Principal Laboratory Research Scientist

Contract term: This is a permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Provide senior level support to a Group Leader either in a lab management role or as a technical expert. May have an established scientific reputation.

The Role

The role of a Principal Laboratory Research Scientist in the Crick is diverse and rewarding. The role covers a wide range of different functions and allows for continuity of lab operations. The role offers support to one or more scientific projects or programmes. Typical activities include:

• Independently undertaking own research projects, designing, and executing experiments with strategic direction from the group leader.
• Providing experimental or technical support to other lab members.
• Assisting the Group Leader in writing grant applications and managing research group governance.
• Whenever required, deputising for the Group Leader at internal Crick meetings.
• Managing long-term collaborations with other researchers.
• Participating in academic activities including presentations at lab meetings, Interest Group seminars, and external scientific meetings.
• Writing up scientific findings for publication and completing revisions.
• Organisation and management of the laboratory, including maintaining laboratory databases and stocks, ordering of laboratory supplies, monitoring budgets, and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Writing risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures.

The Research Group

We are seeking an enthusiastic and ambitious Principal Laboratory Research Scientist to join the Tissue Regeneration and Clonal Evolution (TRCE) laboratory. We are a multi-disciplinary research group with a mission to understand the factors underlying an organ’s regenerative capacity in order to design novel therapeutics to augment biological function.

We use the liver as a model organ since it has extraordinary regenerative abilities. We have already identified several interesting genes in metabolic pathways which we hypothesise are important in allowing liver cells to survive better in pathological conditions (Ng. et al, Nature, 2021). We aim to elucidate the functional consequences of mutations in these genes and unravel how these molecular perturbations influence hepatocyte clonal biology and the mechanisms of tissue regeneration. We model these recurrent human somatic driver mutations using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (Rouhani et al. Nature Genetics, 2022), organoids, and bio-engineered tissues. We are also developing and applying new technologies in single molecule spatial genomics and in vivo gene editing. Our long-term vision is to be able to apply our findings to stimulate regeneration in other non-proliferative tissues, discover the process of organ ageing, and to elucidate the molecular steps to cancer.

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated senior scientist to be heavily involved in the start-up of a major laboratory and to provide senior level support in broad scientific management for the research group. Alongside providing technical assistance to other lab members, there will be opportunities and strong encouragement to lead independent projects in areas such as in vivo gene editing and liver epigenetics.

Key responsibilities

These include but are not limited to:

• Independently devising and leading projects within the TRCE research program.
• Establishing new methodologies in the lab.
• Maintaining laboratory organisation and supplies.
• Supporting the Group Leader in day-to-day operations.
• Deputising for the Group Leader when unavailable.
• Training and supporting lab members in standard operating procedures.
• Facilitating collaborations within and outside the Crick.
• Provision of technical and research support in the area of human stem cell biology including the tissue culture of pluripotent stem cells and organoids.
• Human cell engineering encompassing molecular biology and CRISPR/Cas gene editing.
• Management of regulatory protocols and research governance for the lab.

Experience and Competencies

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values:

Bold; Open; Collegial

• PhD in cell biology, genetics, genomics, or a relevant scientific discipline.
• Substantial post-PhD experience using in vitro and in vivo models.
• Strong research track record evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.
• Strong communication skills to audiences of varied expertise.
• Proven track record of laboratory managerial and leadership skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Experience in facilitating collaborations.
• Experience in training/mentoring others, including PhD supervision.
• Ability to develop new scientific research methods and contribute to research strategy.
• Scientific curiosity and enthusiasm for cutting-edge discovery science.
• Expertise in epigenetics, CRISPR/Cas genetic engineering (knockouts and single-base editing), or metabolism research.
• Experience in human organoid and stem cell culture techniques.
• Experience in using animal models and in vivo experiments.
• Proficiency in bioinformatics, DNA/RNA sequencing, and software for CRISPR/Cas editing strategies.
• Proven track record of leading independent projects and/or technology development.

About Us

At the Crick, we conduct research at the forefront of biomedical research. We combine rigor with an open and collaborative culture, and are outward-looking, reflecting our status as a partnership of six organisations aiming to pool knowledge, ideas, and resources.

We have a wide research portfolio with no divisions or departments, bringing biomedical researchers together with clinicians, physical scientists, and applied scientists from our pharmaceutical partners.

We aim to attract the most talented researchers and support them to tackle innovative research questions. Our science technology platforms provide our researchers with access to state-of-the-art technology and expertise.

We provide an excellent learning environment with dedicated education programmes in public engagement with science, education, and personal development, and a postdoc training programme that prepares scientists for leadership roles in science.

• If you are interested in applying for this role, please apply via our website.
• All offers of employment are subject to successful security screening and continuous eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.
• If you require a visa to work in the UK, we will help support your application should you be successful.