critical thinking skills and engagement with the field.
✨Highlight Team Collaboration
Since the role involves working within a team, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in past research projects. Emphasising your teamwork skills will resonate well with the collaborative nature of the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences.