At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team studying the gut-brain-immune axis to improve human health.
- Company: MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, a leading biomedical research institute.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in groundbreaking research at the intersection of neuroscience and immunology.
- Qualifications: PhD in neuroscience, endocrinology, or immunology with advanced mouse skills.
The predicted salary is between 42694 - 42694 £ per year.
MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the Gut-Brain-Immune Axis
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 looking for projects that solve transdisciplinary problems to improve human health? The Wong lab is seeking a postdoctoral scientist to join our team to study gut hormones and the gut-brain-immune axis in vivo. We are a newly established research group based at the MRC LMS, focused on investigating how gut hormones and related peptides modulate systemic and tissue-specific inflammation by bridging the disciplines of endocrinology, immunology, and neuroscience, using an integrative approach of in vivo and ex vivo models complemented by in vitro mechanistic studies and in silico computational analysis. Our research program stems from foundational work defining the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of GLP-1 receptor agonists. One of our group’s current focuses is to explore how gut hormones and related peptides modulate peripheral inflammation via central and peripheral nervous systems.
About You
You will hold a PhD (or equivalent experience) and have a strong background in one or more of these areas (neuroscience, endocrinology, or immunology), with at least one first‑author publication in a peer‑reviewed journal. You must have advanced in vivo mouse skills, including colony management, handling, and survival surgeries (intracranial or peripheral nerve), enabling you to independently design, lead, and execute mouse neuroscience projects.
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.
*Additional allowances comprise a £1,000 lump sum Settlement Allowance plus a yearly Training Allowance of £850 in the first year, paid in monthly instalments. The Training Allowance increases to £1,300 in year two and £1,800 in the third year.
Closing date: 7 June 2026
Final appointment will be subject to pre‑employment screening. Please note that applications may be reviewed by both LMS and Imperial staff.
Postdoctoral Research Scientist employer: MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences
The MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and innovative work environment in the heart of London. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide extensive benefits including a generous pension scheme, 30 days of holiday, and family-friendly policies, ensuring a supportive atmosphere for our researchers. Joining our team means contributing to groundbreaking research while enjoying access to health and wellbeing support, making it a truly rewarding place to advance your career.
Contact Details:
MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Research Scientist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former researchers at the MRC LMS or related institutions. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the lab's recent publications. Knowing their work inside out shows genuine interest and helps you connect your skills to their projects. Plus, it gives you great talking points!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! If you've got advanced in vivo mouse skills, make sure to highlight specific projects where you’ve used them. Real examples can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your relevant experience in neuroscience, endocrinology, or immunology. We want to see how your skills align with the exciting projects at the Wong lab!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about the gut-brain-immune axis and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Showcase Your Publications:Since we’re looking for candidates with at least one first-author publication, make sure to highlight this prominently in your application. We love seeing your research contributions!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your materials and keep everything organised. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences
✨Know Your Research
Dive deep into the current projects of the Wong lab and understand their focus on gut hormones and the gut-brain-immune axis. Familiarise yourself with their recent publications, especially the ones authored by Wong, as this will show your genuine interest and help you engage in meaningful discussions during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your advanced in vivo mouse skills in detail. Prepare specific examples of your experience with colony management, handling, and survival surgeries. Highlight any independent projects you've led, as this will demonstrate your capability to design and execute complex neuroscience studies.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to endocrinology, immunology, and neuroscience. Brush up on key concepts and methodologies in these fields. Practising answers to potential questions can help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the lab's future projects, collaborations with Imperial College, and how they envision the role of a postdoctoral scientist contributing to their research goals. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you assess if the lab is the right fit for you.
